Rosé Coast co-producer and creative director Kristen Francis said the one-day festival at the Gold Coast’s Kurrawa Beach on 1 May aimed to be the nation’s premier rosé celebration.

More than 20 wine-growing regions across Australia have already locked into the Gold Coast showcase that highlights the rosé trend.

Francis, who is also founder and festival director of the Wine Island festival held on Clark Island in Sydney Harbour, said the Gold Coast was the obvious choice as the Australian location to exclusively host the event.

“Queensland is a big market for rosé, everywhere you look people are drinking pink. It is a drink that has been on the rise for the past five years and it’s just not going anywhere,” Francis said.

“Rosé is best enjoyed outdoors in the sun and on the beach, it is not an indoor style drink so that just complements Queensland perfectly.”

Francis said the Gold Coast was synonymous with the pink drop as well as being famous for its beaches and maturity as an events city.

“We’ve got a background of putting on unique events in special places,” she said.

“Rosé and the Gold Coast go hand-in-hand.  They are very complementary of one another, conjuring up sunshine, beachside, lifestyle and friends.

“This is where Rosé Coast is starting and this is where it will hopefully take place each year.”

She said Queensland and the Gold Coast’s COVID-safe plans made it easy to stage events to the city.

Major Events Gold Coast chief Jan McCormick said the Gold Coast had already lured significant national and international events allowing the city to host a full program of more than 100 events for 2021.

“As an event which fits our destination so perfectly, I am delighted to welcome Rosé Coast Gold Coast to our city,” McCormick said.

Rosé wine sales continue to increase worldwide, especially in Australia.

Drinks market analysis agency IWSR’s most recent report shows rosé’s strong growth in sales has helped the combined red wine and rosé share of the global wine market overtake white for the first time.

Australian labels including Tulloch, Grant Burge, Chaffey Brothers, Dalfarras, and Trimboli Family Wines will be joined by Sirromet, Queensland’s only winery to feature at Rosé Coast.

Sirromet marketing manager Theresa Matthews said rosé was one of the Mount Cotton winery’s most popular products.

Matthews said Sirromet had launched a new vintage, Fine Pastel Rosé by Sirromet, in time for the Gold Coast event.