Held over three days - Friday 5 May to Sunday 7 May - and nestled in one of Australia's most spectacular natural backdrops, the Grampians Grape Escape in Halls Gap is a weekend of wine, food and music you simply cannot miss. This year, the Festival will celebrate 30 years of the region's best producers and makers - so, if you haven’t been yet, this is the year to go!
The celebrations kick off with Feel-Good Friday, where fun-seekers can begin their festival celebrations dancing the evening away to three bands, including festival favourite 19-Twenty and Madhouse.
The full Grampians Grape Escape village will open on Saturday with more than 100 stalls for festival-goers to explore, from wine and whiskey to calamari and candles. A diverse range of exhibitor masterclasses, cooking demonstrations, free kids’ activities, and the prestigious Grampians Winemakers Barrique Auction will all be accessible.
So whether it's your first time to the Grampians Grape Escape or whether you've been going for years, now’s the time for a weekend getaway - The Grampians Way.
What to try, where to visit, where to stay? We’ve got you covered.
Fallen Giants vineyard was planted on the steep Eastern slopes of the Grampians in 1969, and has long since been a respected grower for many of the country's great wineries. With superb views of the Grampians, this winery in the heart of Halls Gap is known for its estate grown Shiraz, Cabernet and Riesling - definitely worth a sample.
If Shiraz is your thing then Clayfield Wines is a must. The grape is 100% estate grown and all wine is produced on site. Visit this stand to discover the world class Clayfield style, putting the best of the region’s unmistakable flavour, elegance and balanced structure front-and -centre.
Be sure to visit Pomonal Estate, a Winery, Microbrewery and Cider House located in the picturesque town of Pomonal. Located only 10 minutes from Halls Gap, the views of the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park’s mountains are pretty hard to beat, as are the lunch menu items featuring wonderful local produce. Open Wednesday – Sunday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and serving lunch from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Another must-visit stall at Grampians Grape Escape is Mount Langi Ghiran. Frequently dubbed one of Australia’s most picturesque wineries, this Mount Langi Ghiran specialises in the Grampians region’s signature varietal - Shiraz.
A visit to the Grampians is not complete without a trip to the region’s original winemaking pioneers at Seppelt Great Western and festival-goers will have the opportunity to sample this historic cellar door’s produce across the two days.
Despite the name, it’s not just about the wine at Grampians Grape Escape! Fans of the amber nectar can stop by the stands of Stawell microbrewery Grampians Ale Works alongside Halls Gap’s own Paper Scissors Rock Brew co to sip and sample fresh, locally made beers.
If a wider tour of the area is of interest, make sure you visit the Grampians Wine Tours stall. This first-class service provider offers unparalleled views of the region's natural beauty on a scenic flight while touching down at a winery or two with Grampians Helicopters.
Also exhibiting at Grampians Grape Escape: , Best’s Great Western, Mountainside Wines, Miners Ridge Wines and Grampians Estate.
The Grape Escape is just one of the many extraordinary adventures you can have in the Grampians. Amongst the plethora of things to do, a visit to Halls Gap Zoo is a must. A host of unexpected wildlife including cheetahs, giraffes, meerkats, monkeys, red pandas, crocodiles, snakes and dingoes can all be seen.
All that zoo walking got you hungry? Adventure Café Bar (co-located with Grampians Adventure Golf and MOCO Gallery) has you sorted with a selection of yummy bites. For something more substantial, it’s hard to beat Spirit of Punjab’s Lamb Rogan Josh - spiciness at its absolute best. Grampians Wine Cellar, in the heart of Halls Gap, is a place where visitors and locals alike can learn about and discover the hidden gems and historic icons of the region - a great place to visit and put all your new-found Grampians Grape Escape wine knowledge to use!
Talking of retail stores, if shopping is your thing, Dunkeld’s Gerard Murphy Furniture designs are unmistakable, always interesting and sometimes startling. Or, if you find yourself in Dimboola, a stop at the Dimboola Imaginarium a must. This whimsical gift shop housed in the former National Bank of Australasia Limited building is an architectural wonderland.
Don’t leave it too long to find a place to stay. Follow the festival Facebook event page or website to keep up to date with availability, and for all bus transfer details from surrounding towns.
