Wine connoisseurs were treated to an evening of culinary excellence as Bleasdale Wines of Langhorne Creek, Australia, made its debut with a special wine dinner at the Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort’s Tatavu Restaurant.
The August 15 event showcased a well-crafted menu, with each dish expertly paired with different wines from Bleasdale Wines.
The event was a collaboration between the Motibhai Group of Companies and Bleasdale Wines and served as a celebration of the winery’s impressive 175th anniversary. The evening featured a curated selection of wines, including the Blanc de Blanc, Verdelho, and a variety of reds such as the Langhorne Creek Red blend, Grenache, Frank Potts blend, and Malbec.
Bleasdale’s Head Winemaker, Nicole Brasier, highlighted the shared attention to detail philosophy between the two partners Bleasdale Wines and the Motibhai Group of Companies, a sentiment she said was evident throughout the evening.
“Our philosophy is all about premiumisation and having the best product from the best vintage and having this resort here looking absolutely spectacular and being completely beachside,” she said. “We’re partners with Motibhai, and it was organised for a beautiful fine dining beach setting wine dinner.
We’re very lucky, we’ve had a great turnout.”
Asked how Bleasdale Wines Australia balances traditional winemaking with innovation, Ms Brasier said innovation has always been a part of Bleasdale.
“And it’s what has kept us here for 175 years,” she said.
“Frank Potts, our founding father, innovated and was the first to establish a winery in Langhorne Creek, which was a huge risk.
“So, it’s something that we really try and push ourselves to do every day and maintain tradition, but make sure that we’re not bound to our tradition and that we’re always moving forward and creating new, innovative wines that people can enjoy today as well.”
Motibhai Group Business Development manager for Wines and Spirits Nitesh Kumar said the group would be the official distributor of Bleasdale Wines in Fiji.
“Motibhai has positioned itself as a leading wine distributor in Fiji, and we feel very privileged about our partnership with Bleasdale Wines and Sheraton Fiji Resort for this event,” Mr Kumar said.
“”We will continue to do our best in the market by distributing quality wines for all occasions and every consumer.”
Mr Kumar said Bleasdale Wines was renowned for producing popular varietals such as Sparkling Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec.
“The brands we promote are famous worldwide, like Bleasdale, and they have won a lot of awards at the International Food and Wine shows,” he said.
Mr Kumar also revealed more collaborative events were being planned for later in the year to strengthen the partnership and enhance the guest experience.
Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort director of Food and Beverage Ajeesh Vijayakumar said the Motibhai Group is a key strategic partner of the resort.
“We have been working together with Motibhai for such events for quite a long time, and now getting this Bleasdale winery to come and do a dinner with Tatavu is an extremely honourable moment for us,” he said.
Mr Vijayakumar said such high-profile events elevated the resort’s reputation.
“Tatavu at the moment, we are the finalists for the Best Hotel Restaurant in Fiji Awards in World Culinary Awards, so, doing such events, partnering with people like Motibhai will elevate our chances to get this honour.”
He also highlighted the appeal of Bleasdale to the resort’s significant Australian guest base.
“They do such occasions, and Bleasdale is a great winery from Adelaide. And I would say, it’s a family business, and getting that winery to the Fiji market and introducing it here, is a new dynamic in the Fiji market as well, and our guests are loving it.”
Mr Vijayakumar said the resort’s recently opened Cellar and Barrel Bar has nearly 260 wine labels and the addition of Bleasdale wines further diversified their wine repertoire.
“Adding Bleasdale wines to that will be another 10 more wines that we are adding to the label, so, more options for the Fiji guests.
“We do have a lot of international winemakers come and do events with us.
We have wines from California, wines from all the old world, from France and also Argentinian wines.
We even have Portuguese wines in our list but again, the biggest market is here for Australian wines.
So, we are trying to introduce more Australian unique wines to the market.”
Australia’s Bleasdale Wines head Winemaker Nicole Brasier showcases their wine varieties at the dinner.
Adi Vasiti and Akuila Kuboutawa serve Bleasdale wine at the Bleasdale Wine dinner at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort TATAVU Restaurant in Denarau Nadi.
Motibhai Group Business Development manager – Wines & Spirits Nitesh Chand (left), Motibhai Group executive director Nilesh Patel joined by Australia’s Bleasdale Wines head Winemaker Nicole Brasier (right), and tourism stakeholders enjoying the Bleasdale Wine dinner at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort TATAVU Restaurant in
Denarau Nadi. Pictures: REINAL CHAND
Guests enjoy the aperitifs and appetizers during the Bleasdale Wine Dinner held at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort TATAVU Restaurant in Denarau Nadi.
Li Hui (centre) serves guests during the Bleasdale Wine dinner at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort TATAVU Restaurant in Denarau Nadi.
Guests enjoy the Bleasdale Wine dinner at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort TATAVU Restaurant in Denarau Nadi.
Tourism stakeholders attend the Bleasdale Wine Dinner at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort TATAVU Restaurant in Denarau Nadi.
Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort
Complex director of Food and Beverage Ajeesh Vijayakumar attends the Bleasdale Wine Dinner held at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort TATAVU Restaurant in Denarau Nadi.