Clare Valley unveils 10 days of wine and food fun

The 2023 Clare Valley SCA Gourmet Week program has been released today and it boasts over 80 events across the 10-day festival in May.

Event organiser Belinda Heinrich of Clare Valley Wine & Grape Association said this year's 39th edition of one of Australia's first gourmet festivals is set to be bigger and better than ever. 

“There has never been a better time to make a stay of it - the midweek and final weekend programs have seen a marked increase in the number and variety of events,” she said. 

Held in the lovely Clare Valley - perhaps the country’s most quintessentially Australian wine region -  this event turns the spotlight on local wines and produce; showcases chefs from across Australia; and features a diverse entertainment line-up. 

The 10-day festival is split into three parts; Festival Weekend (May 19-21), Breathe It In (May 22-26) and Land of the Long Lunch (May 27-28).

The first weekend sees the region’s cellar doors and restaurants doing something a little different with Mitchell Wines welcoming chef Duncan Welgemoed's innovative South African-accented cooking style in Clare for the first time. 

Pikes, meanwhile, is throwing a Paella Party on the lawns, bringing back an oyster shucking

station from Pacific Estate Oysters.

The midweek Breathe It In sector sees Sevenhill Cellars offer a guided tour of a 100-year-old vineyard and underground cellar along with with yoga and art classes. 

Many cellar doors will also show off back vintage and hard-to-find wines throughout the week.

Land of the Long Lunch will feature events like Terroir Auburn presenting wine-writing duo Nick Ryan and Nick Stock with food from chef Dan Moss. 

Arkhé chef Jake Kellie, meanwhile, will be cooking over fire with Jim Barry Wines in their Armagh vineyard hut. 

Visit www.clarevalley.com.au/stay to book accommodation and see the full program at www.clarevalleygourmet.com.au. 

 

Images: Matt Turner 

Clare Valley Gourmet Week signs up star chefs

Several star chefs have been named to join the festivities at the 2023 Clare Valley Gourmet Week to be held in May.

Callum Hann, Duncan Welgemoed and Jake Kellie are among the names pairing up with Clare Valley wineries and venues to create food experiences.

The Clare is one of Australia's most beautiful wine regions and wine lovers and foodies are being encouraged to register their interest early to make sure of a spot.

Kellie will cook over fire with Jim Barry Wines in their Armagh vineyard.

“This will be my third year cooking at The Armagh Hut and I can’t wait," Arkhe chef Kellie said ."It’s one of my favourite events of the year.” 

The 10-day festival is broken into three sectors: Festival Weekend (May 19-21), Breathe It In (May 22-26) and Land of the Long Lunch (May 27-28).

Early highlights - the itinerary is still being finalised - include the Gourmet Long Lunch @ Taylors by Sprout May 20-21, where Hann will cook a "long lunch" paired with Taylors wines. Tickets also include a cooking demonstration, access to winemakers and a gift bag for every guest.

The Classic Clare Valley Gourmet Feast in the Fields of Firebrands is a new event on May 20 with Africola pan handlers Welgemoed cooking in collaboration with Seed Clare Valley 

Guests can enjoy wines by Matriarch & Rogue and Wines by KT with live music.

Another highlight is the Watervale Hotel Cellars without Doors Dinner on May 19, which features producers who do not have cellar doors. Their wines will be matched with a six-course degustation dinner by South Australian chef of the year Nicola Palmer.

The week will also feature immersive experiences like Wine under the Stars at Eldredge Vineyards on May 23.

Shuttle buses operating on constant loops, linking the valley over the weekends.

An absolute higlight will be the Wendouree Degustation dinner at the Watervale Hotel, open tio just 20 guests.

The full event line up will be released mid-March at www.clarevalleygourmet.com.au