Next weekend, from 4 to 7 June, the public will be able to enjoy more than 100 international wines in the magnificent historical setting of Pinto Wharf.
The fair marks the start of a series of cultural and entertainment events, which are set to turn the Valletta waterfront into a hive of activity.
The Valletta International Wine Fair will be open to the public from 7.30pm until 11.30pm on 4, 5, 6 and 7 June. On Sunday, 6 June and Monday, 7 June – which is a public holiday – the fair will also be open from 10.30am until 1.00pm. Entrance is free and apart from the numerous high-quality wines available, the public will also be able to enjoy a variety of food.
The Valletta Waterfront project is about much more than building a new cruise liner terminal, said Valletta Waterfront Business Manager Dirk Spiteri Lucas. The aim is to return Pinto Wharf and the surrounding area to its former glory by transforming it into the cultural and entertainment centre of Malta. The Valletta International Wine Fair will give the Maltese public their first taste of what the future holds for this magnificent historical treasure, he said
Participants in the fair will include M Demajo, Wands, Simonds Farsons Cisk, PJ Sutters, Arrigo Group, Cleland & Souchet, Power Imports, Mirachem, Dullard Cellars and Bicanter. Visitors to the fair will also be able to admire the Jaguar X-Type which will be displayed by Gasan Enterprises.
The Valletta International Wine Fair will provide a taste of what the Valletta Waterfront project is aiming to achieve within the next year. VISET plc, who have been entrusted with the project, have a vision of providing top quality leisure and entertainment facilities for cruise and ferry passengers and the Maltese public. The Valletta waterfront will include cafés, restaurants, pubs, bars, nightclubs and retail outlets that will include a variety of products for people of all ages, pockets and tastes.
The facilities at Pinto Wharf are certain to be a very attractive investment opportunity for operators in the leisure and entertainment business. Valletta waterfront will provide a unique 24 hour destination in a historical setting with great views and a guaranteed market of over 500,000 cruise liner passenger every year. These facilities will also be fully accessible to the Maltese public.
Valletta Waterfront will shortly be issuing a call for all those who are interested in leasing a property here to make their interest known. Mr Spiteri Lucas said he was sure that those who visit this weekend’s wine fair will see what an excellent location Valletta waterfront will be. They were, he said, determined that all agreements with prospective tenants will be concluded by November, giving operators the time they need to have their facilities ready to open in June 2005.
During the Valletta wine fair, the public will also have their first opportunity to see the progress made on what will be one of Valletta waterfront’s main attractions, the laguna. The newly-excavated laguna will serve as a great al fresco venue just at the water’s edge and will also have a walkway for people who wish to walk along the edge of the water.
The backdrop of Fort St Angelo, and the historic setting of Pinto Wharf, provide a magnificent setting for all sorts of different activities, from dining al fresco to arts and music festivals. As from June next year, Valletta waterfront will be one of the main commercial centres in Malta and this weekend everyone can enjoy their first taste of a revitalised Valletta, concluded Mr Spiteri Lucas.