Nestled in the foothills of historic mountain ranges, the Grampians Grape Escape is once again taking over the beloved regional Victorian town of Halls Gap with a weekend-long program of world-class wines, gourmet food and live music.
It kicks off on May 1 with 'feel-good Friday', a night celebrating local indie music talent with a line-up of all-homegrown bands like Malcura and The Settlement. Best of all, tickets are available from $40 a pop for this session.
From Saturday, the weekend program begins with more than 100 exhibitors, including wineries, food trucks, creators and makers. The festival village will flow with a heap of local winemakers from the Grampians and surrounding regions, incredible live Aussie music (think blues, indie folk and alt-rock, plus a bit of dancefloor magic), and cheese, olives and snacks from local producers.
There will also be cooking demonstrations and masterclasses by guest chefs. Excitingly, this year will be headlined by acclaimed Tasmanian chef Analiese Gregory (ex-Quay and Le Meurice), whose focus on produce and elemental technique have given her a highly respected name in the industry.
You can also get keen for the Coal Pit, an immersive coal and fire cooking experience that'll show off the way different chefs cook vegetables, whole cuts and seasonal produce using fire. Keep your eyes peeled for the work of local fire cooking specialist Tom Ballinger, of Coal Catering, plus other epic talent.
Other than food, wine is kind of the big thing at the Grampians Grape Escape (the key is in the name). This year, the humble drop is elevated with the appearance of well-regarded wine critic Shanteh Wale, as well as the classic Shiraz Barrique wine auction (with funds raised to be put back into the local community) and the always fun Grape Stomping Competiton.
If you're bringing the kiddos along, there will be plenty of activities to keep them going, including rock climbing, herb and flower planting, and more. And you'll be able to shop up a storm with stalls showcasing everything from candles and jewellery to art and condiments.
There are a variety of ticketing options available now (including single and multi-day passes), and you can find out more at the Grampians Grape Escape website.
Where is the festival? You can find the festival at Halls Gap Recreation Reserve, at the corner of Grampians and Mount Victory Roads in Halls Gap, Victoria.