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Holy wine boost for Coonawarra

Posted on November 9, 2009, 9:09am

Coonawarra wine and the Blessed Mary MacKillop will be at the forefront of Australia Day celebrations at the Vatican next year.

Australia’s Ambassador to the Holy See, former deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer, will promote the region at his official January 26 celebrations on the left bank of the Tiber River, just near St Peter’s Basilica.

Speaking from Rome, Mr Fischer said made good sense to select Penola and Coonawarra wine region, given the enormous work of Mary MacKillop in this area.

“It was at Penola that Mary MacKillop established her first school, in January 1866, leading to her formation of the Sisters of St Joseph,” Mr Fischer said.

“It was at Penola and the nearby Coonawarra region that she began to devise her education templates and curricula that were later taken up by the SA State Government.

“In a small way this activity is a salute to a great Australian, at a very interesting time.

“It will greatly help that the terra rossa Coonawarra wine region has stepped up to the mark and will supply wine product from this famous region on the evening of the function, wine produced from the rich red soils of this part of South Australia and which have a worldwide reputation for excellence.”

SA Tourism Commission chief executive Andrew McEvoy welcomed the initiative and said arrangements were being completed to supply the wine on time.

Mr McEvoy said it was an honour for the Limestone Coast.

Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith also commended the promotion.

“Coonawarra and its famed strip of terra rossa soil produce some of Australia’s finest red wines,” she said.

“The Ambassador’s decision to feature the region’s wine may well serve as an added enticement to those attending the celebration to come to the region, see for themselves where Mary MacKillop began her work and stay to sample our magnificent wine experiences.”

Wineries that will be participating include DiGiorgio Family Wines and Zema Estate.

Both have Italian connections.

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Comments

One Response to “Holy wine boost for Coonawarra”

  1. deb on November 9th, 2009 3:22 pm 1

    I think it is wonderful for Coonawarra and Penola to be represented in Rome.

    We will all be proud to think of our wines, which many of us have worked for in the vineyards over the years, being tasted by the Italian masters themselves. Congratulations Tim Fischer.

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