The month-long festival will showcase the best of the Grampians, with a number of culinary events being held across the region culminating in the annual Grampians Grape Escape weekend on May 5 and 6. 

This year, the Grampians Grape Escape will be teaming up with chef and host of the popular TV series River Cottage Australia, Paul West, and one of MasterChef’s most loved contestants of Channel 10’s TV hit, The Cooks Pantry, Matt Sinclair for masterclasses and cooking demonstrations using the finest local, and seasonal produce.

“I’ve heard so much about the Grampians, I can’t wait to get there and experiment with its renowned fresh produce and great wines.” Mr West said.

Sinclair says: “The Grampians Grape Escape is one of the best regional food and wine festivals in the country and I’m really looking forward to spending time there cooking for festival goers.”

The festival will star some of Australia’s most distinguished winemakers from the Grampians, Pyrenees and Henty regions such as Montara Wines, Best’s Greater Western, Barangaroo Boutique Wine and more. Meet the winemakers and learn from the producers who experimented with techniques, and pushed boundaries, to bring award winning wines and newly discovered products for festival goers to enjoy. 

Headline acts, The Settlement and local band Orange Whip will provide entertainment alongside Coby Grant, Nicholas Charles, Stringybark McDowell and Mollycoddle, The Wanderers, Madhouse the Band, Mitch King, Alice Skye and the band, The Kite Machine and Grim Fawkner. 

Guests can feast their way through local culinary creations from regional producers or take a pick from the range of food trucks serving up Spanish paella, gozleme, crepes, freshly churned ice cream and more.

The highly anticipated annual Grampians Winemakers Reserve Shiraz Barrique will be returning to give bidders the chance to take home a rare ‘taste of the Grampians’ once the weekend is over.  

Children’s entertainment includes native animals, boomerang painting, potting herb workshops and pasta making.

Adult ticket prices range from $30 to $110. Each ticket provides access to the festival village with plenty to eat, drink and do including live music, kid’s activities, cooking demonstrations and masterclasses. Children up to the age of five are free with kids under the age of 18 $15 for the weekend.

For more information visit http://grampiansgrapeescape.com.au/