Showcasing Coonawarra’s most famous drop

The Coonawarra Wine Region is gearing up for an event filled Spring with Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations returning next month.

A highlight on the South Australian food and wine event calendar, the spring time festival boasts a program of more than 50 events at cellar doors and wineries across the Coonawarra Wine Region running from October 1-20.

Designed to showcase and celebrate Coonawarra’s signature variety, Cabernet Sauvignon, the immersive program focuses attention on the sublime Cabernet wines being produced in the Coonawarra Wine Region, emphasising the elegance, drinkability and aging ability of Coonawarra Cabernet, whilst also highlighting the evolution and versatility of the variety.

Formerly hosted for the duration of October, this year’s program sees the celebrations consolidated to three weeks, with no shortage of events and experiences on offer to showcase Coonawarra’s Cabernet – in all its forms.

Coonawarra Vignerons events and marketing manager Heidi Guyett said there would be plenty of opportunities for wine afficionados, foodies and families alike to explore and experience Coonawarra, whilst enjoying the worldclass wines, country hospitality and sense of community.

“Coonawarra has long held a reputation for producing some of the world’s finest Cabernet wines, be it as a single variety, blend, sparkling wine or otherwise,” Mrs Guyett said. “The Cabernet Celebrations program features over 50 food and wine experiences to be enjoyed over three weeks at venues across the region, to celebrate, educate and active ones senses.

“From high end wine dinners to casual pizza days, vertical tastings to blending sessions, winery tours, masterclasses, and long lunches, Coonawarra’s wineries will offer visitors (and locals alike) the opportunity to experience and discover the best of the region.”

One of the undisputed highlights of the Cabernet Celebrations program is the intimacy of the events and the opportunity this provides for people to meet the makers and the families at the heart of the wine community.

“Aside from tasting the exquisite wines of the region, festivalgoers will have the opportunity to dine and meet with winemakers, viticulturists and boutique winery owners, go behind the scenes in the winery and even sample wines that are yet to be officially released, all the while learning about the process and the passion that goes into Coonawarra’s famed wines,” Mrs Guyett said.

The first weekend will see the Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations Golf Day and Family Fiesta theme kick off the festival, coinciding with the spring school holidays.

The Coonawarra Golf Day will serve as the opening event on Friday, October 4, leading into South Australia’s Labour Day Long weekend, with more than 100 players registered to take to the greens in the 4-person team Ambrose tournament at the Penola Golf Course.

The celebrations will ramp up over the weekend with Pizza and Tunes at Raidis Estate and Turk Bey Street Food popping up at Katnook Estate on Saturday, a mimosa sparkling breakfast event at Koonara in their main street cellar door, and a myriad of food and wine tasting experiences happening at cellar doors across the long weekend.

The following weeks will see themes around ‘Blending it Up’ and the marriage of Cabernet Sauvignon with other varieties and ‘Back to our Roots’ a weekend tribute to the original festival.

Interactive week by week guides outlining the offerings can be viewed on the festival page on the Coonawarra.org website, in addition to the pdf program which is available to download.

Among the events to feature in this year’s program is a cabaret performance by Australia’s most loved singing cook Michelle Pearson.

“We are very excited to have Michelle return to Coonawarra as a part of the festival bringing her multi-award-winning musical food performance, Comfort Food Cabaret with a touch of Cabernet – to Brand’s Laira Coonawarra,” Mrs Guyett said.

“She (Michelle) is a fabulous entertainer, combining her love of music, cooking and storytelling into a mesmerising dinner and show experience. Audiences will enjoy live music with Michelle’s hilarious and heart-warming storytelling through song and recipes that celebrate South Australian produce and award-winning wines from Brand’s Laira.”

A new event to the 2024 program is a DOWN TOWN FIESTA, scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 12, in the Penola War Memorial parklands.

The afternoon event will bring festival vibes to the Penola township from 3.30-8.30pm combining food, wine and music suitable for all ages.

Among the wineries showcasing at the event will be Parker Estate, who will not only have a selection of award-winning wines on offer but will feature their Cabernet Gin in a display of Cabernet and all its forms.

“Five Coonawarra Wineries will be showcasing, with wine tasting tickets allowing attendees to sample wines before committing to a glass or bottle,” Mrs Guyett said. “We look forward to it being a relaxed afternoon suitable for all ages with the neighbouring playground and skate park ideal for keeping the kids entertained and spacious lawn area for people chill out on.

“Penola ‘pig spinners’ Roosters Rotisseries will be firing up their spit to serve delicious Roast pork rolls, loaded spuds and snags, with Port MacDonnell’s Tide Espresso Bar serving a range of savoury and sweet picnic boxes and speciality coffees from their newly launched Coast Coffee Van. The event is free to attend but tasting and food deal tickets can be purchased in advance at discounted prices.”

The final weekend of the program will see the return of the Combined Wineries Cabernet Decade[nce] Tasting, which has long been a highlight in the festival program.

The collective showcase, hosted by the Coonawarra Vignerons Association, brings together 15 producers and winemakers in one location to taste and compare wines 10 years and older alongside current release Cabernets.

“Not all of Coonawarra’s producers have cellar doors, so this is a great opportunity for them to be involved in the program, to showcase their signature wines and introduce their range to the attending wine lovers,” Mrs Guyett said.

This year’s showcase will be hosted at Wynns, downstairs in the historic cellar, on Friday October 18, followed by a decadent dinner at the nearby Ottelia Restaurant.

The remaining weekend’s activities see key events such as Balnaves sparkling cabernet breakfast, Mrs Zema’s Pizza and Live Music, DiGiorgio Piccolos and Pastries at Pipers of Penola, and Majella’s Decade of Cabernet tasting paired with ‘Prof’s Paella’ in the winery.

The International Cabernet Masterclass also returns as a feature event in the October program. Hosted by the Coonawarra Vignerons, Coonawarra winemaker’s Lauren Hansen (Penley Estate) and Sue Bell (Bellwether Wines) are joining forces to guide a fascinating Compass of Cabernet masterclass exploring the North, South, East and West of Global Cabernet.

“Twelve wines that epitomise varietal and regional identity will be featured,” presenter Sue Bell said.

“I look forward to exploring what’s happening in the world of cabernet, highlighting progressive game-changers of the industry alongside classic producers, whilst also focusing on the elegance, identity and diversity of Coonawarra Cabernet.”

For those venturing to the region, navigating your way around Coonawarra is a breeze with the region’s cellar doors all scattered along one stretch of road.

A shuttle bus hop-on, hop- off service is available each weekend of October to transport festivalgoers to and from events. Tickets for the service can be booked online, and prospective passengers are encouraged to secure their seat in advance.

The festival is supported by the South Australian Tourism Commission through the Regional Events Fund.

For more information and to view the program of events visit online at https://coonawarra.org/ccc-october-2024/