New Grape Day Out a toastworthy treat for fire-stricken wineries

NEXT month’s revamped Bendigo Winemakers Festival, now known as the Grape Day Out, returns with an extra agenda this year.

In the face of numerous bushfire-affected wineries within the region and a local hospitality industry struggling against a generation-defining downturn, the cherished festival’s organisers are keen to make a difference.

As such, pre-purchased food tickets will include two restaurant dishes from local fine diners The Dispensary, The Woodhouse and Le Foyer and a complimentary glass of wine from producers disrupted by the January Harcourt fires.

Spokesperson for the event, Steve Vine of Mandurang Valley Wines, said there’s a whole list of wineries impacted in one way or another, whether they’ve lost stock, had smoke-taint problems or a whole range of other complex issues.

“To cap it off, the uncertainty of the current world economic climate doesn’t help anyone’s cause either – it’s another layer of pressure, and when fuel prices go up, fertiliser prices go up too,” he said.

“They’ve been hit over and over and over again.

“So, what we are trying to do in providing that glass of wine, we’re bringing people’s attention to (their plight), because these things are easy to do.

“It’s a couple of months ago and for a lot of people, they’re worried about mortgage payments and work things and other commitments at the moment, so it’s just bringing the focus back a bit.”

Vine said because local restaurants have also been hit hard, the well-established trio of venues have gained a guernsey at this year’s event.

“Hospitality’s struggling, so it’s going to be good for them to not only sell some food, but get a bit of publicity around themselves as well,” he said.

“When you’re a restaurateur, you’re dependent on people Googling you or you’re dependent on word-of-mouth reviews.

“So, it’s really important for those restaurants to be able to come out of the building they’re in and be showcased in a different setting.”

The Grape Day Out will be held in Rosalind Park on Saturday 2 May from 11am to 4pm.

Tickets are on sale at Humanitix.