Pyrenees’ best on show

THE best wine and food in the region are set to be on show this Saturday at the Pyrenees Unearthed Festival.

Held along the banks of the Avoca River from 11am until 5pm, the day will have wine, food, produce, kids’ activities and live entertainment on offer.

Jane Baker, owner of Mrs Baker’s Still House, said the event is a celebration for the community.

“We do it at the start of April, so vintage is normally finished for most winemakers and they’re happy, relaxed because they’ve already got all their fruit in,” she said.

“You’ve got a whole lot of really happy winemakers there, so it’s a big party for us as well as all the people who come along.”

Attendees can buy drinks from Mrs Baker’s Still House at a bar including gins, liqueurs and whisky.

Mother’s Day gift boxes will also be for sale.

Free wine tastings from different winemakers are on offer for ticket holders and drinks can be purchased by the glass or bottle.

“A lot of people get a glass of wine, sit down with their friends under the trees, listen to the music and have a bit of a chinwag,” said Ms Baker.

“We also have a wine auction where the winemakers pull out some of their vintages or special things and these go up for auction.

“People normally get to buy some really unusual items and that money is basically funding for next year’s festival.”

Ms Baker encouraged everyone to make the trip, especially with the autumn weather.

“It’s just perfect wine tasting conditions,” she said.

“It’s also a great time to support your local as we’ve just had the bushfires close to us where I had four family members out on fire trucks for a week.”

Ms Baker thanked Michael O’Hara for his role in organising the event and as the president of the Pyrenees Winemakers Association.

To book tickets or find out more information, visit the Pyrenees Unearthed Wine and Food Festival website.