Recapping our Wine Tasting Event with TGWT
In January 2020, Ormina Tours announced an exclusive partnership with The Grand Wine Tour in Italy. Product launches were planned and by the close of the year the whole team expected to be fully immersed in quoting, booking and delivering an authentic product alongside The Grand Wine Tour. Alas, it was not to be. But we were happy to be given a great opportunity to host an amazing wine tasting event to wrap up what has been a turbulent 2020 and showcase this great product to our industry partners. We were lucky enough to host a live Sydney event as well as a Zoom event with a select number of agents across Australia. Here is our quick recap of the wine tasting events!
Redefining luxury travel in Europe
Ormina Tours are continuing to redefine luxury travel. Each year we are committed to seeking out Europe’s hidden treasures. We continually refine our itineraries and tailor excursions. Sonia Speroni, the Ormina Tours specialist Product Manager, based in Milan, works hard to ensure the travel partners we choose to work with share the same Ormina Tours values. Together we aim to deliver amazing and unique European experiences. Our partnership with The Grand Wine Tour does just that.
Max Coppo and The Grand Wine Tour
Meet Max Coppo, the Founder of The Grand Wine Tour. Max was born and bred in the world of wine to a historic wine making family. With over 30 years wine experience, his knowledge and passion makes him a leader in the Italian wine tourism sector. The Grand Wine Tour brings an Association of the best wineries throughout Italy. Each winery is defined by a Mark of Excellence and distinguishes the wineries by their exceptional standards.
The future of travel with Ormina Tours
The wine tasting events presented by Ormina Tours and The Grand Wine tour were held at The Travel Industry Hub. They were an opportunity to showcase some amazing wines from some of the excellent wineries that can be visited in Italy. It also presented an opportunity for the travel industry to come together, with a focus on a positive travel future. A travel future that looks likely to have a focus on small group travel – our specialty! A travel future with a focus on more in-depth experiences. One allowing for flexibility and personal curation. And a travel future that is exclusive and personal to the traveller looking for unique trips. Did someone say Ormina Tours?
A selection of Italian wines
From the first tasting of the Fiamo from deluxe winery, Feudi di San Gregorio in the Campania Region, the guests were delighted. What followed was a trip through Italy with an on-site sommelier.
Starting with white
The selection of Italian wines brought to you by TGWT
Starting in Veneto, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a Valdobbiane DOCG, the appellation chosen by Col Veteroz winery where this dry prosecco
is harvested. We then moved South to Ravello and a crowd pleasing Furore Bianco Fiorduva, courtesy of Marisa Cuomo. This wine highlights the Amalfi region as more than just its jaw dropping coastline. The winery boasts award-winning ‘extreme wines’ and a delightful gastronomic experience.
Complex reds
For those favouring red wine, we were treated to two wines from the Piedmont region. First, a Roero Riserva DOCG Valmaggiore from Cascina Chicco. Cascina Chicco has recently been renovated and offers a stunning underground cellar. To finish, a world famous Barolo DOCG Bricco Rocche. A product of the premier Cerreto winery, named as 21st in the World’s Best Vineyards 2020.
2022 sell-outs expected!
Afterwards, while we each enjoyed a glass (or 2!) of our favourite wine, we collaborated as an industry to chat about the future of European travel for Australians. We all agreed that 2022 was going to be popular (see why here). People will be ready for travel and in turn, we have ensured our 2022 product is ready immediately for booking. To further encourage confident booking, Ormina Tours will refund any deposit for any new 2022 tour booking (Small Group Journeys) up to 31 December 2021. With our tours only ever departing with a maximum of 10 passengers, we expect tours for 2022 to sell very fast and encourage early bookings.
Small group touring and private itineraries
The prediction is for more people to choose smaller group tours or private tours. Private tours mean avoiding larger groups. It offers more flexibility with a private tour curated specially for the traveller. Ormina Tours have many suggested itineraries, ideal for the private traveller, all allowing for personal touches and special requests. More or less time can be spent at sites and special access can be granted for exclusive experiences such as cellar tours and reservations made for smaller, boutique accommodation and restaurants.
The Travel Industry Hub
All in all, it was a wonderful night. A night to celebrate an exciting new partnership between Ormina Tours and The Grand Wine Tour. A night to celebrate and support an industry that has remained positive in one of the most difficult years to date. The venue of The Travel Industry Hub was ideal. It is a dedicated space for the travel and tourism community, centrally located in North Sydney. The kitchen and communal area offer flexibility for any style of function.
