Melbourne Cup weekend is fast approaching! If you’re at a loose end, why not make a last-minute escape from the city crowds and head the Grampians way for a weekend of stellar homegrown events! Here’s your escape program sorted:
Wine Down Friday at Montara – Orange Whip and Poptease Divas
This Friday, 2nd November, join in for a fun night of music and wine to kick off Melbourne Cup weekend. Montara Wines are thrilled to have local favourite Orange Whip to perform live and entertain with their fantastic soul, rock and blues tunes. Also performing will be the dynamic trio The Poptease Divas opening up the show with a captivating singing, dancing, and musical journey through the 1970s and the 1980s – just to up the fun, come dressed in your best diva or disco outfit for your chance to win wine! Montara Grampians estate range, beer, and platters will be available for purchase as well as woodfire pizza - Beautiful wines, delicious food, great entertainment, fun activities, and priceless views - you do not want to miss it!
Wine & Symphony at Mount Langi Ghiran
Wine & Symphony returns this Melbourne Cup Weekend! This Saturday, 3 November, spend the afternoon in the spectacular grounds of Mount Langi Ghiran - Wine, cheese feast, vineyard promenade, sun basking all culminating with 40 minutes of classical music performance.
Wander the vineyard, discovering the vines that produce the wines you have in your glass. A remarkable selection of cheeses will be set near the original bocce court surrounded by acres of vines. Some say, from there you have the most beautiful view of the property. Cushions and picnic rugs will be scattered on the grass so you can lie back in the embrace of Mount Langi Ghiran and Mount Cole until the performance starts in the winery.
Arriving in the winery transformed into a theatre with an imposing wall of barrels as the backdrop, you will be greeted with the finest of Mount Langi Ghiran wines. A glass of Langi Shiraz in your hand, the four musicians arrive, everyone settles and the performances start. Bliss! Bookings are essential and can be made here.
With superb views of the Grampians, this winery in the heart of Halls Gap is known for its estate grown Shiraz, Cabernet and Riesling.
Visit the cellar door on Sunday for free wine tastings, or settle in with a bottle of wine and cheese platter amidst the fine vocals of local musician Riley Mason LIVE from 1 - 5pm.
Reconnect with nature and your tastebuds just ten minutes from Halls Gap Town Centre at Pomonal Estate.
Offering wine, craft beer on tap plus cider tastings, celebrate Derby Day with hosts Pep and Adam over wood-fired pizza's from the 'Wood Fired Up Pizza Van'.
On Cup day Tuesday the Pomonal Estate party animals are back at it with ‘Chicken & Bubbles’ and a best hat competition with Pomonal Estate wines as the prize, which is sure to be fun for all!
Destination Great Western Live!
A visit to the Grampians is not complete without a trip to the region’s original wine village, Great Western!
Destination Great Western are kicking off Great Western Live this Melbourne Cup holiday weekend which means live music in Great Western every weekend, all summer. Woo hoo!
This weekend don’t miss the chance to hear Darcy Fox playing LIVE at Seppelt’s from 12 noon until 4pm on Saturday, followed by the talented Charlotte Harwood LIVE on Sunday also from 12 noon until 4pm.
The Great Western Hotel is hosting "Some Blonde Chick" on Cup Eve (Monday night) to get you into party mode for the race that stops a nation on Tuesday.
Best’s are serious about celebrating Melbourne Cup and will be open Saturday right through to Tuesday from 10am - 5pm and with a series of amazing activities:
Bring your friends, grab some wine and cheese, or bring a picnic and ease into the party vibes on Saturday. On Sunday, sip Rosé, get Spring racing fashion savvy AND crafty all at the same time with Flower Crowns and Rosé from 10 am; what better preparation for the big race than to make your own flower crown fascinator?! Bookings are essential – find out more here!
Also on Sunday, Best’s welcome Michael Yule (guitar soloist) who will be playing from 1pm - 5pm and on Monday from 12pm - 4pm. Relax to Michael’s mellow tunes and munch on 9-inch pizzas cooked by Robert from Pizza De Wheels from 11.45am. Yum!
And for the piece de resistance, Best’s have paired up with Grampians Helicopters on Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday to offer guests the chance to experience a joy flight over the vines from 12pm - 4.30pm starting from only $60 per person – EPIC! Simply turn up and book a ride at the winery or book ahead here.
