Bookings are now open for Heathcote’s annual Food and Wine Festival.
New releases of Heathcote’s famous full-bodied shiraz will be front and centre when the acclaimed wine region hosts its annual wine and food festival in October.
More than 40 wineries will be assembled at the central Victorian town’s historic showgrounds for two days of sheer heaven for lovers of shiraz and other exciting specialty varieties.
The intensity of the new shiraz releases, many having only weeks earlier come to the critical attention of judges in the Heathcote Winegrowers’ Association show, will be match with opportunities for patrons to further develop their love and appreciation for the produce grown in the regions Cambrian soils in the north and Granitic soils of the south.
High-profile wine commentators and educators Nick Stock and Rob Hicks will present master classes and tasting seminars throughout the two-day festival.
Matching the flavours of great wines will be fresh produce from the rich lands of the region as stallholders create an arcade on the centre of the showground’s arena.
Makers of Heathcote’s famous shiraz wine are also busily preparing their entries for the 2014 Saint Martin Heathcote Wine Show at the end of the month.
The second annual show will see wineries from across Victoria and beyond put their Heathcote-grown shiraz and other varieties before an expert judging panel chaired by eminent Australia wine authority Brian Walsh. Judging commences on July 31 ahead of the awards dinner on August 2.
Mr Walsh, the former director of winemaking with Yalumba and the nation’s leading judge more than 30 years, was earlier this month appointed interim chairman of the new Australian Grape and Wine Authority.
With a panel of six other industry experts, he will help select the region’s top wines and name the 2014 winner of the show’s premier Heathcote Grand Terroir trophy.
A public tasting of wine show entries would be held between 4pm and 6pm before the dinner on 2 August.
2014 Heathcote Wine and Food Festival
4 and 5 October
www.heathcotegrowers.com.au
[email protected]
Bookings now open