Why this gourmet festival is vital for small community

It's idiosyncratic, fun and thirst inducing.

One of Australia's longest-running food and wine festivals, Grampians Grape Escape, returns to Halls Gap from May 2-4 for a weekend of food, wines, and entertainment.

In the foothills of Grampians National Park, the festival features close to 100 exhibitors, including the region's winemakers, produce, craft beer, distillery creations and artisanal goods.

Guests can enjoy masterclasses, live cooking demonstrations and a music line-up starting with all local talent on opening night: Feel Good Friday.

Festival Highlights will include the chance to sample wines from over 30 local wineries from regional icons Mount Langi Ghiran to new-wave makers Black & Ginger (top image). The Barrique Auction returns with a 2023 Shiraz blended by winemaker Jacob Parton from Best's Wines.

Cooking demonstrations will be conducted by local talent Dean Sibthorp (Mount William Station), alongside Masterchef alumni Justine Schofield and Dani Venn.

Regional producers will include new business Grampians Vinegar, Grampians Olive Co, Kerrie's Kreations and Wimmera Grain Store.


Regional events like Grampians Grape Escape are crucial for communities recovering from natural disasters, including the recent bushfires in the Grampians National Park.

With small businesses facing income losses and fewer visitors to the region over the summer period, festivals provide an essential economic boost.

“Grampians Grape Escape is about more than just food and wine," says festival director Kate Kirkpatrick.

"It's a celebration of community and resilience. After the continuing challenges of the Pomonal and Grampians National Park bushfires, we're grateful to offer an event that brings people together, supports local businesses and showcases the best of the region.”

Tickets are on sale now at www.grampiansgrapeescape.com.au. Options include general admission, tasting tickets and three-day passes, along with local shuttle buses.

Discover a grape escape with a difference

Fancy owning a barrique of fine red wine? 

Or maybe you'd rather just enjoy a glass or two on a day out in the country? 

The Grampians Grape Escape is back on at Halls Gap in Victoria at the end of April and start of May. 

Grampians Winemakers will be hosting their annual Grampians Winemakers Shiraz Barrique Auction; an opportunity for wine lovers, collectors and connoisseurs to take home something special. 

Each winery involved in the auction has provided a small volume of their best shiraz from the 2020 vintage. A tasting will be held prior to the auction at the Barrique Bar.

The barrique to be auctioned will be the 28^th vintage blend that has been produced in the region for auction.

Wineries involved include the likes of Blue Pyrenees, Seppelt, Taltarni, Mount Avoca, Montara, Best's Great Western, Mount Langhi Ghiran and Henty Estate.  

The event returns after a two-year hiatus. I attended a few years ago and it was terrific. 

A not-for-profit festival, Grampians Grape Escape has spotlighted the region’s producers and makers for 30 years and this year will welcome visitors for an extended celebration over three days from Friday, April 29 to Sunday, May 1. 

There will be over 100 exhibitors from Western Victoria and the festival’s first ever Feel-Good Friday will offer visitors the chance to enjoy an afternoon snack from a selection of food trucks, enjoy a local drop from the bar and dust off their dancing shoes with sets from Purple Revolution, a Prince tribute band, and Mixtape’s 80s covers.

Saturday and Sunday will see an array of stalls serving up everything from burgers to paella with cooking demonstrations from guest chefs Geoff Jansz and Emmylou MacCarthy (never heard of her, sorry).  

For more information and to buy tickets, visit the festival website: http://grampiansgrapeescape.com.au/