Iconic Grampians festival returns

An iconic food and wine festival will return to the Wimmera in April in a testament to the continued attraction of the region’s producers and tourism operators.

Grampians Grape Escape, in Halls Gap from April 29 to May 1, will host exhibitor wine, beer and cider tastings, guest chefs, cooking masterclasses, live music and dancing.

The last festival was in 2019, before COVID-19 restrictions cancelled the event in proceeding years.

Grampians Tourism chief executive Marc Sleeman said the festival, which attracted more than 8000 people in 2019, was a ‘hero’ event of the region.

“It is our signature event. It combines a love of great produce with one of Australia’s longestrunning food and wine festivals. We are ecstatic to have it back on the calendar,” he said.

“It brings new audiences to the region and some statistics have shown that about 60 percent of festival attendees are first-timers to our region, which shows how amazing the Grampians and the festival will continue to be.”

The event will also showcase Grampians natural sites and visitor experiences.

As part of a wider Grampians stay, visitors can experience the Silo Art Trail and hiking attractions, including the Grampians Peak Trail.

The festival program will be released closer to the event.

Grampians Estate owner and the festival’s first life-member Tom Guthrie said he was excited about the event’s annual Grampians winemakers shiraz barrique auction.

The barrique, containing the blend of some of the region’s best shiraz from different Grampians wineries, is sold at auction in a variety of sized bottles and packages.

Mr Guthrie said the wine blend could be sampled by visitors before the auction.

“The wine normally ages into a beautiful drop. It is great for cellaring for years, and given the quality of last year’s harvest, it is something people should treasure,” he said.

Labor Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford said Halls Gap provided a ‘beautiful natural’ backdrop for the festival and the weekend was a ‘homage’ to the wine, food and music of the Grampians region.

“We back events like the Grampians Grape Escape because they attract more visitors, support local jobs and grow regional economies,” she said.

The festival received State Government funding as part of a $20-million Regional Events Fund.

Mr Sleeman said additional funding had enabled the festival to become a three-day event rather than a two-day celebration.

Grampians Grape Escape board chairman Kevin Erwin said he was looking forward to welcoming visitors to the Grampians.

“We thank the Victorian government for helping us put on a great event in regional Victoria,” he said. • Grampians wineries excited, pages 20 and 21.