FOLLOW THE WINE TRAIL

There’s grape expectations at The Marine Village as they prepare to welcome wine lovers to town

IT’S time to draw straws for designated driver as the annual Winter Wine festival returns to Sanctuary Cove.

Food and wine lovers are invited to follow an indulgent wine trail as The Marine Village toasts the spoils of the season across a weekend of wine tasting and appreciation events, fine dining and live entertainment.

The festival showcases wines from local, national and international regions, as winelovers meander along the picturesque streets, stopping along the way at attractions spread across two pavilions.

One such area will be Black Angus Bar and Grill, which will be offering a range of Margaret River Brygon Reserve wines.

“We’re really excited to be a part of the festival again,” manager Steven Schafferman (pictured) says.

“We will be along the wine trail, but we’ll be offering wines all weekend, doing samples and tastings, focusing on Brygon Reserve Wines from the Margaret River in Western Australia.

“There will be a bit of everything – cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, shiraz, sauvignon blanc – everyone will find a drop they love.”

The restaurant has also put together a special two-course menu to complement the wines.

“There will be three different entrees and three mains for diners to choose from,” Steven says. “For example, one main is the 200g sirloin and you can have it cooked char-grilled or on our specialty hot rock. That’s the one I would recommend – nice red wine with a nice steak.”

Also on the menu is black truffle potato gnocchi and a whole New Zealand sole.

Stops along the trail include Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove, Ioesco Cafe Cucina, Dragon Cove, Anchor Buoy Cafe and Bar, Cafe Nineteen and more, plus pop-up areas encompassing The Vineyard, Corkers Lane and the Sirromet Wine Bar.

“I believe that Sanctuary Cove is a beautiful spot for it, it’s easy to walk everywhere and it’s friendly little community,” Steven says. “You can walk from one spot to another, get samples and try wines.

“I hope it’s not just great for us but for the whole village. It’ll be a big success.”

Sanctuary Cove Winter Wine Festival, this Saturday and Sunday at The Marine Village