Western Australia's Finest Cellars Take Over Howard Smith Wharves Today

Brisbane wine lovers are in for a rare cross-country tasting experience today as EXHILARATING Wines from Western Australia lands at Howard Smith Wharves. Bringing together more than 35 acclaimed and emerging producers pouring over 150 wines, the landmark showcase marks the most ambitious presentation of Western Australian viticulture ever staged in Queensland.

Despite accounting for just 3% of the nation's annual grape crush, Western Australia commands an outsized reputation on the world stage for fine wine, artisan craftsmanship, and meticulous environmental custodianship. Today's event offers local enthusiasts and trade professionals an exclusive chance to taste benchmark bottles, discover small-batch releases rarely seen on the East Coast, and meet the winemakers making the 4,000-kilometre journey in person.

"Queensland wine lovers are increasingly curious and adventurous, making Brisbane the perfect home for the stories, energy, innovation and individuality that have become hallmarks of the EXHILARATING wines from Western Australia," said Larry Jorgensen, CEO of Wines of Western Australia.

Iconic Labels and Emerging Trailblazers

The line-up unites legendary stalwarts with dynamic, modern artisans across Margaret River, Great Southern, Swan Valley, Pemberton, Geographe, and the Blackwood Valley.

• Icons in One Room: Taste cornerstones of Australian winemaking history side by side, including the Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay, Cullen Diana Madeline, and Vasse Felix Tom Cullity.
• Halliday Top 100 Talent: Meet the teams behind seven wineries featured in the Halliday Wine Companion Top 100 Wineries of 2025, including #1-ranked Vasse Felix, Swinney, Domaine Naturaliste, Howard Park, and Xanadu.
• Award-Winning Margaret River Cabernet: Sample trophy-winning reds straight from international competition circuits alongside world-class regional expressions of Chardonnay and fresh Sauvignon Blanc blends.
• Cool-Climate & Low-Intervention Pioneers: Discover delicate Porongurup Rieslings from Castle Rock Estate, single-vineyard biodynamic bottlings from McHenry Hohnen, and minimal-intervention Swan Valley Chenin Blanc from Corymbia and Vino Volta.
• Artisan Sparkling: Experience traditional-method Blanc de Blancs crafted exclusively from Margaret River Chardonnay by pioneering house Idée Fixe.

Event Schedule & Details

• Trade Tasting Showcase (1:00 pm – 4:00 pm): An industry-only session tailored for hospitality, wholesale, retail, and media professionals to explore new releases and connect directly with estate principals.
• Golden Hour VIP Experience (5:00 pm – 8:30 pm | $180): Strictly limited in capacity, this session features an intimate masterclass guided by Erin Larkin (Australian Reviewer for Robert Parker Wine Advocate), followed by full access to the tasting showcase.
• Golden Hour Showcase (5:30 pm – 8:30 pm | $75): The main public session along the riverfront, including walk-around tastings across all 35+ wineries, grazing provisions, and a complimentary RIEDEL Overture Red Wine glass to keep.

Registrations and final ticket allocations are available online at exhilaratingwines.com.