4 | Community
19 - 25 March 2013
WA Government European Office host Cullen Wines tasting
By Matt Dawson Emma Cullen, from Margaret River’s Cullen Wines, led a group of 60 guests through a tasting session of her family’s flagship wines at an intimate gathering at Australia House. on Thursday 14 March The evening was put on in conjunction with the Western Australian Government European Office. Guests included Australian High Commissioner, Mike Rann, Deputy High Commissioner, Andrew Todd and the Agents-General of Western Australia and Queensland, Kevin Skipworth and Ken Smith and Deputy Agent-General for South
Australia, Matt Johnson. They were joined by representatives for the wine industry, business, West Australian alumni and staff from the High Commission. The Cullen family have been producing wine in Western Australia’s south-west for more than 40 years. Studies in 1960s uncovered Margaret River’s potential for growing Bordelais grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, and
Cullen Wines was established in 1971 by agronomist, Doctor Kevin Cullen and his wife Diana. The popularity of the Cullen family’s wines is reflected by its trophy cabinet. Diana became the first woman to win a trophy for wine growing at the Perth Royal Show in 1982. Her daughter, Vanya has also gone on to win a multitude of awards since becoming Chief Winemaker in 1989 and Managing Director in 1999. In 2000 Vanya Cullen won the Qantas/ The Wine Magazine Winemaker of the Year – the first West Australian and first female winner of the award. Vanya’s niece, Emma Cullen lives in London and is working hard to gain more exposure for the family’s wines in the UK market. “The UK is a very important market for Cullen. Our Mangan Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, as well as Margaret River red (Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot) are very popular over here. “Working in London provides a window into every wine producing region in the world,” Emma said. The Agent-General of WA Mr Kevin Skipworth noted the importance of the UK market for Australian winemakers. “It is fantastic to see prominent WA winemakers like Cullen over in London, embracing the opportunity to grow their business in the UK, which after all is our most important wine market,” he said. “Margaret River wines have built a strong global reputation and continue to be a significant asset to our state.”
UK Australian Woman of the Year Awards
On Wednesday 13 March ME Hotel hosted the Qantas Australian Woman of the Year in the UK Award, sponsored by Qantas and Australian Business, and supported by Australian Times. The Award was presented to the winner Siobhan Reddy by Qantas Regional General Manager for UK & Ireland, Eric Jelinek, Australian Deputy High Commissioner to the UK, Andrew Todd, and Australian Business Executive Director, Kim Dillon. Over 180 guests were in attendance, including fellow nominees Professor Dame Valerie Beral AC, FRS, Director Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Jo Elvin, Editor Glamour Magazine and Natalie McPherson, co-founder of women’s networking group Ruby UK. Images by Elly Mac Photos.
Market Facts • WA contributes just 3% of Australia’s total grape crush. However, WA makes 20% of Australia’s premium wines. The UK remained the best export market for our wine, with 256 million litres exported in 2012, an increase of 3% on the previous year. • Against the backdrop of an appreciating Australian dollar, the UK is buying more of our wine in bulk container shipments. Bulk wine now account for 80% of all wine we sell to the UK market. • There has been a significant fall in the volume of bottled wine sold. Margaret River was one of the few wine regions to buck this trend, with its bottled wine export volume increasing 12.5% in 2012.