A quick chat with the 2011 Barossa Vintage Festival Chair, Bill Biscoe

by Tania Shirgwin 

 Here at Everything Barossa we just love to celebrate the Barossa and what better way to do that than write about something that is proudly established in Barossa tradition – The Barossa Vintage Festival. We recently had a chance to catch up with the Barossa Vintage Festival Chair, Bill Biscoe and ask him a few questions.

How long have you been involved in the Barossa Vintage Festival?
My first experience with the Barossa Vintage Festival was back in 2003.


How did you get involved?
At the time I was working for Penfolds and I volunteered to be involved with the Rare Wine Auction. Fascinating experience that sparked my interest and led me to join the Barossa Vintage Festival Committee in 2005. Adrian Hoffman was Chair and I was elected Deputy-Chair which was an honour. I was re-elected Deputy Chair again in 2007.

What has been your favourite experience so far?
2009 was the first Barossa Vintage Festival that I chaired. On Easter Saturday 2009 I had to pick up my son from Adelaide Airport and drive directly to Seppeltsfield for the opening event - Carnival. It can be extremely stressful for the all volunteer Barossa Vintage Festival Committee when implementing new events. We worry if new events will be successful, but when I came over the hill and saw the line-up of parked cars and the huge crowds, I felt so much relief and pride that Carnival was so well supported. Carnival set the tone for a hugely successful 2009 Barossa Vintage Festival.


What event are you looking most forward too in 2011?
There are so many great events it’s hard to single out any particular one. Each year the Committee tries to retain traditions whilst invigorating interest. We are trying to increase and emphasise the arts component for 2011. If we can put together a concert/performance to showcase the strong arts scene in the Barossa, this will be a huge development for the Festival. I also love the old favourites:
• The Festival Parade
• The Ball
• Big, Bold and Brassy
In 2011, we are hoping to have a separate and true jazz night i.e. separate from ‘Under a Hot Tin Roof’. The Friday night of the Festival has been dedicated for many years to ‘Jazz under a Hot Tin Roof’ which is always a great party night, but not particularly a true jazz event. As an unrepentant jazz fan, I am looking forward to a true and separate Jazz event. I know party goers will just love ‘Under a Hot Tin Roof’ which we will retain on the Friday night.

How do you think the Barossa Vintage Festival rates against other events you’ve seen?
I personally rate the Barossa Vintage Festival very highly. It’s unique, well managed and its history and traditions are second on none. I have been to a number of festivals and similar events in Australia and around the world, and to me the Barossa Vintage Festival has unique events and a feeling that we are showcasing a very special culture which we are all proud to be part of.

We hear that it takes well over 1500 volunteers to run the Barossa Vintage Festival each year. Why do you believe people are so happy to get involved with the Festival?
Pure pride in being part of the Barossa. We have a unique history and I find it interesting that so many of our volunteers are comparatively new to the region, but still feel motivated to show off that history and be part of the community.

What do you think makes this event so special?
We are a regional area with a unique mix of agriculture, commerce, food, arts, tradition and history. The Town Days particularly reflect this. I feel very fortunate to be part of the Barossa.

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The Barossa Vintage Festival is the largest and longest running wine festival in Australia. This biennial event runs for nine days from Easter Saturday until Sunday the following week and encompasses all aspects of the Barossa community. The strength of the Barossa Vintage Festival is in the way it has incorporated long-standing regional community traditions into entertaining, inspiring fun events. All aspects of winemaking are reflected on the various days – wine auction, tours, tastings and demonstrations. In addition, the festival showcases other strong traditions of the Barossa, such as fine regional produce, art and craft, its rich musical tradition and strong religious community; all growing from the region’s complex history and reflecting the German heritage of its earliest pioneers. During the nine day-long celebration, some 120 events take place, hosted by over 1500 volunteers and attracting approximately 50,000 people to the region.
For further information, visit the Barossa Vintage Festival website http://www.barossavintagefestival.com.au or email info@barossa.com