2013-03-28 — /travelprnews.com/ — Qantas epiQure, Wolf Blass and Lizard Island are joining forces to host an exclusive gourmet wine and dining experience for just 80 guests over the weekend of 24-26 May.
Against the backdrop of the stunning natural beauty of Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef, guests will be treated to a showcase dinner by Neil Perry, hosted by Wolfgang Blass; wine Masterclasses by Chris Hatcher, Wolf Blass Chief Winemaker showcasing the Wolf Blass Luxury Collection; and Q&A sessions with Wolfgang Blass and Neil Perry.
“Following previous gourmet experiences with acclaimed chefs Heston Blumenthal and Rene Redzepi, we are excited to present this wonderful weekend which brings together two of Australia’s most celebrated names in the food and wine industry at this spectacular location“ said Jan Rundle, Head of Qantas epiQure, the exclusive food and wine community for Qantas Frequent Flyers.
Neil Perry is one of Australia’s most influential chefs and has received a string of accolades for his restaurants, which include Rockpool on George, Rockpool Bar and Grill in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, Spice Temple in Sydney and Melbourne, and the recently opened Rosetta Ristorante, also in Melbourne. Setting off Perry’s fine cuisine, award-winning Wolf Blass premium wines will be served throughout the weekend.
Wolfgang Blass, the German-born vigneron and the man behind the Wolf Blass wine label, is one of Australia’s most well-respected industry figures. Leaving war-tornGermany at the age of 23 to pursue winemaking, he took a three-year contract to make sparkling wine in Australia. He then began blending under his own name. Wolf Blass wines have gone on to win over 3000 awards over the years and the company isnow the fourth largest wine exporter in the world.
Chris Hatcher, Chief Winemaker for Wolf Blass, also will be on hand during the weekend to host the Masterclasses and help guests better understand the intricacies of makinga great wine. “Hatch” as he is known, has been with the company since 1987 starting as Senior Winemaker and taking on his current role in 1996. He is also a highly respected senior wine judge.
The Lizard Island event will start on Friday 24th May with a welcome cocktail party hosted by Lizard Island General Manager, Robyn Pontynen. Guests will gather on the lawn to enjoy a range of beautiful wines while taking in the sensational sea view out over Anchor Bay.
This will be followed by dinner at Ospreys Restaurant & Bar with guests being able to enjoy the fine cuisine created by the Island’s executive chef Anthony Healy. Healy has a culinary career spanning 10 years and the globe – working in top restaurants in London (Les Trois Garc?ons) and France (La Côte Saint Jacques) as well as Australia. With an accent on fresh seafood and superb local produce, the daily changing menus at Ospreys draw on the flavours of modern Australian, Asian and European cuisine.
On Saturday 25th May, guests will be able to learn more about Wolfgang Blass and his fascinating history in winemaking during a Q&A session at 10am. This will be followed by an optional Wolf Blass Wine Masterclass at 11am and then lunch.
A second optional Wolf Blass Wine Masterclass will be held at 3pm. Alternatively, guests can spend the afternoon indulging in a relaxing spa treatment at the Azure Spa, or enjoy snorkelling over 100-year-old clam gardens just metres from Lizard Island’s beaches.
On the Saturday evening, Perry will work his culinary magic in the Lizard Island kitchen creating a superb six course dinner, inspired by the menu at Rosetta Ristorante. Blass and Hatcher will take guests through the sophisticated selection of rare Wolf Blass wines, which will be handpicked to match each course.
On Sunday 26th May, guests will be able to enjoy a personal Q&A with Perry, followed by lunch at Ospreys and a scenic departure flight back from Lizard Island to Cairns.
Prices start from $4,718 for accommodation in a Garden Room. This includes return flights from Cairns to Lizard Island, accommodation and all gourmet meals including the feature dinner by Perry, Wolf Blass Masterclasses, and the Q&A sessions with Perry and with Blass.
“Our guests have come to know Lizard Island for its excellent food and wine, so having Neil Perry and Wolfgang Blass here for the weekend reinforces our commitment to fine dining in a spectacular setting,” said Pontynen.
Each guest attending this exclusive weekend also will receive a take-home memento – a limited release gift boxed bottle of Wolf Blass Platinum Label Medlands Estate Barossa Valley Shiraz 2009, signed by founder Wolfgang Blass along with Chris Hatcher, and a signed copy of Perry’s latest book, Easy Weekends.
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Neil Perry AM
Neil Perry is one of Australia’s leading and most influential chefs. He has managed several quality restaurants in Australia and today concentrates on his flagship brand, the Rockpool Group.
Perry also heads a team of five consultants to Qantas Airways, developing menus for International First and Business travelers. He is the author of seven cookbooks, which includeRockpool, Simply Asian, The Food I Love, Good Food, Balance & Harmony, Rockpool Bar & Grill, and Easy Weekends; has a weekly food column in Good Weekend in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age; and contributes a monthly food column to Qantas: The Australian Waymagazine.
Perry’s passion and the importance he places on quality produce are evident in all his dishes, the business projects he undertakes and the success his restaurants enjoy today.
Wolfgang Blass AM
Wolfgang Blass is the German-born founder of the Wolf Blass label in the Barossa Valley.
Much like his wine, Wolfgang Blass AM’s life reflects his remarkable passion for quality, character and consistency. Arriving in Australia in 1961, Wolf settled in the Barossa Valley and quickly developed the reputation as the ‘golden boy’ of the wine industry. Wolf concentrated on production of red table wines, making it his personal mission to change this trend. Not constrained by tradition, he was revolutionary in using new winemaking and marketing techniques. Today Wolf is still actively involved in the global wine industry and continues working as the statesman for the Wolf Blass brand.
Chris Hatcher, Wolf Blass Chief Winemaker
Chris Hatcher is widely considered one of Australia’s leading winemakers and respected wine show judges. His attention to detail in the winery and the tasting room has helped to produce the quality, consistency and character that built the reputation of Wolf Blass Wines.
Editor’s Note:
Qantas epiQure is an online community exclusive to Qantas Frequent Flyers where members can enjoy fine wine, food, events and rewards.
LizardIsland is the northernmost resort on the Great Barrier Reef offering 40 luxurious suites, a five-star restaurant and spa, plus some of the best snorkelling and diving in the world.
LizardIsland is owned and operated by Delaware North Australia Parks & Resorts, owners of Australian resorts including Wilson Island, El Questro Wilderness Park, Heron Island and Kings Canyon Resort.
For more information on bookings and special offers go to: www.lizardisland.com.au
For reservations contact: 1300 863 241 or +61 3 9413 6297.
Media Contact:
Jill Collins
Barking Owl Communications
M : 0417 654474
Email: Jill.collins@barkingowlcommunications.com.au
Louise Longman
Longman Communications
M: 0488 215 983
Email: louise@longmancomms.com.au