A retired business owner, my passions are cooking, photography and eating. I use all three of these when I write for recipeyum.com.au which is on HubGarden
Published January 3rd 2018
Make sure you read about all these events
This is a list of events that I feel would be worth travelling down south for. Getting to this part of our State is not that far to drive, and what lovely weather they have during March - not too hot, but also not yet cold!
Our South West towns host world-class events attracting internationally-renowned chefs, surfers and musicians, as well as excellent farmers' markets and craft fairs celebrating local produce.
1. PORONGORUP WINE FESTIVAL
This festival is going back to it's roots ... The Porongurup Wine Festival is heading back to the place where it all started 30 years ago!
The very first Porongurup Wine Festival was held in 1989 with Jingalla, Castle Rock Estate and Karrivale Wines hosting the event.
Owners of the property Annette and Campbell McCready are delighted to be hosting this festival again in 2018 at "Karridale".
The local wineries will offer you their award-winning wines for you to taste. You will enjoy a day of live music, fine wines, local food stalls and entertainment for the whole family.
You will be able to watch culinary masterpieces being created at the One Wok Wonder and cooking demonstrations with celebrity chefs. Or you can join one of the fun Wine Masterclasses, or why not compete in the Grape Stomping competition for fantastic prizes?
There will be lots of children's activities including a sand pit treasure hunt, obstacle race and face painting.
WHERE
Karridale" 153 Woodlands Rd Porongurup
WHEN
Sunday 4th March, 2018
COST
Children accompanied by an adult under age 18-free.
Entry includes complimentary wine tastings and a souvenir tasting glass.
Pre-purchase: $22
At the Gate: $25 cash only
TICKETS
Wine Masterclass tickets can be purchased on the day for $10 per person (numbers strictly limited to 30 places per session). Wine and food is available to be purchased on site. Please bring cash to avoid disappointment, as EFTPOS may be unreliable or unavailable at festival stalls.
MORE INFORMATION
Entry and Bus tickets also available, departing from Albany, Denmark and Mount Barker with Busy Blue Bus, and Denmark Winelovers Tours - see link above under "tickets".
2. TASTE GREAT SOUTHERN
The Great Southern of Western Australia represents one of the most diverse and engaging tourism, food and wine regions you could imagine!
This area covers the south coast and expanding into the farming hinterland which includes major centres like Albany, Denmark, Mt Barker, Kojonup and Katanning.
Great Southern produce is fresh, natural, seasonal and exceptional. There are foods like oysters and seafood, cereal crops, beef and lamb, vegetables and milk products, and the wine varietals such as Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Riesling which are excellent and compete internationally along with the best wines.
There will be over 40 events, including festivals, markets, degustations, dinners and lunches, wine tasting, beer, coffee and spirit sessions, food and wine pairing, masterclasses, seminars and community events - this will be such a gourmet experience!
The IGA Taste Great Southern will run for 18 days, and over three weekends and two weeks, and will be on just before Easter. You could easily stay a week or two to see all these amazing attractions!
There will even be celebrity chef Marco Pierre White, the British chef best-known to Australian viewers as a judge on Australian Masterchef and on Hell's Kitchen.
MORE INFORMATION
You can find out more about this event here.
3. ALBANY WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL
At this festival, there will be wine, local food, craft beers, spirits, produce and local crafts, and more.
There will also be live music as well as guest chefs who will share their culinary inventions from local produce at the cooking demonstrations. You can taste food and learn from the wine seminar sessions, or just join in the day out with friends and family where you can enjoy some of the region's best wine producers and local food stalls, services and attractions.
Special guest here will be Marco Pierre White, who will be giving a cooking demonstration on stage with three of the area's local chefs as they make a three-course meal for visitors to enjoy.
Entry to this festival includes a souvenir tasting glass, complimentary wine tastings, free access to cooking demonstrations, and wine seminars along with live music. Wine and food is able to be purchased at the event.
