Northern Victoria is set to get squishing as one of Australia’s longest running food and wine festivals returns for 2018.
The Grampians are gearing up to showcase their best selections of food and wine through a variety of culinary events held across the region during the whole month of April, as it all leads up to the Grampians Grape Escape weekend on May 5 and 6.
This year’s festival will see the Grampians Grape Escape team up with chef and TV host Paul West, as well as Matt Sinclair, host of Channel 10’s The Cooks Pantry and runner up of Masterchef AU. These two TV personalities will host masterclasses and cooking demonstrations using the finest local and seasonal produce.
“I’ve heard so much about the Grampians, I can’t wait to get there and experiment with its renowned fresh produce and great wines,” Paul West said.
Chef Matt Sinclair is just as eager as Paul, saying “The Grampians Grape Escape is one of the best regional food and wine festivals in the country and I’m really looking forward to spending time there cooking for festival goers”.
The festival will share some of Australia’s most distinguished winemakers from the Grampians, Pyrenees and Henty regions such as Montara Wines, Best’s Greater Western, Barangaroo Boutique Wine and more. Visitors can meet the winemakers and learn from the producers who experimented with techniques, and pushed boundaries, to bring award winning wines and newly discovered products for festival goers to enjoy.
Visitors can also lap up the unparalleled experience of live music performed by local and national artists amongst the breathtaking Grampians bushland with headlining acts like the The Settlement and local bands like Orange Whip. Other artists include Coby Grant, Nicholas Charles, Stringybark McDowell and Mollycoddle, The Wanderers, Madhouse the Band, Mitch King, Alice Skye and the band, The Kite Machine and Grim Fawkner.
There’s also the highly anticipated annual Grampians Winemakers Reserve Shiraz Barrique which will return to give bidders the chance to take home a rare ‘taste of the Grampians’ once the weekend is over.
Grampians Grape Escape is also child friendly, allowing parents to partake knowing their mini festival goers are well entertained at the festival village with native animals, boomerang painting, potting herb workshops, pasta making and plenty more.
Whether you are looking for a weekend escape or a day’s getaway, gather the troops and head down to Grampians Grape Escape to sip on the region’s signature wines, browse over 120 stalls, and embrace the unrivaled location that is the Grampians.
Adult ticket prices start at $30pp, ranging up to $110pp for the complete tasting ticket weekend experience. Each ticket provides access to the festival village with plenty to eat, drink and do including live music, kid’s activities, cooking demonstrations and masterclasses.
Tasting tickets include a souvenir glass to sample wine, beer and cider until 4:00pm daily plus free access to the Cloakroom and Winestore service.
Children up to the age of 5 are free with kids under the age of 18 only $15 for the weekend.
For more information, to buy tickets and receive updates on program announcements visit Grampians Grape Escape.
