Festival highlights and special events

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Grampians Winemakers Barrique Auction
Saturday 3 May at 2pm — On the Village Oval

This is a truly unique opportunity to bid for the ownership of 300 bottles of 2006 Grampians Winemakers Barrique Shiraz.

Each year, Grampians wineries donate a quantity of their own Shiraz fruit from the previous year’s vintage and are skillfully blended by one of the region’s wine makers. This year Simon Clayfield of Clayfield Wines Moyston, returns to put his personal style to what will be another fabulous release.

Wine enthusiasts will have the opportunity to bid for ownership and can choose to make purchases in five dozen lots. Don’t miss the excitement!

Royal Mail VIP Marquee — All weekend on Village Oval

The Royal Mail Hotel will be offering a selection of canapés, giving a sneak preview of what you can expect to experience with a tasting menu at the Royal Mail’s fine dining restaurant. This will be an example of Executive Chef - Dan Hunter’s food in miniature with wine matched to each dish by Royal Mail Sommelier, Lok Thornton.

The Royal Mail will be operating from the Royal Mail VIP Marquee and we will be selling limited packages to access this area. For more information and bookings please contact Festival Coordinator Mike DiLisio on 0417 559 370.

The RAAF Balloon — All weekend on Village Oval

Operated by the RAAF’s No. 28 Squadron you can enjoy the wonders and thrill of hot air ballooning on a low-level tethered flights throughout the weekend.

Kids entertainment

On the Halls Gap Village Oval all weekend with Pockets the Clown and Thomas the Tank Engine trackless train.

Live music — Saturday and Sunday

Smooth sounds of the ‘Jazz Traders’.

Night tour of the Seppelt Underground Cellars — at Seppelt Winery, Great Western | 7pm, Friday 2 May, 2008

Unearth hidden treasures as we take you on an eerie and enthralling journey through the 2.5 kilometre underground cellars.

The tour begins with gourmet cheese platters and a glass of Seppelt premium wine, before we venture through the darkness of the underground cellars, lighting your way with lanterns. A truly unique experience...

Time — 7pm at Seppelt Cellar Door. Admission — $25 Adults, Children over five years $10. Bookings essential. For further information contact Seppelt Cellar Door on 03 5361 2239 between 9am-5pm.

‘Scarecrows in the Vineyard’ Display, Competition and Picnic — at Garden Gully, Grampians Wine and Produce
Western Highway, Great Western

View the Scarecrows between 13 April — 4 May, (open daily 11am to 4pm) and vote for your favourite Scarecrow. Gold coin donation to local charities to experience the sense the humour, spirit and skill that competition entrants put into this time-honoured  tradition — Scarecrow art at its best!

Festivities culminate at  the ‘Scarecrows’ Picnic’ on Sunday 4 May, from 11.30am to 4pm. Picnic fare and fine wines available for purchase, no BYO alcohol, entry gold coin donation, no bookings required, scarecrow judging at 2pm.

Guest Judge Fiona Parker Breakfast Presenter at 594 ABC Western Victoria.

Location — Garden Gully Cellar Door, 1477 Western Highway, Great Western. For more information phone 03 5356 2400, or visit www.gardengully.com.au

Slow Sunday Lunch with Best’s and Kimbarra Wines
Sunday, 4 May 11.30am to 4.30pm

Enjoy an indulgent day out in the Grampians wine region!

Brimming with exciting fresh cuisine crafted by a talented Melbourne chef and inspired by the slow food movement, the lunch features the finest estate-grown wines from both Best’s and Kimbarra, personally selected by our winemakers to compliment this delectable fare.

This feast for the senses will be heightened by the raw sounds of an acoustic guitar strummed by a local musician...

Location — Best’s Wines, 111 Best’s Road, Great Western. Cost – $90 per head (TBC). For bookings (by 18/04/08 ) and enquiries contact Yvette Brady on 03 5356 2250 or email yvette@bestswines.com

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