Visit Vineyards goes mobile – and we're inviting you to celebrate!

Forward this newsletter to your wine and food loving friends to win a bottle of Grange »

Hello,

We are delighted to announce the release of the Visit Vineyards iPhone app – the first national wine and food app for Australia! It's been a while in the making, and with your help we've been testing it for a month. Now, it's live in the iTunes store – and best of all, it's free!

One of Australia's leading wine professionals, Dan Sims from The Wine Guide, has this to say:

'The Australian vinous landscape is as diverse as it is wide and being able to easily navigate your way through the various wine regions, both large and small, is essential.

What I like about the Visit Vineyards app is that it not only offers the user relevant and up to date information on winery cellar-doors, accommodation, local attractions, festivals and dining destinations (you name it, actually), it is very easy to use which is what you want when you're on the move. 

Plus, you also won't lose your way thanks to the in built maps.  Oh, and it's free; you got to love that!'

 

But even if you're not travelling in wine or food country, or you live overseas, or just want to learn more about Australia's wine and food, the app is great for looking up where wines come from, and to learn more about what our beautiful regions have to offer. From Cooktown to Cygnet, Byron Bay to Margaret River, it's included.
 

To celebrate we are offering you the chance to win one of two fabulous holidays for you and your partner! We've given away some great holidays before, but these are really spectacular. (You can enter from anywhere in the world, as long as you are over 18.)

Feel like 11 days in Queensland's Whitsundays (including 3 days on a yacht, and a helicopter flight over the islands), or a week enjoying Tasmania's bounty? We sure do (but we aren't allowed to enter!).

Why not be one of the lucky ones? Scroll down to read more, and to see all the other great giveaways we have for you this month. As we've been so busy getting ready for the app launch today, this newsletter is shorter than usual – we'll be featuring our usual reviews, news and events in October.

Enjoy the read, and have fun with the app (Android users, we aim to have one for you in the future, too). Send us your feedback to iphone@visitvineyards.com for our future improvements.

In this edition:

• Check out our new mobile guide to wine and regional food »
  
  
• Two fabulous trips to be won – Tasmania and the Whitsundays »
  
  
• Win full bodied wine, sumptuous book and tasty treats »
  
  
• Thank you, and enjoy a bottle of 1989 Penfolds Grange! »
  
  

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The Visit Vineyards Australian wine and food iPhone app is here

Now you can enjoy Visit Vineyards on the road as well! With our new iPhone app

• You can discover the best wineries and vineyards, the hidden gems, the family-friendly, the cellar doors no-one knows about, with almost 5000 listed in over 60 Australian wine regions, in all states.
   
• Search by state, by region, by name, by wine variety, and more.
   
• For beer lovers, we include microbreweries as well, and a growing number of cideries and distilleries.
   
• Hungry? You can also find local food producers and sellers, regional restaurants, and markets. From cheese to chocolate, organic veggies to charcuterie, we have it covered.
   
• We know that most of you can't drink wine all the time! So we've included galleries, activities like ballooning, festivals, and lots more things to do nearby, especially for the children, or for partners who'd rather play golf or have a spa.
   
• Each listing includes opening hours, main products, cost, and you can also find user comments plus our recommendations for best value, etc.
   
• Plan your trip with our exclusive itineraries, find information centres and locate accommodations nearby, should you be tempted to stay overnight. Simply click on their listing to call them.
   
• Use GPS and maps to discover those near you when you are out in Australia’s wine and food regions.
   
• Locate discounts, 'perks', and other special experiences and offers nearby. You won't miss out again.
   
• Save them to favourites to plan your own perfect wine and food escape, and use the maps for directions and navigation.
   

No listings are paid for, so the app gives you comprehensive and independent information, nationwide.

But best of all, it's free!

Have friends who also like wine and food? Then forward this newsletter to them, and go in the draw to win a bottle of 1989 Penfolds Grange, perfectly cellared.

Upgrade to the latest version:

If you were one of our subscribers who downloaded the trial version of our app last month, so that you can get the latest version and receive further updates, we ask you to do the following, please:

Firstly, remove the earlier version of the app on your iPhone or iPad (whilst it will function fine, it won't be updated with new features from now on). Simply hold down your finger on the app icon for 2 seconds until a small (x) appears in the upper-left corner of the icon. Then click the icon button, and click 'delete'.

Then simply click here to download the new version of the app »

Two lucky subscribers who provided us with valuable feeback have each won a pair of Yabby Lake and/or Heathcote Estate wines – find out if it was you on our winners' page here »

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Celebrate the iPhone app with us – Do the Whitsundays or Do Tasmania!

Two fabulous holidays to choose from – which one appeals to you?

Queensland's glorious Whitsundays: see the magnificent Barrier Reef from all angles – below, upon and above the water!

Can an Australian tropical holiday get much better than this? Roam Media and VisitVineyards.com have put together a fabulous 11 day, 10 night package for one very lucky couple to enjoy.

Does the thought of cruising yachts, a private helicopter flight to a deserted island and a unique Reef Sleep experience sound like the holiday of a lifetime? Add in a luxury catamaran cruise, a scenic flight and all accommodation and your 11 fun-filled days will give you and your partner a swag of memories of sparkling waters, abundant marine life, friendly people and an idyllic location.

The weather is warm, just like the welcome you'll receive when you arrive so enter now and you could be unwinding, relaxing and immersing yourself in the paradise that is tropical north Queensland.

