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Qantas epiQure launch Margaret River

The stunning Margaret River region in Western Australia’s south west was chosen as the destination launch the new gourmet line at Qantas epiQure.

This speaks volumes in itself. Of all the regions in Australia, Qantas chose ‘Margs’. To those fortunate to have been “down south” a few times, we know how good the produce is. As I’ve always said, where there’s good wine, there’s good food.

barrel room 3SBT_4200 1100pxI was delighted to score an invite to the launch in April. As if I was going to say no to a chartered flight from Perth to Busselton, transfers to Vasse Felix for a ‘market style’ produce showcase followed by lunch in Vasse Felix’s restaurant, matched with their superb wines.

Qantas epiQure hosted 30 of its members from across Australia on a gourmet weekend Margaret River.

On arrival guests were taken into the Vasse Felix barrel room. Wine maker Virginia Wilcock talked us through a Chardonnay then a Cabernet tasting. Virginia won world wine maker of the year in 2012 and it’s easy to listen to her speak so passionately about her wine. We then sampled produce from Margaret River and around the nation that is now available to purchase through Qantas epiQure.

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Produce included Eagle Bay Olives, Huon Salmon, Bahen & Co, Olio Bello, Sin Ko Nah Tonic, Bushfoods Experience, Margaret River Nougat Co and Fudge by Rich.

Huon Salmon comes from Tasmania and I was super impressed with the quality of the salmon. We had heaps of fun having salmon caviar gin shots – a bit like tequila shots but instead of ‘lick, sip, suck’ with salt, tequila and lemon, it was caviar, gin, and lemon. And it was good!

Lunch was sublime. Executive Chef Aaron Carr is one of the good guys, and a true culinary talent. We savoured every one of those five courses.

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The final savoury course of our five course lunch: Beef carrot onion and barley

Special guests included Head of Qantas epiQure Lisa Hudson, Executive Director Markets & Partnerships Tourism WA Gwyn Dolphin, Virginia Wilcock Vasse Felix winemaker and Chef Aaron Carr – all who said a few words and spoke brilliantly.

As a guest I felt proud to be Western Australian. I tip my hat to Qantas for choosing what many of us believe to be the best corner of the country for their prestigious epiQure launch.Chalk board_SBT4112 FEATURED

Qantas epiQure is the online food and wine community exclusive to Qantas Frequent Flyer members. Qantas Frequent Flyers can sign up to Qantas epiQure Premium Membership for $99 or 13,000 Qantas Points.

While all Qantas Frequent Flyers can purchase wine from Qantas’ award winning wine cellar, Qantas epiQure members enjoy free delivery on all orders, receive a complimentary joining gift, special offers on premium wines and invitations to exclusive food and wine events hosted by top producers and winemakers. They also earn three Qantas Points for every dollar spent on all purchases.

For more information on Qantas epiQure, visit https://www.qantasepiqure.com.au

Shout out to the South West Concierge for arranging to pick me up after the shing-ding. It’ll come as no surprise that I opted to stay down south rather than fly back to Perth.

Disclosure

Photos supplied by Qantas

Dianne Bortoletto was invited as a guest to attend the launch

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