Lover of fine food, wines, and being surrounded by nature?
Then dont miss the annual Grampians Grape Escape.
Therell be over 80 vendors of regional produce, local wines and gourmet delights, live music and childrens entertainment.
The beautiful Grampians National Park in Victoria plays host to the event, and you cant fail to be inspired by the mountainous scenery and stunning bushland while you explore the Grape Escapes attractions.
2009 Grampians Grape Escape
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Celebrity chef Fast Ed Halmagyi from Channel 7s Better Home & Gardens will be featuring at the festival all weekend at the Main Marquee, back by popular demand.
Ed will be whipping up some delights using regional produce that will be sure to inspire the foodies – last years cooking demonstrations featured a mouth-watering tea-smoked lamb with kale, herb, and beetroot salad, and a tantalising coffee crepe roulade with marmalade and marscapone!
Even more tempting is the exclusive Sunday breakfast with Ed Halmagyi, where just 20 lucky people who book ahead can be part of an intimate cooking demonstration featuring a delicious breakfast matched with local sparkling wines. I couldnt think of a better way to start the day! An exquisite 3-course festival dinner also hosted by Fast Ed will be held on the Saturday evening at 7pm at a cost of $110 per person, matched also with fine regional wines.
Wine of the Grampians
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The vineyards of the Grampians are home to Australias first sparkling wine, Great Western, and the region is also known for its shiraz, chardonnay, Riesling, cabernet sauvignon and pinot noir. The Grampians National Park sits along the Great Grape Touring Route, which passes through Ararat, Ballarat and the Pyrenees region of rural Victoria.
The long-standing tradition of the Barrique Auction, held on the first day of the Grampians wine festival will feature a limited unique Shiraz blend produced collaboratively by three innovative winemakers from the Grampians region. 300 bottles of the Grampians Winemakers Reserve Shiraz 2007 will go under the hammer.
Even if youre not a wine connoisseur, therell be plenty to savour among the selections of regional food producers and vendors, including cheeses, olives and olive oil, almonds, honey and spices, farmgate beef, and even yabby products from a local yabby farm!
Make the Most of Your Grampians Weekend Away
While youre visiting the Grampians region, why not explore the National Park itself, with its beautiful bushwalks, waterfalls, rock pools and sites of Aboriginal heritage. Autumn is the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors.
General admission to the Grape Escape is just $5.
But for a mere $25 you can indulge in the wine lovers package which gives you a selection of wine tastings from over 30 wine producers who will be attending the event, and a souvenir wine glass. The town of Halls Gap is 3 hours from Melbourne, Victorias glamorous capital, and is easily reachable by car.
Public transport is possible too, but with rural Victoria you have to take into account that the journey can be somewhat longer and less convenient.
The Grape Escape is held at the Village Oval from 11am both days.
It is a great excuse to go visit one of the most beautiful national parks of Australia!
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Grampians
Accommodation: Halls Gap Pomonal Dunkeld
Events: Grampians Grape Escape