Seriously Shiraz Kicks Off in the Grampians This Friday
Seriously Shiraz, a celebration of the Grampians Wine Region will hit the Grampians this weekend. Launching in Halls Gap on Friday, 28 October, the festival offers wine lovers over 20 events to choose from, commencing 28 October until 1 November. The World Loves Melbourne is looking forward to covering one of the events.
Festivities will kick off at Friday’s launch from 11am – 2pm when the Halls Gap Visitor Information Centre will be transformed with a pop up including local award winning wineries, Best’s Great Western, Montara, Mount Langi Ghiran and more, giving people a taste of the weekend to come and the opportunity to purchase tickets.
Leigh Clarnette, Montara Wines’ chief winemaker is excited to be part of the festival. “We are delighted to be involved in Seriously Shiraz and have thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with other wineries and operators in the region to bring the festival together.
“There are some fantastic events for people to enjoy at locations across the region. On Friday at Montara, we will have live performances by 80’s rock legends, Wendy Stapleton and Paul Norton along with a spit roast, not to mention the beautiful wine,” Mr Clarnette said.
Hamish Thomson from Best’s Great Western says he is looking forward to meeting visitors and locals attending the festival.
“As part of Seriously Shiraz, Best’s will be holding back vintage tastings and blending masterclasses hosted by our winemakers on Sunday and Monday.
“We’ve had a great response so far and people seem to be really excited about the festival which is terrific. I am looking forward to the weekend and encourage everyone to attend one or more of the events,” Mr Thomson said.
Best’s Great Western is celebrating 150 years in 2016 and was recently awarded winner of the coveted 2017 James Halliday, Wine of the Year.
Other wineries and restaurants involved Seriously Shiraz festivities include Grampians Estate; Mount Langi Ghiran; Mountainside Wines; Barangaroo Boutique Wines; Norton Estate Wines; Halls Gap Estate; and Steel Cutters Cottage.
Along with masterclasses and tastings, there will be live music performances, a degustation, an open-air movie night in the vines and more.
Seriously Shiraz offers something for people of all ages, from the younger crowd looking to learn more about wine to the more experienced wine tasters.
To find an event and for more about the Grampians visit www.visitgrampians.com.au/
About the region:
The Grampians wine region is one of Australia’s most historical and acclaimed wine regions with wineries based around Great Western, Ararat, Buangor, Lower Norton and Halls Gap.
Waiting to be explored are dozens of historic and boutique wineries across the famous wine-making region, which has a long and rich history for producing dense, purple and peppery Shiraz.
The first vines were planted in 1862 on the Concongella Creek, followed closely by plantings in Great Western. By the 1880s the region was famous for its sparkling wines, but it was soon realised that the cool climate viticulture, influenced by the Grampians mountain range, could also produce wines of intense varietal definition.
Today, some of Australia’s most distinguished wine producers are active in the Grampians, experimenting with techniques and pushing boundaries.
All Grampians wines are renowned for their ageability. Shiraz is the region’s signature variety, typically displaying dense purple colour with attractive pepper spice and plum characters on the nose and palate.
The region also produces crisp, delicious Riesling and flavoursome Chardonnay, alongside its famous sparkling wines produced in the traditional French styles. Pinot Gris, Cabernet, and Pinot Noir are also in abundance and showcase the region’s diversity of wine style.