Des Houghton: The trials of a wine trail chief

Last week saw the launch of a new self-guided wine trail connecting 70 wineries throughout the state. Pity the nation’s wine chief hasn’t been to any.

I had mixed emotions at the extravagant launch this week of the $460,000 “Vine and Shine” campaign designed to lure international travellers to Queensland wine regions.

“The trail is part of a new professionally developed campaign to encourage international and local visitors alike to ‘Venture In’ from Queensland’s iconic coastline and experience the unique charm of our sun-kissed wine regions, which produces varietals found nowhere else in Australia,” gushed a media blurb.

One of the state’s best winemakers, Adrian Tobin Of Tobin Wines in his vineyard in Stanthorpe. Picture: Adam Head

Wine Australia chief Andreas Clark, answered reporters’ questions in a Zoom hook-up. But he could not tell me how many international travellers he expected the campaign to attract, or where they would come from. And when I asked how many cellar doors he had visited in Queensland, he sheepishly admitted he had not been to any. I guess he could blame Covid for that. I had intended to ask Mr Clark some more questions but was abruptly cut off by the moderator and my microphone muted. Sorry to put you on the spot Mr Clark. Perhaps we can continue our discussions another day. May I suggest we do so over a glass of Hidden Creek viognier, or perhaps a Tobin tempranillo, two stunning wines I tasted at the launch?