The ultimate weekend

Media Release
Tuesday 26 April 2016

Escape to the Grampians for the ultimate culinary weekend

The Grampians Grape Escape is busily preparing for the arrival of thousands of food and wine lovers who will make their way to Halls Gap for the ultimate weekend of culinary indulgence as the event celebrates its 25th birthday on 30 April – 1 May.

One of regional Australia’s longest running food and wine festivals, the Grampians Grape Escape will host over 100 of the best local provedores and producers as well as beer, wine and cider artisans for festival goers to sip, taste and savour.

Festival Director, David Wheaton is excited for the weekend.

“I am really looking forward to celebrating 25 years this weekend, I’m so proud of how far the event has come since its inception.

“As part of our official opening at midday on Saturday, we will take a trip down memory lane where people can learn all about the festival’s roots and get a jumpstart on the weekend’s festivities.

“Each year we’ve built on the year before, with headline chef Miguel Mastre and Australian music icon Kate Ceberano, the 25th Grampians Grape Escape looks set to be our best yet, so I encourage everyone to come and enjoy,” Mr Wheaton said.

Joining Ms Ceberano in a cracking musical entertainment line-up will be celebrated Mutti Mutti man Kutcha Edwards, local favourites The Settlement, ARIA award winner Monique Brumby and her band The Ryders as well as Tree of Strings, Luke Bourchier, Garret Kato and Amy Pollock.

Fun and lively cooking demonstrations will be held over both days by the larger-than-life Spanish personality Miguel Maestre while quirky ‘edible adventurer’ Alice in Frames entertains kids and grownups through tale telling and heathy meal creations.

As part of the Masterclass Program running all weekend, keen foodies will love learning from the pros on the different classifications of olive oil, the health benefits of herbs and spices and how to make the perfect chocolate soufflé.

Wine lovers will relish in tastings and discussions on topics such as the Terroir of the Pyrenees, wine appreciation and why Victorian Shiraz is an amazing food wine hosted by winemakers from some of the top wineries in the Grampians and Pyrenees regions.

Connoisseurs will bid on the hotly contested Grampians Winemakers Barrique Reserve Shiraz – a 2014 vintage blend that includes wine from Montara, Best’s Great Western, Seppelt, Grampians Estate, Mount Langi Ghiran, AT Richardson Wines and Clarnette & Ludvigsen.

With some of Halls Gap Zoo’s favourite residents’ relocating to the festival for the weekend little Grape Escapers are in for a treat. As well as meeting the animals kids can get their face painted, play and dance in an enormous whale, test their grape stomping abilities and be entertained by everyone’s favourite clown, Professor Prefosser.

Tickets to the action packed Grampians Grape Escape are still available but selling fast.