Margaret River Wine Festival

Mar 16th 2011, 15:00 by Mandalay | Posted in Events

The Margaret Wine Region Festival begins this Thursday. The Margaret River Wine Festival covers the entire region from Dunsborough to Augusta, with events occurring at various locations from Thursday 17th through to Monday the 21st of March.

Winenot connect with one of Australia’s favourite wine regions? Celebrate Vintage as you forage for local produce and sample from over 300 wines at the Vintage Festival, enjoy a day out at the cricket or just get caught up in the natural beauty and bounty of the region as you immerse your senses!

The Festival begins with the Dunsborough Street Fiesta, located in the Dunsborough Lions Park and town centre.  Kick off the Festival in a relaxed and fun fashion, with a free evening of wine tasting, gourmet delights, late night shopping and live music… something for the whole family. The theme for the night is “Wear Green on the Green” to celebrate St Patrick’s Day!

The events continue with the Slow Food Long Table Feast at Leeuwin Estate on Friday the 18^th March.  Experience a delicious afternoon of seasonal delights paired with much-admired wines created by passionate chefs. Chefs including Rob Gough from Settlers Tavern, Tony Howell of Cape Lodge, Dany Angove of Leeuwin Estate, Aaron Carr of Vasse Felix, Matt Egan of Cullen and Franco & Lella Gimelli from Relish the Experience. Local produce will be showcased in a rustic lunch feast including generous shared platters of spit-roasted lamb, seafood and other delicacies served alfresco in the stunning gardens at Leeuwin Estate.

In Margaret River on the Friday is the Street Fiesta.  Local wine, food and entertainment will be on show, with the highlight of the Margaret River Street Fiesta will be a Giant Slide down Willmott St approximately 50m long ending in a pool of grapes!  Vino Carnivale follows the Street Fiesta at Xanadu Wines, A decadent evening to put some Samba in your Semillon, featuring wines, stylish tapas and a feast of entertainment with street performers and live music.  Entertainment by the awesome Brazilian dance spectacular "Sambalicious".

The main even of the festival occurs on Saturday, with the Vintage Festival being held at Palmer Wines in Dunsborough. Meet the passionate winemakers, inspired artisans and committed producers from this amazing region! Experience the region's bounty of natural produce as you graze your way through offerings of over 40 wineries and a dozen foodies.  On the day you can take part in a wine master-class or you can open sample from over 300 wines, or just sit back and enjoy the live local music throughout the day.

Other events throughout the weekend include the Vintage Art Trail in Dunsborough, Presidents Trophy Twenty20 Cricket Match in Cowaramup, MadFish Wines Barbie Feast, and a Dugustation Lunch at Claiault.  There are so many things to see and do this post could go on forever!  If you are interested in finding out more, winenot chaeck out the Wine Region events website: http://www.margaretriverfestival.com/events.html

Tickets for all events are now on sale through Ticketmaster, shuttles are available and Mandalay has vacancies in both sites and accommodation to rest your weary bones after long, luxurious days of eating, drinking and enjoying!