~ Burning of the Vines, an Annual Hunter Valley Event ~
Based on the success of last year’s campaign, conference guests at major properties in the Hunter Valley, will take part in an ancient harvest tradition, only during May and June, to symbolically burn disappointments of the previous financial year and ignite positive goals for the next.
Celebrated during vintage in European vineyards since ancient times, the Burning of the Vines ritual celebrates the end of the grape harvest and the start of the new season’s budburst, with grapevine cuttings burnt in huge bonfires to symbolise rebirth.
As part of the Hunter Valley Wine and Food Festival this May and June, conference delegates at participating accommodation properties, will receive a vine cutting along with a blank card upon arrival. Guests are encouraged to write any disappointing issues that they want to ‘burn away’ and what hopes and aspirations they have for the coming year. During the evening, guests then place their cuttings and cards into a bonfire or a fire pit at the property to farewell the old and toast the new.
This unique experience will be offered to all conference bookings made for this May and June at Chateau Elan at the Vintage, Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, Estate Tuscany Resort, Hunter Valley Resort, Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort, The Sebel Kirkton Park and Mercure Resort Hunter Valley Gardens.
Larger groups can also choose to have a Winemaker join them during the Burning of the Vines ritual to discuss the significance of the ritual and the cycle of vintages in the Hunter, whilst enjoying Hunter Valley wines.
The Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association’s Marketing Committee Chairman, Phil Hele, said the timing of the vine burning ceremony in May and June would align well with companies meeting to reflect on the previous financial year and planning for the next.
“The Burning of the Vines is a colourful, meaningful and memorable way for delegates to personally engage with the traditions and cycles of the Hunter Valley vineyards and also help themselves and their companies evolve and grow in a new financial year,” Mr Hele said. “We believe this new activity will prove very popular.”
The General Manager of The Sebel Kirkton Park, Belinda Paterson, said the properties had collaborated together to offer the inaugural Burning of the Vines ceremony to conference delegates. We are excited to see the success of last year’s campaign and offer this annually going forward during May & June.
“Vintage is an exciting time in Australia’s premier wine region and the Burning of the Vines has been a symbol of renewal for centuries so this year, for the participating properties in the Hunter Valley, we have offered our conference guests a unique insight into what is a ritual for our viticulturists,” Ms Paterson said. “We are certain the experience of gathering like this around a roaring fire and discussing the goals for the future into the flames will be a moving and rewarding one for guests and a highlight of each conference.”
The Burning of the Vines experience will be a complimentary activity for guests attending conferences this May and June Bookings can be made with each property by clicking here.