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The
Grampians Grape Escape
"If music be the food
of love, play on"
although
William Shakespeare penned these words over 400 years ago,
he they seem to have become a catch phrase for nearly every
regional festival these days, with food and music being the
central theme. in fact After 18 years the Grampians Grape
Escape continues to attract visitors. The Festival has a high-standing
reputation and showcases the food and wine that is made right
here in Western Victoria."Set a date for a mid-year break
in Western Victoria and stock up on award-winning wine and
fresh produce at the 18th annual Grampians Grape Escape -
The Wine and Food Festival to be held in Halls Gap from May
2-3.
Around
6,000 visitors are expected to drink and graze their way around
the makeshift food and wine village at the Halls Gap Recreation
Reserve, in the centre of Halls Gap.
Exhibitors will include 90 of Western Victoria's best winemakers
and food producers of olives and olive oil, lavender products,
lentils, fruit and berries, yabbies, gourmet sausages, organic
produce, venison, turkey, ice-cream, honey, teas, preserves,
herbs and gluten-free food.
Event organiser, Mike DiLisio said a predicted increase in
domestic travel this year made the Grampians Grape Escape
the ideal destination for Victorian and interstate singles,
groups and families looking for a weekend away.
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TV
Chef Ed
Halmagyi will return by demand to the 2009 Festival to show-off
his swift culinary skills. Visitors will be treated to two,
daily cooking demonstrations by Ed, where he will demonstrate
how to whip up a delicious meal with minimum fuss.
He
will also work in collaboration with the region's leading
chefs to present a delicious menu of fresh regional produce,
complemented by Grampians wines, at the popular Festival Dinner
on the Saturday night.
"Where
else could you enjoy a delicious fresh yabbie burger, washed
down with a glass of Victoria's finest Shiraz, whilst taking
in one of the world's most magnificent mountain ranges?"
said Mr DiLisio.
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Another
feature of the weekend is the Grampians Winemakers Wine Auction
where wine enthusiasts and collectors will bid for a 225 litre
barrel of Shiraz.
Each
year, Grampians wineries donate a quantity of their own Shiraz
fruit from the previous years vintage and are skillfully
blended by one of the regions wine makers. This year
Simon Clayfield of Clayfield Wines Moyston, returns to put
his personal style to what will be another fabulous release.
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Wine
enthusiasts will have the opportunity to bid for ownership
and can choose to make purchases in five dozen lots. The record
price to date is $15,800.
Other
attractions over the two-day event include live music and
performance, children's entertainment, the Fosters Clydesdale
horses and rides on the RAAF Balloon.
The
Grampians Grape Escape will be open from 11am to 4.30pm each
day. General admission is $5 or you can purchase a Wine Lovers
Package at the gate for $25, which includes wine tasting passes,
wine glass, water and entry to the event.
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The
Grampians at a glance
Population - less than 500
Location - 250km West of Melbourne
Description -Inland region of the Western district of
Victoria with tourism the predominant industry. The regions
other industries include wine production plus sheep and wheat
farming
The
Essence of the Grampians
The quintessential Australian postcard - Australian wildlife
- native flora and fauna - spectacular scenery - Indigenous
Culture - Aboriginal Art - Gold and Wine - Bushwalking.
Quiet and relaxation
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The
Grampians is Australia's equivalent to the Lakes District
in England and despite a vast difference in flora and fauna,
both regions encapsulate the idealisic views of the region.
The Grampians ( like the Lakes district) is also a popular
bush walking destination and also offers a diverse range of
Australian native flora and fauna Halls
Gap is the main tourist hub in the heart of the Grampians.
The picturesque town is set in the Fyans Valley at the foot
of the of Wonderland and Mount William ranges and is the perfect
place from which to explore the Grampians National Park, one
of Victoria's most outstanding natural features.
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HISTORY
In 1837,
Major Thomas Mitchell left Sydney to explore the Murray -
Darling river system, by June he had crossed the Murray near
Swan Hill and proceeded south west and first climbed and named
Mt William in the Grampians Ranges. Four years later in 1841
Charles Browning Hall became the first European to locate
a gap through the mountain ranges and discover the spectacular
valley that now bears his name. The Grampians lie immediately
west of Ararat and stretch some 90km from Dunkeld in the south,
almost to Horsham in the north. The Grampians are made up
of four different mountain ranges: the Mt Difficult Range
in the north, the Mt William Range in the east, the Serra
Range in the southeast and the Victoria Range in the southwest.
Halls Gap is the only town in the Grampians and lies in a
valley between the northern tip of the Mt William Range and
the southern tip of the Mt Difficult Range.
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WINE & GOLD
The discovery
of Gold near Stawell and St Arnaud in the late 1850s heralded
the start of gold rush to the region and the Mount William
Goldmine at Mafeking operating until 1912. Wine production
in the Grampians dates back to the 1850 when gold attracted
large numbers to the Stawell and Ararat region, French couple,
Anne Marie Blampied and Jean Pierre Trouette arrived in the
late 1850's to seek their fortune and established St Peters
vineyard, a few years later Joseph Best established the now
famous Great Western Estate. The gold petered out but the
vineyards remained and the reputation of the Grampians climate
and soil attracted others to the region. Today there are diverse
number of wineries in the region ranging from small boutique
operations to larger multimillion dollars operators such as
Seppelts. The main varieties grown in the region are Chardonnay,
Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. The scenic location
and numerous small wineries with their associated cellar door
sales make the Grampians a very popular destination for wine
travelers
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