Fine wine, horse racing and outer space took centre stage across the Melbourne Cup Carnival as guests of the ‘Venture Beyond’ by Penfolds marquee were taken on a journey of space exploration, as they passaged through a lunar eclipse inspired by the brand’s first global brand thematic ‘Venture Beyond’.
Media were given a sneak peek of the marquee offering during Preview Day on Thursday 27th October at Flemington Racecourse, which saw mass media coverage achieved across Sunrise, TODAY Show, Seven News, Nine News, Network Ten News, Herald Sun and The Age with sustained momentum throughout the remainder of the carnival seeing placements in VOGUE Australia, Harper’s BAZAAR, News.com.au and The Robb Report.
In attendance on Penfolds Victoria Derby Day was a star-studded guestlist including Friends of Penfolds Joel Selwood, Erin Holland, Bambi Northwood-Blythe and Dan Macpherson who mingled with guests including Max Gawn, Rachel Griffiths, Alli Simpson, Tayla Damir, Effie Kats, Jasmin Howell and Tim Kano. Each were treated to a tasting of the newly released Penfolds Grange 2018, receiver of six 100 point reviews, and a masterclass with Penfolds Ambassador Zoe Warrington & Winemaker Matt Woo.
Executive Chef of Magill Estate Restaurant, Scott Huggins curated an out of this world culinary experience, which was perfectly paired with the wine on pour throughout the week.
Guests were dazzled by a show stopping performance by Lunar Crooner Mike Snell and special guest Rob Mills who gave Frank Sinatra a run for his money with their impressive rendition to ‘Fly me to the Moon’, which was one of many social media moments that blew up across the week.
Immersed in a shimmering palette of silver, white, rose gold and red, racegoers danced the afternoon away to a celestial soundtrack curated by DJ Emma Peters, to top off what was a carnival to remember with the iconic Australian winemaker.