The Wine Lovers Guide to Taste Great Southern 2016
I have a very important mission for all the TC readers who live in WA – please please please can you head down to the Great Southern this month. The reason I ask is that I can’t make it down there and for my own sanity I need to know that you guys are soaking up the deliciousness that is the IGA Taste Great Southern 2016. There are so many awesome events (nearly 50 different food & wine events to be exact over the 18 days) happening down south (as well as a few in Perth – YAY) so I’ve put together the ultimate list to indulge your wine-loving senses…
Last week I was lucky enough to attend the launch for the IGA Taste Great Southern 2016 at The Trustee in the city and it was an awesome sneak peek of what’s to come. We tried some über tasty wines (the 3 Drops Shiraz was a particular favourite of mine) and some mouth-watering Great Southern produce. The polenta and chilli jam bites absolutely stole my heart! Plus we found out that Irish heart-throb celeb chef Colin Fassnidge is involved alongside Anna Gare, Don Hancey, Russell Blaikie, Jerry Fraser, Dan Wegener, Max Veenhuyzen and more!
The official program for the event is drool-worthy and I’m absolutely jealous of anyone who is lucky enough to attend one of the events. Obviously the wino events spark my interest and I’m sure yours too, so here is a list of what all the wine-lovers have got to look forward to during Taste Great Southern 2016:
Taste Great Southern Events in Perth:
LIBERTÉ AT MUST Hosted by Max Veenhuyzen
Amy Hamilton of Liberté in Albany is teaming up with her old head chef Russell Blaikie in Must Winebar to create a 4 course shared table feast with matched Great Southern wines.
Date & time: 22 March 19:00
Address: 519 Beaufort Street, Highgate 6003
Price: $135 per person.
Great Southern Wine Producers Trade Tasting
Invitation only event with visiting Master of Wine, Tan Ying Hsien from Singapore.
Date & time: 31 March 11:00-13:30
Address: Print Hall, St Georges Tce, Perth
Playing with Fire – 3 Drops & Manuka, a celebration of Great Southern Produce
Join Joanne Bradbury from 3 Drops Wines at Manuka Woodfire Kitchen in Freo to taste current vintages and fresh local produce cooked in the wood fired oven at Manuka.
Date & time: 1 April 19:00-22:00
Address: Manuka Woodfire Kitchen, 134 High St, Fremantle
Price: $115 per person
Great Southern Events:
Graze Mount Barker
Graze your way around the wineries of Galafrey, Gilberts, West Cape Howe, Arcadia and Plantagenet enjoying a bite to eat and glass of wine.
Date & time: 5 – 7 March 10:00-17:00
Price: $18 per winery
Porongurup Wine Festival
10 local wineries will be presenting their tasty tipples and you’ll have the chance to enjoy guided wine and cheese tastings with Sommelier Dan Wegener. Plus enter The Great Grape Stomp competition too!
Date & time: 6 March 10:00-17:00
Address: Karrivale, 153 Woodlands Rd, Porongurup
Price: $20 per person
3 Drops + 3 Beasts
A long table wine dinner for the meat lovers out there. Wines matched with 3 different beasts; Village Green Beef, Hawthornden Lamb and Plantagenet Pork.
Date & time: 17 March 18:30-22:30
Address: Hybla Bar & Grill, 11 Flinders Pde, Middleton Beach
Price: $95 per person
Riesling Masterclass and Long Table Four Course Dinner
Learn more about wine and Riesling as you enjoy Estate 807 Rieslings matched with the perfect food pairings.
Date & time: 19 March 18:00-22:00
Address: Ajar Restaurant @ Estate 807, 807 Scotsdale Road, Denmark
Price: $120 per person
Frankland River Pop Up Cellar Door
Pop up cellar door showcasing Frankland River Wine Region wineries.
Date & time: 23 March 17:00-19:00
Address: Upstairs Dylan’s Cafe, 82 Stirling Tce, Albany
Price: Free!
Frankland River Riesling and Shiraz
One on one with winemakers and chef Paul Iskov as you taste the regions Rieslings and Shiraz matched with local food.
Date & time: 23 March 19:00-20:30
Address: Upstairs Dylan’s Cafe, 82 Stirling Tce, Albany
Price: $55 per person
The King of Oysters and Rising Star Riesling
Celebrate the grand opening of Denmark’s newest ‘brand spanking old’ cellar door with oysters by king shucker Jerry Fraser and bubbles.
Date & time: 26 & 27 March 17:00-19:00
Address: Rising Star Wines, 46 Redman Road, Denmark
Price: $50 per person
Galafrey Meet the Winemaker Masterclass
Join winemaker Kim Tyrer for an afternoon on the verandah learning about wine and sipping on a range of wines with cheese and antipasto platters.
Date & time: 27 March 13:00-14:30
Address: Galafrey Wines, 432 Quangellup Road, Mt Barker (off Muir Hwy)
Price: $15 per person
Zarephath Wine & Food Pairings
Dan Wegener will join you tasting the full range of Zarephath wines as you enjoy matched degustation dishes overlooking the vines.
Date & time: 2 April, 12:30-16:00
Address: Zarephath Wines, 424 Moorialup Road, Porongurup
Price: $90 per person
Pinot Noir Masterclass and Long Table Four Course Dinner
An interactive, educational evening with Estate 807 Pinot Noir’s followed by a four course meal by chef Joss Morris.
Date & time: 2 April 18:00-22:00
Address: Ajar Restaurant @ Estate 807, 807 Scotsdale Road, Denmark
Price: $120 per person
Wignalls Long Table Lunch Celebrartion
A celebration of the best Great Southern produce at Albany’s Wignalls Winery.
Date & time: 3 April, 12:00-17:00
Address: Wignalls Winery, 448 Chester Road, Albany
Price: $125 per person
Now that should keep you guys pretty busy! I’d love to hear about any of the events if you do attend. Please make sure to tag me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram if you post anything!
For more details on any of the above events or to find out about all the other events, visit the Taste Great Southern website.