Sip, savour and celebrate the harvest

THERE will be something for everyone at this year’s Heathcote Harvest Festival, returning to Barrack Reserve Oval this Sunday 8 March.

Celebrating the beginning of autumn and the local grape vintage, the festival invites visitors to enjoy the region’s food, wine and music in a relaxed twilight setting.

“With fine weather predicted, we believe this year will be the best yet,” Heathcote Tourism & Development vice-president, India Munari, said.

Starting at 4pm, the event will feature a twilight market with a range of local and regional stalls, while visitors can wander the grounds sampling wines, craft beer and spirits from across the region.

Entry is $10 for adults and includes a souvenir festival glass, with all drinks available to purchase at bar prices.

The drinks lineup includes Envy Distilling, Silver Spoon Estate, Three Dams Estate, In Good Spirits Distilling, Pook Road Winery, Munari Wines, Sutherland Wines, M.Chapoutier, Lost Watering Hole, Axedale Tavern and Bendigo Brewing Co.

Silver Spoon will serve its distinctive rosé in a can, while Munari Wines will showcase Italian white varieties including Vermentino, Garganega and Fiano alongside rosé.

Visitors can wander the grounds sampling wines, craft beer and spirits from across the region.

Three Dams Estate will dish up Spanish-inspired fare including pizza, patatas bravas and paella, paired with sangria and Spanish wines by the glass.

Lost Watering Hole, a Lancefield craft brewery returning for its third year, will pour a range of beers from its unique keg-equipped combi van.

Food options will include souvlaki, burgers, pizza, slushies and fairy floss, with market stalls selling toys, clothing and plants.

On the main stage, the festival will feature a great lineup of live music with Luke Harrington & The Hoodoo Heathens, Doc Halibut and Beth String Fix Guitar.

Families are also well catered for, with lawn games, face painting and, for the first time, a giant teacup ride.

The dog-friendly festival encourages visitors to bring along family, friends, picnic blankets and chairs for a relaxed evening celebrating the start of the Heathcote harvest.

Children under 18 enter free.

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