The Clare Valley wine region has sooooo many events to celebrate the Clare Valley SCA Gourmet Week, there are 85 events and 10 days in the week!
Originally held in 1985 to celebrate the end of vintage and to pair the award-winning wines with regional food produce, Australia's first food and wine festival (can you believe it?) has something for everyone. Here's a small taste of what you can enjoy.
There'll be drinking in the streets with the CVBTA Gourmet Street Party in the shopping district, Horrocks Highway, Clare, where you can indulge in late-night shopping, try delicious meals, and be entertained with live music from emerging artists from 5.00-8.00pm, Friday 17 May.
Start with the opening night six-course Cellars without Doors Degustation Dinner at Watervale Hotel for small and hobby winemakers to present their wines on Friday 17 May, 6.00-10.00pm. Tickets cost $150.
Wines by KT cellar door will feature Museum Wine Flights in addition to current release wines and Riesling gin and tonics from 11.00am-5.00pm, Friday 17-Monday 20 May.
Explore The History Of Grenache at the oldest winery in the Clare Valley, Sevenhill Cellars, visiting the 100-year-old vineyard, touring their underground cellar and enjoying a tasting shared with a regional produce platter from 2.00pm-4.00pm, Friday 17 May and Friday 24 May. Tickets cost $125.
Yeehah! Grab your pardner and stomp into a good ol' fashioned Hoedown Over the Hill at Hill River Clare Estate with country and western tunes from Samp Dawkins fortified by Southern style American food, from 10.00am-5.00pm, Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May.
Enjoy a Festival Weekend At Mitchell Wines With El Estanco where you'll relax to the acoustic music of Joe Amputch while you pair South American-inspired dishes with glasses topped with Mitchell Wines, from 11.00am-5.00pm, Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May.
Try the Clare Gourmet Riesling and Oyster Bar at Knappstein Wines where you'll pair citrusy, crisp Rieslings with salty, rich freshly shucked Australian oysters from 11.00am-2.30pm, Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May.
Enjoy a Gourmet Garden Party at Pikes, tasting their wines and freshly brewed beer, to go with oysters and their Spanish tapas from 11.00am-5.00pm, Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May.
Gear up for the Gourmet Weekend Six-Course Degustation Experience at Pauletts Bush deVine Restaurant on the deck overlooking the gourmet festivities, live music and the beautiful view of Polish Hill River from 11.00am-5.00pm, Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May.
Go dancing at Jeanneret Wines & Clare Valley Brewing Co as live band The Uptown Seeds play on Saturday 18 May while the Crosstown Ramblers are on deck on Sunday 19 May, as well as food by Allure Fine Foods & Junnie's Tasty Thai from 12.00pm-9.00pm, Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May.
Reillys Long Lunch Indulgence Experience will run over 10 sittings over four days, giving you the opportunity to savour five courses curated by head chef Luke Smith, using local Clare Valley and seasonal South Australian produce, carefully paired with premium wine flights, from 12.00pm-4.00pm, Saturday 18, Sunday 19, Saturday 25, Sunday 26 May. Only 26 guests per lunch. Tickets cost $125.
Explore Kilikanoon Shiraz as you savour current and back vintages of the most recognised Shiraz labels, including the Oracle and Attunga 1865 Shiraz, afterwards enjoying a complimentary glass of the Covenant Shiraz and a platter at your leisure, from 11.00am-12.30pm, Monday 20 May. Tickets cost $95.
Fancy your winemaking skills? Blend Your Own Wine Experience at Taylors Wines where you'll decode flavours, demystify wine blending, explore the senses used to taste wine and craft your own wine blend from three varieties under expert guidance, taking home your own 750ml bottle as a treasured memento, from 11.00am-1.00pm, Tuesday 21, Thursday 23 and Friday 24 May. Tickets $95 members, $105 non-members.
The 2024 Clare Valley Wine Hall of Fame Gala Dinner at O'Leary Walker Wines recognises exceptional achievement and innovation in the growing of grapes, production of wine, brand marketing or as an ambassador for the region over a significant period of time, honouring those making a significant influence and contribution of Clare Valley wine, emceed by Katie Spain with a four-course dinner, Clare Valley wines and entertainment, from 6.00pm-11.30pm, Friday 24 May. Tickets cost $245.
The annual Jim Barry Armagh Hut Lunch teams again with world-renowned chef, Jake Kellie, to provide an exclusive feast to remember, of the freshest fare, cooked in Jake's signature style over fire, thoughtfully matched with premium wines and special vintages from the Jim Barry family cellar, from 12.00pm-4.00pm, Saturday 25 May. Tickets cost $700. Only 20 tickets available.
One of the hottest events has to be the Burning of the Barrels at Eldredge Vineyards, where food will be provided by Low and Slow Game & BBQ by Big Bad Wolf Catering, live music by local legends Paul & Andy with the main bonfire lit at sundown at 6pm, from 3.00pm-10.00pm, Saturday 25 May. Bookings essential.
Settle in for A Skilly Long Lunch at Skillogalee Estate, which is hosting an Italian-style feast with hand-crafted Skillogalee wines from their dry-grown vines, alongside selections from Wines by KT, from 11.30am-4.30pm, Sunday 26 May. Tickets cost $149.