Barossa bites, pop-up wine and a paddock-to-plate lunch

Food and wine happenings in South Australia, including Barossa Vintage Festival events, a paddock-to-plate lunch at B.-d. Farm Paris Creek, a pop-up showcase of Clare Valley wines in the city, and a long-table wine experience.

Apr 19, 2017, updated Apr 19, 2017

Yalumba is hosting a Festival Garden today to kick off the Barossa Vintage Festival. Photo: Nathaniel Mason

Barossa Vintage Festival – April 19 to 23

The Barossa Valley’s annual food, wine and entertainment showcase features more than 90 events over five days, beginning today. They include a Butcher, Baker, Winemaker Trail, an Our Table lunch and cooking demonstration at Jacob’s Creek, the Barossa Farmers’ Market Harvest Breakfast, a Long-Table Lunch featuring Restaurant Blackwood and presented by Whistler Wines, a black-tie cocktail dinner in a 1940s setting at Lindsay Wine Estate, a Beer vs Wine Degustation at Barossa Valley Brewing, a Let the Fun be Gin boutique crafting experience, and Nuriootpa’s Long Table Lunch. See the full list of festival events here.

B.-d. Farm Paddock to Plate lunch – April 22

Biodynamic-organic dairy manufacturer B.-d. Farm Paris Creek will host a paddock-to-plate lunch on Saturday, followed by a tour of the factory plus a talk and Q&A session with Helmy Abouleish, son of the founder of Egyptian sustainable development initiative Sekem. Tickets for the event at 362 Paris Creek Road, Meadows,  are $60pp. Bookings here.

Taste Glynde & Co – April 30

Showcasing the food producers of Glynde, as well as the neighbouring precincts of Norwood and Stepney, Taste Glynde & Co will offer the chance to sample award-winning produce, watch free cooking demonstrations where local chefs will share their secrets and favourite recipes, and taste wine and craft beer from Tidswell Wines, Salena Estate and Little Bang Brewing Company. There will also be kids’ cooking classes and live music. Running from 10am until 4pm, the event is at Robern Menz, 71 Glynburn Road. Full program here.

Tasting Australia – April 30 – May 7

An “Australian Spirit Day” featuring free tastings, a cocktail-style Chef’s Supper Club, Meet Your Maker wine tastings and master-classes (including a six-decade tasting of Grange), degustation dinners and cooking demonstrations are part of the 2017 Tasting Australia program, which encompasses events in the city and regions. The festival will have a showpiece restaurant, The Glasshouse Kitchen, in Victoria Square. See the full Tasting Australia program here.

The Long Table Wine Experience – May 3

Hosted by the National Wine Centre, this dinner promises to take guests on a journey through the Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley and Barossa – all on one long table. Four courses crafted by chef de cuisine Steven Clark will be complemented by wines from Guthrie Wines, Hersey Wines, Clos Clare and Schwarz Wines. The dinner begins at 6.30pm on Wednesday, May 3, and tickets are $120 (bookings here).

Clare Valley on Leigh Street – May 5

In the lead-up to the Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend, this pop-up event in the city will feature new vintage varieties, flagship wines and iconic Rieslings from 22 of the region’s wineries, including Kilikanoon, Paulett, Penna Lane, Sevenhill Cellars, Tim Adams and Claymore. Clare Valley on Leigh Street will run from 4.30pm until 7.30pm on Friday, May 5.

Bottega Rotolo cheese classes

Bottega Rotolo is hosting a range of cheese classes throughout the coming months in which participants will taste and learn about different cheeses and drinks that can accompany them. Classes include French Cheese on May 3 ($50 per person), Blue Cheese and Dessert Wine on May 24 ($65 per person), Cheese and Whisky on June 7 ($75 per person) and White Mould Cheese on July 5 ($50 per person). All classes run from 6.30pm-8pm and are held at Bottega Rotolo’s King William Road store. Bookings here.

Fleurieu Olive Harvest Open Day – May 7

Olive lovers can learn how extra virgin olive oils are made, pick their own olives, go on guided walking tours of groves and join interactive cooking classes during the family-friendly Fleurieu Olive Harvest Open Day at Nangkita Olives at Tooperang from 10am until 4pm on Sunday, May 7. Entry is free, and for $30 you can enjoy a lunch with spit roast, wood-fired pizza, cheese, side dishes and Nangkita Ridge Wines.

Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend – May 19-22

Almost 40 wineries, three breweries and 30 restaurants will be participating in events during the Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend this May. The program includes tasting and blending sessions, master-classes, opportunities to meet the winemakers, picnics, gourmet breakfasts, long-table lunches, live music and more. See the full program for event details and shuttlebus services.

The Fruitful Pursuit [Autumn ’17] – May 27

The Fruitful Pursuit is bringing the best in forward-thinking Australia winemakers to The Henry Austin, including South Australian favourites Jauma, Sanglier and The Mysterious Mr Black. The event will also feature a heavy roster of interstate talent, officially launching The Fruitful Pursuit’s broader national focus. Tickets are $65 plus booking fee, and the event will run from noon until 4pm on Saturday, May 27.