Family-owned Yarra Valley wineries to open their sheds

 

Enjoy visiting smaller wineries? 

Make a note of the upcoming Yarra Valley Shedfest 2025. 

The event will be held in the Yarra on the weekend of October 11-12. 

Lovers of cool-climate wines can bring friends, kids and even your fur babies to 13 family-owned Yarra Valley producers. 

Each winery will offer its own twist on food, tastings, music and entertainment. 

The entry ticket is a flat $35, which gives access to tastings at all participating wineries on one and/or two days.

Tickets can be purchased at an earlybird rate until October 1 to save 10%.

A diverse selection of dishes under $25 will be available at each participating winery.

Menu offerings will range from authentic Sicilian barbecue from Melitta Next Door head chef Lorena Corso, Texan-style burgers, pizzas and pasta, Vietnamese bao, and Japanese curries. Kids and those with special dietary requirements won’t miss out either, with most wineries catering for both.

The wine producers involved are: Billanook Estate, Boat O'Craigo, Fin Wines, Helen's Hill, Seville Hill, Six Acres, Soumah, Steels Gate, Sutherland Estate, Tokar Estate, Whispering Hills, Yering Farm and Yileena Park.

 

The event will run from 11am-5pm on each day. 

Discover more at http://shedfest.com.au/

Gippsland to welcome a new gourmet festival

Gippsland is to welcome a new spring gourmet festival.

Eat Drink Play Gippsland will make its debut in South Gippsland on Saturday, October 18.

The event promises to bring together the Victorian region’s best food, wine, beer, distillers, restauranteurs and producers together for afull day of celebration that will rolls into an evening festival of open-air music featuring acts including the Melbourne Ska Orchestra and Emma Donovan.

The event in Leongatha’s Railway Precinct is being guided by Dan Sims, the brains behind Pinot Palooza and Mould, as well as The Hills Are Alive Group, run by lifelong locals Aidan and Rhett McLaren.

Guests can expect bites from local favourites like Trulli, Hogget Kitchen, and Messmates, plus pours from winemakers including Fleet, The Wine Farm, Dirty Three, Patrick Sullivan, Xavier Wine and Lightfoot Wines.

Gurneys Cider, Loch Distillery, and Sailors Grave Brewing will also feature, alongside dairy delights from Gippsland Jersey, Prom Country Cheese, and Loch Cheese Merchant.

Day session tickets are $35, running from 11am to 5pm.

Night session tickets are $49 per person and run from 6pm to 10pm.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the inaugural Eat Drink Play Gippsland festival come to life” says South Gippsland Shire Council Mayor John Schelling.

“This event is a celebration of our region’s talented producers, makers and creatives, and a really great opportunity to showcase everything we have to offer. 

“From world-class wine and food, music and culture, it’s a chance for locals and visitors alike to experience Gippsland’s offerings and hospitality in one unforgettable weekend. South Gippsland Shire Council is proud to support an event that shines a spotlight on our region and brings our community together in such a vibrant celebration at the terrific Leongatha Railway precinct.”

More info at eatdrinkplaygippsland.com.au

Barangaroo comes alive in October

Look out for a new gourmet happenings at Sydney's hip Barangaroo precinct.

Barangaroo will host the inaugural Festival of Food at The Streets of Barangaroo in October.

The new festival promises to showcase an array of culinary collaborations, immersive experiences, and lively entertainment, I am reliably informed by their operatives.

Some events will be free, others ticketed.

“The Streets of Barangaroo is recognised as one of Sydney’s go-to food and dining destinations," says head of asset management at Lendlease, Scott Meehan.

"The Festival of Food is designed to celebrate the best of what the precinct has to offer from leading cuisine to diverse culture and will be welcomed by our well-established community and visitors alike.”

Highlights include events hosted by chef Mitch Orr, a collab between Lotus Barangaroo, Born by Tapavino, and Oh Boo Chocolates and Smoke on the Water, a whisky tasting event at NOLA Smokehouse & Bar.

Spring In The Streets will see Barangaroo Avenue and surrounds become an open-air celebration of the end of the work week on Fridays 11, 18 and 25th of October.

Barangaroo Avenue will be closed to traffic and play host to a live music stage featuring a diverse line-up of local talent.

Bar Hop Barangaroo will see visitors invited to bop their way through Barangaroo’s array of bars and restaurants throughout October.

Located on Sydney’s waterfront, The Streets are home to a mix of over 90 food and beverage operators in food and beverage, lifestyle, fashion, wellness, and convenience.

For more info or to book tickets go to https://www.thestreetsofbarangaroo.com/news-and-events/festival-of-food/

Hotel brand shows it has a heart

 

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts is running its annual Kilo of Kindness campaign for the month of October, collecting community donations of clothes, food, toys, and school supplies in support of charitable organisations.

Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer and Mövenpick Hotel Hobart are inviting guests, visitors, and members of their local communities to bring in one or more kilos of pre-loved and soon-to-be-reloved donations.

“Mövenpick believes in the power of food as a force for good and a medium for positive change, so we invite you to bring a bag of donations to one of our participating hotels,” said Kishan Chandnani, global vice president, premium brands, for Accor.

“Each year, Kilo of Kindness gives us the opportunity to weave the warm Mövenpick spirit of generosity more deeply throughout our communities. The campaign allows us to reach beyond our hotel walls and share our food - along with clothing, toys, and school supplies – with those most in need, bringing more smiles to the faces in our communities.”

This year, Mövenpick's Kilo of Kindness aims to gather 25,000 kilos of donations, across 77 participating Mövenpick hotels around the world - a record number of destinations.

“Acts of kindness really do hold weight," says Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer general manager Cory Norris-Jones.

"Our team is delighted to receive donations on behalf of our local charity, Food For Families, throughout October.

"Simply load a bag with a kilo or more of donations, drop it off at our hotel and leave with a warm smile and a lighter heart.

"It's an easy way to do good, feel good, and keep the good vibes going around Melbourne.”

In Hobart, GM Andrew Walling says: "Our team is proud to support Kilo of Kindness again this year. Hobart is a large community and this is one of many opportunities where we can give back to our amazing city.

"“We are humbled to work with the Hobart Women's Shelter as our charity this year, assisting them in supporting women and children in need. Hotel guests and locals alike are welcome to drop off goods to the hotel lobby throughout October. Every kilo counts.”

Kilo of Kindness donations may be delivered to Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer and Mövenpick Hotel Hobart throughout October.

See www.movenpick.com/en/kilo-of-kindness.