Greetings from Chicago. As this update was written, the city sat beneath foggy skies, humid weather and unusually warm temperatures for the season.
The journey began on 2 September with an overnight stop in Guangzhou before continuing by bullet train to Hong Kong for the Restaurant and Bar Trade Show on 4 and 5 September.
Before the trade show began, Helen & Joey Estate hosted a wine dinner with the American Club Hong Kong on the evening of 3 September. The evening paired exceptional food with a selection of premium wines from the estate. Guests tasted the 2018 Wayward Child Ilion and Bastion for the first time outside Australia alongside the 2016 Layla Chardonnay, 2018 Layla Pinot Noir and 2016 Alena Cabernet Sauvignon.
Throughout the dinner, import partner House of Fine Wine worked closely with the chef and venue team to present the wines at their best.
Sharing Yarra Valley Wine Internationally
The Hong Kong trade show attracted strong attendance and provided an opportunity to reconnect with existing customers while also introducing Helen & Joey Estate wines to new buyers and trade contacts.
After several meetings in Guangzhou, the journey continued to San Francisco before travelling to Napa Valley on 7 September. During the visit, the team toured Fairwinds Estate, a winery known for its impressive 22,000 square foot cave complete with a kitchen and event space.
On 9 and 10 September, the trip continued through New Hampshire alongside Sheila Sheehan from Circa Wines. Meetings with clients and wine buyers generated consistently positive feedback, particularly around the elegance and restraint of the Yarra Valley wine style.
One memorable stop included a tasting at a retail outlet attached to a working slaughterhouse operated by Rick from Lemay and Sons. Although unexpected, the visit reflected a shared belief that great wine belongs alongside great food.
Building Awareness in the United States
The trip then continued to Chicago, where time was spent visiting wine shops and restaurants alongside Courtney Weatherspoon from Novovino. Together, the team continued building awareness of Helen & Joey Estate wines throughout the United States market.
From Chicago, the journey moved to Connecticut to meet with new distributor Angelini Wines before continuing to New York City and Los Angeles ahead of the return home.
The trip highlighted growing international interest in Yarra Valley wine and provided valuable opportunities to strengthen relationships across key export markets for Helen & Joey Estate.
