De Bortoli announce collaboration at MCEC producer hour

By Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 19 August, 2013

De Bortoli Wines joined four regional producers at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre’s (MCEC) first food and wine hour on Thursday 8 August to announce the naming of a sparkling wine especially for MCEC.

Chief Winemaker Steve Webber said: “As one of our largest customers, MCEC has poured more than 13,000 bottles of our wine in the past year, so it was fitting that we work with them on their own labelled sparkling wine from the Yarra Valley.

“It’s impressive to see MCEC’s commitment to Victorian wines and produce. Having worked with them for the last five years we’re thankful for their support in showcasing our wines to visitors from around the world.”

MCEC Executive Chef Tony Panetta designed a special canapé menu for the evening using ingredients from suppliers from four Victorian regions, matched with De Bortoli wines.

“We’re spoilt in Victoria with such incredible produce and our food and wine hour was an example of how our kitchen team work with suppliers and source ingredients straight from the farm to create our dishes in-house,” Panetta said.

Guests enjoyed a range of canapés while they chatted with producers:

Sher Wagyu (Ballan, Goldfields) – wagyu beef
Greenvale Farm (Willaura, Grampians) – free range pork and jumbuck
Tarago Olives (Jindivick, West Gippsland) – olive oil and olive products
The Butter Factory (Myrtleford, High Country) – cultured butter

MCEC is an important asset to Victoria by providing jobs, buying from regional farmers and suppliers, promoting local produce and injecting millions into the Victorian economy through hosting business events.

Follow the kitchen’s travels to producers and wineries though MCEC’s food and wine blog fromfarmtofork.net.au. 

Source: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre