If you have visited the National Wine Centre in any capacity it is likely that you have been greeted or taken a hosted tour or tasting with Sine Ryan. Originally from Ireland, Sine has worked at the National Wine Centre for 8.5 years and is the current Tourism, Events and Guest Services Manager.
What does your role involve?
My role involves overseeing the operations within the Tourism and Guest Services department.
A huge focus for me is to grow the local, interstate and International tourism awareness.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
I think it is really special to be the very starting point of someone's education in wine. We have tourists visit from all over the world and have the privilege to teach them about the history of Australian wine through the Wine Discovery Journey and educate on wine tasting techniques. It's exciting and rewarding to watch someone learn to love wine, wine making and wine history.
What are some of the challenges you face in the tourism sector?
The closed international and local borders during the pandemic have definitely presented the tourism side of the business with new challenges. Prior to 2020, 60% of our tourists were visitors from overseas, 30% interstate and 10% intrastate. Over the last year we have had to really drive local tourism and although challenging, it has been great seeing locals holidaying at home and often visiting the Centre for the very first time.
What are some of the changes you have seen at the National Wine Centre over the time you have worked there?
In the past few years there has definitely been a shift with a greater focus on tourism and utilizing the Wine Discovery Journey more, including some upgrades (the big screen and the current immersive experience of the Riverland). We have implemented a paid hosted tour for $15 per person and now offer that 7 days a week at 11am, a wider range of regions are covered in the Wined Bar tasting room with a passionate Sommelier team looking after the wine list and we offer a greater range of wine tasting experiences which is really cementing the National Wine Centre as a 'must see' when visiting Adelaide or holidaying at home.
What do you enjoy the most about your role?
It would have to be meeting and greeting visitors from all walks of life and different parts of the world and watching/helping them extend their wine knowledge in a fun and interactive way.
What is something you have learned since starting at the National Wine Centre?
My knowledge of wine has grown exponentially, on a national level rather than just around South Australian regions. I am finding the 'Australian Wine Sector at a Glance' from Wine Australia concerning exporting wine, just fascinating.
What is your favorite varietal to drink?
Hands down it would be Riesling - "there is always a reason for Riesling!"
