East End Wine Down – March 19

Following a sell-out response to last year’s event, East End Cellars is once again hosting a laneway food and wine festival to celebrate South Australian wine and the end of Fringe. East End Wine Down will transform Vardon Avenue into a “cellar door” showcase of some of South Australia’s boutique wine producers, with festival-goers able to taste more than 100 local wines as well as enjoy delicious street-style food from local restaurants Golden Boy, Nola, Mother Vine and Africola. The event runs from 12pm to 6pm and tickets are $35. Bookings and information available here.

La Cantina Autumn Masterclass – March 19

Join La Cantina as it showcases whites and reds from across Italy, including Malvasia, Cortese, Verdicchio, Falanghina, Aglianico, Fiorentini, Nebbiolo D’Alba and Valpolicella Classico, alongside Testun al Barolo aged sheep and goat milk cheese covered in Barolo grapes, Borgo Salami al Prosciutto & Pistachio and mixed Mediterranean olives. Two sessions will be held at 1pm and 3pm and tickets are $15 per person. More information is available here.

Waywood ’14 Monastrell Launch and Paella Day – March 20

Celebrate the launch of Waywood Wines’  2014 Monastrell at a paella party from 12pm to 5pm at the McLaren Vale winery and cellar door. Limited places available at $20 per person. Bookings and more information here.

A Sicilian Wine Dinner – March 22

Join Mercato Italian wine expert Christian Canala and Publishers Hotel sommelier Clinton Lucas when they host a three-course dinner paired with selected wines from the Mt Etna region of Italy. Enjoy executive chef Daniel Brooks’ menu featuring kingfish carpaccio, local calamari, herring with pancetta, zuppa di pesce, and fennel and pork sausage. Numbers are strictly limited and bookings essential. Cost is $125 per person. Bookings can be made by calling The Publishers Hotel on 8212 7969.

Jamie’s Ministry of Food school holiday programs – April 19-29

Jamie’s Ministry of Food, a community-based cooking program based on Jamie Oliver’s beliefs about the benefits of cooking fresh food from scratch, is hosting cooking classes for children and adults at its Noarlunga pop-up kitchen. Running in two blocks from April 19 to 22 and April 26 to 29, the program aims to teach basic home cooking skills, kitchen safety and nutrition, while passing on Oliver’s hints, tips and cooking shortcuts. Jamie’s Ministry of Food school holiday programs are comprised of four 3.5-hour sessions over four days, with up to 12 participants in each class. Course costs are $80 for students 12 to 16 years old, $120 for students 16+ and $160 for adults. Bookings are open now and can be made here.

Jamie Oliver. Photo: Nat Rogers/InDaily

Kaesler Wines 2015 Vintage Barrel Tasting and Lunch – April 23

Join Kaesler winemaker Reid Bosward in the Barossa Valley for this pre-release masterclass and barrel tasting of 2015 vintage wines followed by a long-table lunch from the winery’s restaurant Kaesler Kitchen. Sample wines include Shiraz from the Old Bastard and Alte Reben vineyards, and from barrels which will eventually form The Bogan and Old Vine Shiraz, as well as other premium wines. Tickets are $70 per person. More information available here.

Kaesler winemaker Reid Bosward. Photo: supplied

Barrel Tasting in the Vale – Tasting Australia – May 3

Visit McLaren Vale wineries and experience exclusive barrel tastings with the winemakers while learning about winemaking process. This behind-the-scenes tour includes lunch at Penny’s Hill Winery and luxury limousine travel from winery to winery with Wine Diva Tours. Barrel Tasting in the Vale costs $245 per person and is part of the Tasting Australia Festival, which runs from May 1 to May 8. Other highlights of the 2016 Tasting Australia program include foraging for wild mushrooms; the Lime Cave Degustation at Maxwell Wines; a distillation masterclass; sausage-making and cheese-making classes; the secret Origins Dinner; the “Lunch in the Company of…” series and the “A Few of My Favourite Things” series, where food and wine identities share their enthusiasm with participants; the Ultimate Cheese Experience at Say Cheese Wholesale; and the Single Sites wine tasting at the National Wine Centre.

Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend – May 13 to 16

The annual Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend offers a variety of events highlighting the region’s food, wine and hospitality. As well as cluster events such as the Gourmet Hub and Clare Valley Cuisine’s Gourmet Market Day, there are ticketed culinary events and day-trip options, weekend packages and more. And it is rumoured that some of the Clare Valley winemakers will come to Adelaide’s Leigh Street on April 8 for a pop-up city launch event to showcase some of the wines that will be on offer at the Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend. Watch the Clare Valley Wine Facebook page for details.

Shades of autumn during Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend. Photo: supplied

Waywood Wines Long Table Lunch Series #4 – May 28

Celebrate Aussie Wine Month with Waywood Wines at its McLaren Vale cellar door in May and enjoy a four-course banquet prepared by caterers Luscious Red, matched with a selection of Waywood’s favourite McLaren Vale Cabernets. Limited tickets are available at $120 per person. Bookings and more information here.

Losing the plot – until June 26, 2015

Losing the Plot: food gardening in South Australia explores the history of growing food in South Australia. It examines the stories behind the food on our plates from Aboriginal food production and school and community gardens to the home garden and market gardens in SA, and is accompanied by a program of workshops and talks focussing on food gardening and the use of garden produce in preserving and cooking.

News, tips and information?

The Forager would love to hear about your news, events and suggestions. Please contact us at [email protected].