National Wine Centre of Australia — Attraction in Adelaide

My wife and I attended a wedding reception at The National Wine Centre early last year. The atmosphere is great and the food was superb. However, some guests are likely to leave hungry. Portion sizes of all four courses were tiny. Then, when it came time to honour the newlyweds, nobody on our table had any drink to toast with. Really? At a Wine Centre? It happened twice during the evening. That's when I complained to management. The manager was very courteous. He explained that it is the Centre's policy to fill up individual glasses instead of leaving bottles on the table. That's fine, but how about some service then? Four of the five Centre attendants, showed no interest in us at all. It costs nothing to smile, to ask whether you have finished the meal before snatching a plate away, or to appear interested in those you are catering to. Knowing the hosts well, they would not have skimped on the package. In the end, I filled up on extra servings of bread and butter. Plus, the manager conceded somewhat by leaving us a carafe of table water. I would not recommend The National Wine Centre of Australia as a venue to host a wedding reception.

UPDATE. I attended another wedding reception at the National Wine Centre one year after writing my original review. Again, the surroundings at the Centre are beautiful, and the quality of the food was outstanding. However, as expected, nobody on our table had anything to drink when the master of ceremonies prompted a toast to the bride and groom. I complained to the manager once more. Thereafter, 4 different drink attendants zoomed in on us from all directions, continuing to top up our glasses throughout the evening. For this reason, and for the courteous manner in which the catering manager responded to my grievance, I have added another star to my original review (but continue to believe that, in lieu of adequate table service, guests, at the very least, should have access to...

The National Wine Centre of Australia (commonly the "Wine Centre") is a public exhibition building about winemaking and its industry in South Australia, opened in 2001. It contains an interactive permanent exhibition of winemaking, introducing visitors to the technology, varieties and styles of wine. It also has a wine tasting area, giving visitors the opportunity to taste and compare wines from different areas of Australia.

The Wine Centre is situated at the eastern end of North Terrace, Adelaide in the east parklands and adjacent to the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. The building designed by Cox Grieve Gillett uses building materials to reflect items used in making wine. The exterior of the building looks like a section of a wine barrel. Outside the building are rows of grapevines, showing seven different varieties of grapes to curious visitors who normally would not have access to a vineyard to see the differences for themselves.

Its development by the Olsen Liberal State Government was shrouded in controversy and it was labelled as a white elephant by the Opposition. It eventually opened on 6 October 2001 after enabling legislation created the concept in the National Wine Centre Act (1997). After a number of problems with funding, management and profitability, the Wine Centre operation was given to the University of Adelaide on 12 September 2003 on a 40-year lease.[3] It now offers some of the university's oenology courses, as well as the public face of the wine industry...

The National Wine Centre did an incredible job of hosting our wedding ceremony and reception. The new wedding coordinator, Megan, did a fantastic job of bringing everything together, especially considering she had only been in the role for roughly two weeks!

All the NWC staff went above and beyond to make our day memorable. They constantly checked if my husband and I needed food or drink. Of course, they also took excellent care of our guests and bridal party too. I especially appreciated that the bridal party got to have a breather after the ceremony with canapes and drinks in our own private room. Even then, staff were regularly checking if we needed anything.

The food and beverages were exceptional. Service of food and drink was prompt, and the quality of the food was exceptional. Multiple guests said it was the best food service at a wedding they'd ever experienced.

We also had the privilege of working with a sommelier to put together a custom wine package. It was a really personal and memorable touch for our reception. They were super cooperative when I changed my mind about one of the wines, about a week before the wedding. Thanks Andrew the sommelier!

Ultimately, I would recommend the National Wine Centre to any couple for their ceremony and reception. They're a well-oiled machine and will go above and beyond to make your day memorable and...