TORBRECK Vintners and Fiji Marriott Resort have launched a new partnership via an elegant five-course dining experience in support of Pinktober.
This featured expertly curated dishes, each paired with a selection from the winery’s award-winning list presented by wine ambassador Sacha Timaeus on October 31.
The event, a collaboration between the Motibhai Group of Companies, Torbreck Vintners, and Fiji Marriott Resort, featured the winery’s impeccable handpicked wines on the five-course menu.
These were mainly Torbreck’s Cuvée Juveniles Blanc, Woodcutter’s Rosé, Cuvée Juveniles (Red), Woodcutter’s Shiraz, and the Bothie.
Torbreck export manager Sacha Timaeus said the winery’s history began in Barossa Valley, South Australia.
“The Barossa Valley is one of Australia’s oldest wine-producing regions, and as a district, we have exceptionally old vineyard sites, with vineyards going back to the middle of the 19th century.
And, as you can see, we have both white, red, rosé, and sweet wines as well as dessert wines,” he said.
Considering Fiji’s tropical climate, Mr Timaeus said one would naturally gravitate towards white wines.
“In the heat of the day with the full humidity, those will absolutely quench your thirst and do something to mitigate the heat.
“The Cuvée Juvenile’s red blend, even though it is a red wine, you can put a slight chill on it and it’s more medium bodied, a lot juicier, very vibrant, and really refreshing. It’s not heavy or cloying.”
Most wine connoisseurs staying in climatically hot countries would decide against a wine that is too tannic or heavy; however, the Cuvée Juvenile is almost refreshing when consumed after it’s slightly chilled.
Torbreck Vintners establishment:
Mr Timaeus described Torbreck Vinter’s establishment as somewhat of a paradox in that while it was only celebrating its 30th vintage this year, the winery’s vines, on the other hand, were at least 175 years old, a true testament to the exquisite wines churned from the aged vines.
The winery started to protect and preserve those aged vines as there was a risk that many of them might have been scrubbed up or uprooted with something else planted in its place.
Mr Timaeus said the goal is to ensure that the vines last for another 175 years into the future. Now that the winery is venturing into the Fijian market, Mr Timaeus said the recent collaboration with the Motibhai Group of Companies was ideal in terms of solidifying their presence in world-class tourism accommodations such as the Fiji Marriott Resort.
With an international reach spanning 54 to 55 countries, Mr Timaeus said the Motibhai Group of Companies also shared the same fine wine and food ethos that Torbreck emulated effortlessly.
“It was natural, the cultural fit between the two companies was just so patently obvious and just so natural for us.
“We’ve had these wines on the market now for about four or five months, but to officially get the chance to launch them here is something wonderful, and the support that we’ve had from Marriott and the Bonvoy properties in general has been exceptional.”
Motibhai Group of Companies business development manager for wines and spirits, Nitesh Chand, commended the tripartite partnership for the Pinktober wine dinner.
“This is a very special event for us, and we are very thankful to our wine supplier, Sacha, here in Fiji, for supporting us in hosting this event,” he said.
“We acquired Torbreck Wines into our portfolio earlier this year, and these wines from the Barossa Valley are renowned for producing good quality wines for many years, and they have a sister winery in New Zealand, which is called Escarpment in Martinborough.”
Mr Chand said the Motibhai Group would continue to collaborate with the Fiji Marriott Resort for future events.
Fiji Marriott resort director food-beverages Christian Knecht said the initiative was coined initially in partnership with the Motibhai Group to raise funds for the Fiji Cancer Society.
“Usually, we have the wines and then afterwards we get the feedback, and then we usually feature one or two wines from that wine dinner on the menu,” he said.
“Currently, we don’t have that because we were first introduced to Torbreck, but we’re happy to introduce those wines to our guests.”
Mr Knecht confirmed the wines would be featured on the resort’s menu.
“Most likely it would be one white, one red, or one white and one rosemary, per se. So, to have a big variety for everyone, for people who don’t drink young wine.”
Fiji Marriott Momi Bay Resort staff members with bottles of Torbeck Wine during the launch at the resort in Nadi.
Pictures: REINAL CHAND
A range of Torbreck Wines launched at Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay in Nadi. Picture: REINAL CHAND
Nukeyshia Vega enjoys the Torbreck Wine during the launch at Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay in Nadi.
Paul Manfredi and wife Sandra Manfredi at the Torbreck Wine launch at the Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay in Nadi.
Beverage manager Rikki Handoko pours
Torbreck Wine for guests during the launch at the Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay in Nadi.
Sitiveni Weleilakeba serves Torbreck Wine during the launch at Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay in Nadi. The winery’s history began in Barossa Valley, South
Australia.
Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay general manager Silvano Dressino (centre) mingles with guests during the launch of the Torbeck Wines at the resort in Nadi.
Torbeck Vitners-Batrossa Valley Export manager Sacha Timaeus, (right), with the representatives of Motibhai and Marriott Resort Momi Bay during the launch at the resort in Nadi.
Sila Taukei, (left), Mosese Madden and Marama Lilikibau serve Torbeck Wines during the launch at the Fiji Marriott Momi Bay resort in Nadi.
