Victoria’s favourite food and wine festival, Grampians Grape Escape is preparing for the arrival of thousands of foodies, families and wine lovers in Halls Gap this weekend to indulge in the delicious offerings of over 120 exhibitors.
Based in Grampians National Park at the foot of the majestic Mount William on Saturday, 6 and Sunday, 7 May, the festival follows a month long series of events celebrating the magnificent food and wine produced in the Grampians.
New festival directors, Kate Kirkpatrick and Vanessa Briody of Oregional Collective are excited to welcome festival goers.
“As a local who has enjoyed attending the Grampians Grape Escape for many years, along with Vanessa, I am very much looking forward to seeing people enjoy the wonderful program we’ve put together this year,” Ms Kirkpatrick said.
Adam Liaw will headline the weekend’s festivities. The television personality, author and 2010 MasterChef winner will bring his own unique style of cooking to the Grampians using local produce and impressing audiences with his natural flair.
Joining Mr Liaw for the annual wine and food pilgrimage is culinary dessert queen, Kate Ferguson, who will form part of the packed entertainment line-up.
Live music will set the scene for Grape Escapers, with the perfect mix of talented performers including the skin tingling Deline Briscoe, William Crighton, Freya Josephine Hollick, Shag Rock and plenty more providing the ultimate accompaniment to the fabulous food and wine.
Kids are in for a real treat with the all-new Little Foodies Tent hosted by Stawell’s own David O Jones Mitre 10 offering lessons on planting herbs, plus they’ll get to grape stomp, pet native animals and meet a celebrity snake from the Halls Gap Zoo!
Sunday will be fun-day with extra kids’ activities including pasta making, chef’s hat decorating, a rock climbing wall and much more.
This year ‘slightly out of towners’ needn’t worry about driving or parking as the Christians Bus Co will be providing transfers to the festival from surrounding townships including Ararat, Stawell, Moysten, Horsham, Pomonal and St Arnaud for those who want to enjoy a glass of wine or two.
Brambuk – The National Park & Culture Centre comes to Grampians Grape Escape in 2017 to showcase the region. Visit the Brambuk Marquee and see displays and talks on regional artefacts, didgeridoo demonstrations, boomerang painting, message stone decorating and indigenous face painting.
Masterclasses with local producers showcasing their talents and local vintners sharing their wine knowledge are again sure to be a hit with festival attendees, while connoisseurs will bid for the best Shiraz from the Grampians region in the hotly contested Barrique Auction.
For more information and to book your Grampians Grape Escape tickets visit grampiansgrapeescape.com.au.
