TWO of the Yarra Valley’s top winemakers took a minute out of their busy harvest season for lunch at Oscar’s on the Yarra, giving a behind-the-scenes look at this year’s Yarra Valley Food and Wine Festival.
Dan Buckle from Domaine Chandon and Kate Goodman from Punt Road Wines told guests that the constant stream of hot weather has meant the grapes have ripened quickly this season.
“But the quality is there and the Chardonnays are spectacular,” Mr Buckle said.
He expects to have all his picking wrapped up over the next 10 days.
“The quantities are down because the flowering at Christmas time was windy but those wines tend to be nicely concentrated,” he said.
“The quality will be very good for 2013, similar to 2010 although the season was more like 2008.”
Ms Goodman agreed, saying their crops were down 35 to 40 per cent this season because of the weather.
“But the winemakers’ true skill has to come forth in the bad seasons,” she said.
Along with the conversation at the festival teaser on Friday 8 March was a look at the new Oscar’s on the Yarra, which has only been open for six months and already held a host of weddings, conferences and events requiring accommodation.
Chef Mark Kreueger recently returned to Australia after eight years as executive chef in Thailand’s leading restaurants and gave guests a taste of what will be on their Thai-inspired offering for the Yarra Valley Food and Wine Festival.
After the success of the inaugural Food and Wine Festival in 2012, operators in the Yarra Valley have again provided a program packed with fresh new events spread out over four days from 11 to 14 April.
The festival will showcase the broad range of wines and produce available in the valley as well as providing unique experiences and one-off events.
Visitors can go on a journey through Domaine Chandon’s Taste Trail or become a wine maker for the day at Whispering Hills Vineyard.
The festival has something for everyone including ultimate tastings at Seville Estate, cooking demonstrations at Yarra Valley Dairy, a family fun perfect pizza search at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, and tractor tours at Rayner’s Orchard.
There are many activities for visitors to fill the days before indulging in one of the festival’s delectable dinners.
A full festival program, transport, accommodation and ticket information is available online at www.yarravalleyfestival.com.au.
