Celebrating Easter in Coonawarra wine country

The Easter Long Weekend is upon us and Coonawarra’s wineries are going that extra mile to fill the baskets and itineraries of visitors to the region and locals alike, with a selection of unique experiences on offer.

From behind-the-scenes winery tours to chocolate and wine tastings, to pizza parties, street food selections and trackside fun, there’s something to appeal to all ages and tastes.

Coonawarra Vignerons events and marketing manager Heidi Guyett was excited at the range of experiences being offered with an Easter Guide having been developed to display what’s on in the wine region. It is available to view at www.coonwarra.org

“Not only is wine tasting on the cards for Good Friday, but there are also several events, pop up food offerings and a vintage experience being featured exclusively over the Easter long weekend,” Mrs Guyett said.

“On Good Friday, in particular, we have often found that options are limited in our region, especially on the food and wine front, due to the nature of the public holiday, which traditionally sees businesses close for this day of significance.

“But given it is the start of a four-day weekend, and school holidays for our Victorian neighbours, we know that there are plenty of people venturing to the Limestone Coast for a short, or extended vacation, so it is important we give them options to enhance their stay.”

Over a half a dozen cellar doors will be open for wine tastings on March 29, including Bellwether, Koonara, Leconfield Coonawarra, Patrick of Coonawarra, Raidis Estate, Redman, Rymill Coonawarra, Wynns Coonawarra Estate and Whistle Post Estate.

Raidis Estate are well renowned in the region for hosting events, combining great food with fabulous wines and live music, and will once again be firing up the wood oven for ‘Pizza and Tunes’ on Good Friday and on Easter Sunday.

Emma Raidis passionately believes things in life are better when shared and enjoys creating an environment for people to come together.

“What could be better than enjoying good wine and delicious food surrounded by family and friends?” Emma said..

“We’ve got a spacious all weather venue and secure lawn area packed with games and equipment for the kids and the young at heart to play with, and picnic rugs available to throw out under the shady trees.

“We look forward to welcoming families to Coonawarra and treating them to a memorable afternoon out.”

The Coonawarra Community Club will also open its doors on Good Friday night for their monthly ‘tea night’ with locals and visitors alike, encouraged to pop on in for a feed and a drink with members of the Coonawarra Community.

Long time Coonawarra Community Club member Mal Redman said absolutely everybody was welcome to come along to mix and mingle with the grassroots people of the Coonawarra Wine region.

“The Community Club is a great place to enjoy a casual meal and a beverage right in the heart of the Coonawarra township,” Mal said. “There is every guarantee that you will rub shoulders with a local legend – be it behind the bar, in the kitchen or around the dining room.”

The remainder of the weekend looks to be just as scrumptious, with Leconfield Coonawarra is partnering with local low n’ slow legends, Lumberjacks, to serve up mouthwatering BBQ Brisket on Easter Saturday, whilst over at Katnook Estate Turkish Street Food will be on the menu with local food van ‘Turk-Bey’ making authentic Turkish Pide.

The street food flavours continue at Wynns Coonawarra Estate with Happi Belli Vietnamese setting up shop on Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday, and for those seeking a more traditional taste of Australia, gourmet homemade lamb and rosemary pies will be on offer at Parker Estate for the duration of the weekend.

Produce platters are also available at selected cellar doors across the region, and for those looking to long lunch, Ottelia Restaurant will be open Easter Saturday through to Easter Monday for diners.

Coinciding with the grape harvest in Coonawarra, the Easter break also provides the opportunity for visitors to partake in and experience some of the sights of vintage.

At Redman, guests can get a glance of the vintage action taking place in the Redman Winery.

The Redman family are one of the oldest winemaking families in the district and are inviting visitors into the heart of the winery to experience the sights, smells and tastes of vintage firsthand.

Tours are available daily over the easter long weekend and must be booked online in advance – limited spaces available.

Kids will also have the opportunity to keep the Easter festivities going at Bellwether, with ‘Maggie’s Easter Egg Hunt’ planned on Sunday afternoon.

Kicking off at 2pm families are invited to pop in for a tasting, while the kids explore the produce garden and winery grounds in the quest to find the hidden eggs.

The annual Easter Races will be run at the Penola Racecourse on Easter Sunday with the DiGiorgio Family Wines Penola Cup offering plenty of fun filled activities for kids of all ages including kids running races, Jumping castle, face painting and a special visit from the Easter Bunny.

Rounding out the weekend’s offerings, for those that haven’t had enough Easter goodness, are chocolate and wine tastings at Patrick of Coonawarra and Katnook Estate.

For the full overview of what’s on in Coonawarra this Easter view the Long weekend guide at www.coonwarra.org