Saturday 10 December 2011

Tastes of Rutherglen Festival - March 2012

TASTES OF RUTHERGLEN FESTIVAL

March 9-11 & March 17-18, 2012

Discover the passion of North East Victoria's local producers and meet the winemakers behind Rutherglen's world-class wines when the region hosts the ultimate party for gourmands  - Tastes of Rutherglen - March 9-11 & March 17-18, 2012.

21 wineries celebrate vintage under sunny autumn skies and guests can indulge in perfectly matched food and wine combinations. New this year alongside exciting "culinary experiences" are some interactive "culinary activities" at each cellar door.

Music, food, wine and authentic, rustic fun seamlessly blend at what has become one of regional Victoria's best Festivals spanning two weekends.

The Festival begins on Friday, March 9 with Tastes on Main - a regional showcase dinner at the Rutherglen Wine Experience on Main Street, hosted by The Winemakers of Rutherglen. Special guest at this year's dinner is Jared Ingersoll, chef of Sydney's Danks Street Depot, where he sources the best Australian produce and supports artisan producers.

Then the journey begins over the two weekends as each winery offers its own "culinary experience"! Some of North East Victoria's favourite chefs join with talented winemakers to present unique and fabulous "culinary experiences" at each winery.

Festival-goers can indulge in a fabulous dish matched to a sublime wine, or something more interactive such as a behind the scenes tour with a winemaker to see what really goes on during vintage!  The choices are endless at this action-packed food and wine festival. 

Transport is easy over the two weekends thanks to the TAC Winery Shuttle Bus which circles between all 21 wineries, and festival-goers can hop on and off as they like in this safe and hassle-free way to tour the wineries.  Pick-up and drop-off also available in Rutherglen, Wagunyah & Corowa, Albury Wodonga, Howlong, Mulwala, Bundalong, Chiltern, Wangaratta and Yarrawonga.  A Designated Driver Reward Campaign, also sponsored by TAC operates all weekend with information available at participating wineries. 

All-inclusive passes make it easy!

Great value "all inclusive" tickets are available for pre-purchase or on the weekends and are also designed to make festival navigating simple and easy. Guests simply purchase a ticket online or from participating wineries or tourist information centres and let the indulgence begin! 

Ticket Packages start from just $50 and include an official Tastes of Rutherglen glass for tastings at all 21 wineries plus two tickets for a culinary "experience" or "activity" at the winery of choice, Additional culinary tickets are $20 each and individual glasses $12.

Over both weekends, a range of events will take place at wineries including themed wine dinners, produce markets, dinners under the stars, live bands and much more!  There is fun for the whole family, with plenty of wineries offering children's entertainment. 

Here are just a few of the Tastes of Rutherglen highlights:

Some of the "culinary experiences" available at all wineries include:

Stanton & Killeen Wines & Green Shed, Beechworth – Lemon paprika Rivalea pork medallions on a cozido of white bean, roast tomatoes, pork sausage and garlic infused olive oil topped with crackling and a parsley and coriander salad, matched to the Stanton & Killeen 2009 Prince Reserva.

Campbell's Winery & King River Café, Milawa– Barbeque pork, prawn and coriander omelette roulade on a vibrant Vietnamese noodle slaw with a mint, lemongrass and ginger dressing - matched with Campbell's 2011 RieslingM

Scion Winery – After dark by After Noon – French chocolate hazelnut torte, hand-made leaf of nougatine dark chocolate, Gundowing hazelnut & frangelico ice cream with a touch of raspberry – matched with a chilled French-style Scion 2007 semi-sweet Durif. 

Some of the "culinary activities" on offer include:

St Leonards Vineyard - Baile Salsa! : always wanted to travel to Spain and get some salsa dance lessons but no time to do so? Those visiting St Leonards during Tastes of Rutherglen can indulge in a salsa dance class they won't forget! 

Chambers Rosewood – Learn to brew the perfect cup of coffee at home at an entertaining workshop at Chambers Rosewood cellar door!  Plenty of tips and a sample bag and mug to take home. ichael's ate$650 worth of wine to be won!

Cellar Door Entertainment includes:

Buller's Winery – Enjoy special performer Renee Geyer on Saturday 10 March! Australia's Queen of Soul in concert at Buller's with bar selling wine, champagne cocktails + strawberries & cream!

Cofield Wines – live music, regional produce stalls, and entertainment for children and great dishes from The Pickled Sisters Café! 

All Saints Estate - A Day on the Green – Saturday March 17 – Noiseworks, Ian Moss, Ross Wilson, Daryl Braithwaite & more performing in a five hour music feast! A celebration of the Oz rock history they defined, enjoyed with All Saints Estate wines, or course!

Some Special Dinner Highlights:

Taste Rutherglen on the Main – A long table dinner on Friday, March 9 at 6:30pm along Rutherglen's Main Street will showcase Rutherglen's own unique hero dishes and wines. The dinner, hosted by chef, cookbook author and champion of regional produce Jared Ingersoll along with the Winemakers of Rutherglen, will feature local restaurants preparing hero dishes from local produce.  Tickets $120

All Saints Estate Twilights Dinner in the Vines – A popular event on Sunday, March 11 at 7pm to celebrate Rutherglen's food heroes in a regional  with  matched wines by All Saints Estate. Enjoy a night of dining under the stars. 

Jones Winery & Vineyard Dinners – Celebrate harvest with Mandy Jones at her Vintage Banquet Gourmet three course dinners prepared by their chef Kate Akrap. Saturday 10 & Saturday 17 March – 7pm 

For more information, a copy of the Tastes of Rutherglen program, or to purchase tickets call 1300 787 929 or visit www.winemakers.com.au. Tickets can be purchased online  

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