Grape Escape
Grampians wine producers are rejoicing in the return of an iconic food and wine festival they hope will cement a POSTCOVID-19 boom for business.
The Grampians Grape Escape returns to the region after a three-year hiatus from the calendar.
It is Victoria’s longest-running food and wine festival, run over the first weekend of May, that celebrates an end to the grape-harvest season in Victoria.
Grampians wine producers and tourist businesses are confident the festival will not only signal a return of Grampians wineries to the top of visitor’s bucket-lists but showcase the region’s motivation for continual progress.
The Weekly Advertiser spoke to three Grampians wine producers about their excitement for the festival and business adaptability in the region’s wine-making community.
Pomonal Estate
Pep Atchison, owner and director of Pomonal Estate along with her husband Adam, said the festival was a ‘big deal’ for the region.
“It is a showcase of everything the Grampians has to offer,” she said.
She said while pre-harvest was normally a ‘quieter’ time for the business, January and February were ‘just crazy’.
“We are so tired, but it is so great to be so busy,” she said.
“People have been busting to get out of Melbourne and head back to the region. We had Ross Wilson at the estate for a Saturday of live music in January, which was a bit of a kick-starter for the year.
“We have had lots of birthdays and weddings throughout February, huge events we don’t normally have.
“I think people have missed celebrating each other and are keen to get out.” Mrs Atchison said the key was adapting. “It is about moving with the times. We try to listen to people and give them what they are after. It is up to us to create the experience. Simply, it is about listening and placating,” she said.
“Be like Madonna. She always changed with the times and winemakers in the Grampians have had to do it too. You just can’t do it any other way. We love the region and these food and wine events. These festivals are a part of the entire community showcase experience.”
Mrs Atchison said she had been in the wine industry for more than 30 years.
She said she was confident the way for any regional business community to flourish was through community networks and support.
“The region has really worked together, and you have to do that. I think COVID-19 really helped our community take charge and capture the value in working together. No one wants to see anyone else fail,” she said.
“And now things are coming together for the region, this festival will be a showcase of this community’s strength.”
Mrs Atchison said the produce the winery was keen on showcasing at the Grape Escape, apart from its wine, was its ginger beer.
“Sometimes our ginger beer can be our biggest seller at these events. People will be drinking a lot of wine all day and they will need something to clean their palate. We might go through 200 or 300 in a day,” she said.
“It is about adapting and making use of opportunities.”
Mountainside Wines
Jane and Shane Goninon operate family business Mountainside Wines.
Mrs Goninon said it was a testament to the Grampian region’s quality produce the Grape Escape was able to include a Friday evening extension to the normally two-day weekend event.
She said people were ‘busting’ to enjoy the region’s businesses and attractions again.