Come spring this year in Western Australia, the Margaret River region sees the Fine Vines Festival happening from October 20 till 29. For 10 days, wine lovers can look forward to close to 30 events planned for the festival with the collaboration of more than 80 wineries.
Running into its third year, this year’s programme welcomes back inaugural favourites such as the Busselton Wine Hop and Wine On The Water. Visitors opting for the former go on a self-guided walkabout on Saturday, October 21 through the city of Busselton that offers some of the region’s must-do experiences with small-scale wine producers within a walkable radius of Busselton’s best venues.
Happening on the same day is Wine On The Water, a whale watching experience with a tasting of Clairault Streicker wines aboard a catamaran. On October 21 too is the Somm Trek – a six-hour vineyard-to-vineyard tasting to learn about small-batch wines from a host of small-scale producers. This insider’s tour is hosted by award-winning sommelier, restaurateur and certified wine educator Foni Pollitt.
“It is always so much fun to go down the rabbit hole and learn about wine with like-minded people. I’m very excited to spend the day visiting a group of incredible wineries without cellar doors on the Somm Trek,” Pollitt said.
Back also at this year’s festival is Open Vineyards where guests are invited, for one weekend only, to go behind the vineyard gate and meet the winemakers whose vineyards aren’t usually open to the public.
Last year’s festival favourites Chameleon at Vasse Felix, Pet Nat Party at Bungalow Neighbourhood Social and Mozzarella in the Cellar at Juniper Estate will also be returning.
The full festival program will go live in early August and tickets will be available via www.finevinesfestival.com
