Producers urge region’s promotion

Rockingham producers have banded together to promote Peel as a worthy tourist destination, showing off some the region’s top produce.

The move comes after alarming figures from a Tourism Australia survey showed Australia was not recognised as a food-lovers destination.

Peel Estate owner Will Nairn and Rustico Tapas Bar owner Vannessa Phillipson have voiced their support for a Rockingham-based event to promote the region’s quality produce.

Mr Nairn planted his first vines in 1973 and has been producing award-winning wines for the past 20 years.

“Peel region wines have been considered among the best in Australia and last year I was voted top wine in the country for my shiraz,” he said.

Mr Nairn admitted his label and the region’s profile were held back because wineries were struggling to promote themselves as worthwhile.

Mrs Phillipson said the region’s producers’ identity was damaged at the loss of the Mussel Fest.

“It was such a Rockingham-produce day to highlight what we had here,” she said.

Mrs Phillipson said numerous Rustico customers lived outside of the region, but would travel to Rockingham to experience the food and wine offered in the region.

“Rockingham is a worthwhile pace to visit,” she said.

Mrs Phillipson’s business partner and head chef Shannon Whitmore believes a long-table lunch along the city’s foreshore would highlight the region’s food and wine.

The street food festival idea came on the back of Tourism Australia’s Restaurant Australia campaign to combat the country’s poor survey results.