Village prepares for grape escape
Grampians Grape Escape will return in May with a ‘village’ of more than 120 stalls offering wine and food from across the region set to take shape.
As part of the build-up organisers have announced a program for the annual celebration of the Grampians wine region.
The event, based at Halls Gap, provides an opportunity for patrons to take home some of the region’s artisanal goods, learn trade secrets from guest chefs, taste award-winning wine and participate in master classes.
Presented by Neoen’s Bulgana Green Power Hub, under construction a relatively short distance away at Joel Joel, the 2019 event has a program loaded with demonstrations and workshops from some of the country’s leading chefs.
Among guests this year will be chef restaurateur and My Kitchen Rules judge Colin Fassnidge, wildlife chef and author Sarah Glover and television presenter Emmylou Maccarthy.
The festival, on May 4 and 5, is nestled in one of the country’s most picturesque regions and attendees will have an opportunity to meet winemakers and learn from producers while supporting regional industry.
Masterclass, workshops and demonstrations highlighting this year’s program include: • Wine Decantered with Loic Le Calvez from Winetruth. • Tastes of Timboon with Timboon Railway Shed Distillery and Shultz Organic Dairy. • How To Throw A Damn Good Party with Emmylou Maccarthy. • The Olive Branch with Red Rock Olives, Grampians Olive Co and Mount Zero Olives. • Costa’s Digs – Costa Georgiadis from Gardening Australia talks vegetables and hens. • Making Recycling Easy with the Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group. • Eat Truly Local with founder of Warndu Rebecca Sullivan. • Rockstars of Red with Grampians and Pyrenees winemakers. • Sundae School with Dirtgirl and Timboon Fine Ice Cream.
The Grampians Grape Escape also showcases musical talent from a variety of genres.
This year’s line-up includes performances from One Conexion Aboriginal Dance Group; Charlotte Harwood; A Whale Called Phoenix; Sal Kimber and The Rollin’ Wheel; Little Georgia; Sugar Fed Leopards; Purple Revolution Band; 19-Twenty; Orange Whip; and The Baker Boys.
Sunday ticket holders will have a chance to experience a set from lyrical visionary Lloyd Spiegel, awarded four of the highest accolades at the 2019 Australian Blues Music Awards including best artist, best album and best song.
Tickets for Grampians Grape Escape are on sale and being pre-sold from $30 for Sunday general admission to $110 for a complete weekend-tasting ticket.
Children five and under are admitted free of charge, five to 17, $15, and adults from $30. Accommodation packages are available from $410.
More information and tickets are available online at grampiansgrapeescape.com.au.