Festival to celebrate Grampians Food and Wine

A month-long celebration from the 8th of April of Grampians food and wine events will culminate in the Grampians Grape Escape at Halls Gap from 3-4 May this year.

In recognition of the impact of recent bushfires in the Grampians, Tourism Minister Louise Asher has announced a Victorian Government grant of $50,000 to promote the month long festival to local, intrastate and interstate tourists.

The event was founded in 1991, and over time, it has grown from strength to strength, attracting more than 9,000 visitors last year.

Ms Asher said that the Victorian Government was keen to support events such as the Grampians Grape Escape to raise the profile of the region and its reputation as a premium food and wine destination and also to delivers an economic benefit.

Festival ambassador, well-known Melbourne comedian and actor, Rachel Berger, will host a range of cooking demonstrations, presentations and tastings over the festival weekend on 3-4 May.

More than a hundred exhibitors will provide the very best of the Western Victoria’s wine, food and produce and the program includes wine and beer tasting, gourmet food stalls, local musicians and artists and wine making and appreciation seminars.

The event offers the opportunity to meet the signature winemakers from over forty Grampians, Henty and Pyrenees wineries and to participate in a Grape Stomping competition. Sheilas of the 80s will headline the music program, and a range of activities for families and children.

The Grampians Grape Escape will be supported by a number of umbrella events held at locations throughout the Grampians region and neighbouring regions from 8 April – 2 May.

Food and wine experts will preside over other events including Easter in the Vines at Great Western, Best’s End of Harvest Luncheon at Great Western, Seriously Shiraz in Ballarat, Grampians Produce Dinner in Halls Gap and the Raising Dust Young Wine Lovers package.

Ms Asher said tourism is a major economic driver for regional Victoria and the Grampians relies on the economic benefits that tourism brings to the region.

“In 2011-12, tourism contributed $949 million to the local Grampians economy and generated employment for more than 8,000 people.

“The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that regional Victoria continues to share in the benefits of tourism growth across Victoria” Ms Asher said.

The 2014 Grampians Grape Escape is held from 3-4 May in Halls Gap, with lead-up events held across the region during 8 April – 2 May 2014.