Red event relishes return

AFTER a two-year gap, a prominent wine event is returning to celebrate western Victoria’s red vintners.

Twenty-two wineries throughout the Grampians and Pyrenees regions will meet at the Ballarat Mining Exchange to showcase their best reds as part of this year’s Red Series.

The event will take place on Saturday, 30 July, and co-coordinator Kate Davis said it will provide a fun, relaxing day for everyone.

“People can buy a glass or bottle of wine, they can have a drink, they can chat with friends and meander through the different wineries,” she said.

“The winemakers are there so they’ll be able to meet them, see what they’re all about, and buy direct from them if they like.

“It’s a fabulous way to understand who our wineries are. You might have heard of some of them, and the fact they’re all coming to Ballarat is amazing.”

Each winery will bring three reds and a fourth variety of their choosing to display to attendees.

For the first time, the event will be split into two sessions with both times capped at 400 people with the first running from 11.30am to 2.30pm and the second from 3.30pm to 6.30pm.

J & M Catering are providing food for the event, with pies being developed to go alongside some of the wines on offer.

Clarnette Wines is based in Armstrong, just north of Ararat, and winemaker Leigh Clarnette is planning to showcase his products at the event.

“You meet so many people who are just keen to talk about wines. The patrons are always really lovely,” he said.

“To be able to open up and communicate about what they like is an absolute joy to see.”

“I’m always stunned at the arrangement of styles, who likes what type of wine, and I’m excited to see what this one holds.”