Find out what you'll experience and enter to win this incredible Whitsundays holiday here »

Taste some of Tasmania's best: discover Australia's cool climate culinary gem.

At the other end of Australia lies the beautiful island of Tasmania. The state's cool climate wines are winning acclaim around the world and fresh Tasmanian produce is being plated up at restaurants internationally.

Now you could be tasting some of the best with this 7 day, 6 night holiday!

And there's so much more –Tasmania is a natural paradise, too. The spectacular Bay of Fires on the East Coast will take your breath away with its white beaches, pristine waters and fresh, salty air. Further south and a multi-award winning wilderness and wildlife adventure awaits with eco cruise from Bruny Island Cruises. And MONA Museum is taking the art world by storm.

You're sure to discover the things that brought Gourmet Farmer Matthew Evans, rock legend Brian Ritchie, and many more to live in Australia's island state.

Discover what you'll see, taste and experience in 7 glorious days and enter to win the fabulous Tasmanian holiday here »

And if you can't decide, you can always enter both!

Share the news, and you can also go in the draw to win a bottle of Penfolds Grange (see more info below).

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Win full bodied wines, sumptuous books, tasty treats and more this spring

We’re welcoming the first buds of spring with these wonderful prizes and a special VisitVineyards.com Members-only competition:

• In keeping with our celebratory Tasmanian and Queensland themes, we have 15 great books to give away. Choose which one(s) you’d like to win: Tasmania’s Table, Picnicking in Paradise, Salsa, In Search of the Perfect Partner or The Queensland Food and Wine Touring Atlas. There are also some tchillbags just in time for summer gatherings. Read more on these wonderful books and enter here »
   
• Rich, full-bodied Glenrowan wines could be yours. Or if you’re free on the 1st October, how about two tickets (valued at $135 each) to the Glenrowan Winemakers Dinner? You'll mix with the winemakers and enjoy a delicious five course slow-cooked meal matched with local wine of course. Hurry, drawn 22nd  September »
   
• The deep, red hues of Heathcote shiraz are internationally renowned and you could be savouring every characteristic with six mixed half cases to be won. Or join in the festivities in shiraz heaven for the 10th annual Heathcote Wine and Food Festival. Enter to win the wine or event tickets here »
   
• Celebrating? Then Champagne is sure to be part of the festivities. Its bright bubbles often signify life's milestones for all, from royalty and celebrity to winners' podiums and to occasions that mark our own loves, hope and joy. Champagne and Chandeliers is a unique and elegant book by Bernadette O’Shea that brings these all together in one stylish book. Win one of three signed copies here »
   
• Sipping and saving is the theme of this competition. Sip on fabulous wine from Yabby Lake and save your favourite wines with winesave. Six prize packs of a winesave unit and bottle of Yabby Lake wine plus seven mini winesave units to be won »
   
• You’ll be saying Thistle Be Good when you win one of these four gourmet gift packs made in the heart of McLaren Vale. Each contains a Wild Mushroom and Tarragon Risotto, Moroccan Couscous with Currants, a Dukkah and of course The Rub - yum! Read about these tasty treats and enter here »
   
• Toast to the Coast and enjoy the ride. Wine celebrations abound this month with Geelong and surrounds toasting their 10th annual festival V/Lline is offering five lucky subscribers train travel from anywhere in Victoria plus tasting/entry tickets for two to Toast to the Coast. No designated driver on this trip »
   
• Bring some harmony to your life and enhance the natural energy of your home or office with a professionally produced Feng Shui giclée print. A gentle waterfall or soothing landscape or flowers of any colour – the choice is yours. Enter now and you could win one of two prints valued at A$600 each »
   
• MEMBERS ONLY – get your wine nose in training with a Le Nez du Vin aroma set. This is your exclusive chance to win one of two Le Nez du Vin aroma sets or 10 Essential Wine Tasting Guides and start really enjoying and appreciating the many complexities of your wine »
   

The prize shelf still has some great prizes to be claimed – did you win Mattew Evans' Gourmet Farmer DVD or Produce to Platter – Geelong and surrounds? Check the winners page now and email Kerry at Winner@VisitVineyards.com to claim your prize.

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Thank you, and enjoy a bottle of 1989 Penfold Grange for Christmas

Once again, we'd like to thank you, our fabulous subscribers, for your continued support. Times are tough in regional Australia, especially in wine and tourism, and the businesses featured thank you, too.

Kerry and I are pictured here with the Minister of Tourism in Tasmania, the Hon. Scott Bacon, MP, who officially launched the app.

“Hospitality and Tourism are very important industries for the Australian economy and it is vital that we continue to grow these sectors.  The development of this application is a great step in helping us in this area.  The fact that the app was developed in Tasmania is a great coup for the state and demonstrates the kind of innovation and creativity which is driving economic growth in Australia”, he said.

So support our regional businesses and the economy, and as a special Christmas present, you might be enjoying a bottle of Penfolds Grange 1989 vintage this December.

Simply forward this newsletter to your wine and food loving friends and tell them about the app and the fabulous holidays on offer, and Santa might bring you this very special treat. The more times you forward it, the greater your chances of receiving this special gift.

Read vintage notes on the 1989 Grange and more about this offer here »

Thank you again from the VisitVineyards.com team, and good luck from Robyn, Kerry, Sara, Charlie, Andrew, Graham, Trish, Mike, Laura and Marie-Paule.

PS Don't forget if you provided us with feedback on the app last month, check here see if you won a twin pack of wine »

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