Tasting Australia

Published on 16 April 2021

Go south for your Tasting Australia experience

Calling all foodies and wine lovers—one of the country’s longest-running food and wine festivals is happening in Adelaide from 30 April to 9 May and the southern suburbs are packed with events.

Tasting Australia is a festival true to our culture, producers and regions. It showcases the incredible diversity of South Australia and has been named as one of the most exciting food festivals in the world.

For 10 days you can experience long lunches, exclusive dinners, farm tours, tastings, and masterclasses.

We’ve compiled a list of all the venues and their events in our region so you can experience the best of Tasting Australia in your own backyard, while supporting local businesses.

Click on the link at each location for more information on dates, times, ticket prices and availability.

McLaren Vale

Settlers Spirits Gin Masterclass

Get busy with botanicals in a gin masterclass that includes your very own bottle to take home. Settlers Spirits is hosting the two-hour classes at its McLaren Vale distillery. Enjoy views over the vineyards and Willunga hills while discovering combinations of 12 locally sourced botanicals, among them coriander leaf, yuzu, pomegranate and blood orange.

The Long Table

Italian food? Check. Gin and wine? Check. Some of the best views of McLaren Vale? Check! Join the team from Chalk Hill for a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience.

Discover Wirra Wirra

Join the fun-loving tribe at McLaren Vale’s Wirra Wirra for a full immersion into the iconic winery with a tour, tasting and lunch experience. Discover the secrets behind the Wirra Wirra’s biodynamic vineyards and learn about the winemaking and barrel ageing process with a tour of the original ironstone cellars.

Long Lunch amongst the Organic Vines with the Angove Family

A long lunch in McLaren Vale is a Tasting Australia must. Indulge with the Angove family in the heart of their historic Warboys Vineyard, home to some of the wine region’s oldest vines.

Autumn Harvest Feast – sold out

A dream team of all-Australian chefs is ready to make magic in McLaren Vale. Andrew McConnell— whose restaurant group includes Cumulus Inc. and Cutler & Co., Melbourne—and Brae’s Dan Hunter will join Coriole head chef Tom Tilbury to present a three-course lunch. Sign up here to be notified if more tickets are released to this event.

Producer’s Dinner at Maxwell Wines – sold out

Maxwell chef Fabian Lehmann is inspired by South Australian producers and the fare they farm. Now—exclusively for Tasting Australia—the Maxwell kitchen team presents a dinner highlighting those behind the ingredients that shape their dishes.

d’Arenberg Vintage Tour and Harvest Lunch – sold out

Be amongst the privileged few to get a glimpse inside the inner sanctum and engine room of d’Arenberg’s original cellars. Your guide will be none other than fourth generation Chief Winemaker Chester Osborn. A little magic will be added with the multi-course and shared seasonal menu prepared by the hands of SA legend and stalwart head chef Peter Reschke.

Culinary Voyage through the Mediterranean – sold out

McLaren Vale’s Serafino is hosting a lunch inspired by the beautifully diverse cuisine of Europe. Head chef Alberto Occhipinti will enlighten you with traditional Mediterranean dishes made using the best seasonal Fleurieu Peninsula produce. Sign up here to be notified if more tickets are released to this event.

Willunga

Meet the Grower, Taste the Region, Eat the Street

Coffee, beer, chocolate, wine—and that’s just before lunch. Get ready for a big day of Fleurieu Peninsula favourites. Tour the Willunga Farmers Market, sample products created by passionate locals and then enjoy a three-course meal at Vigna Bottin Wines.

McLaren Flat

Meet the Winemaker

Join one of South Australia’s top winemakers for a tasting in the heart of McLaren Vale. Beresford Wines is hosting a six-wine flight led by their Chief Winemaker. Guests will try Beresford wines including the Angelique premium cuvée, Estate grenache, Estate shiraz and cabernet sauvignon and sparkling shiraz. Each will be complemented by a tasting plate of regional canapés.

Old Reynella

Lounging by the Lake

Sundays are made for lounging—why not do it lakeside? St Francis Winery at Old Reynella is hosting an afternoon of live music accompanied by local wines and food stalls.

Relax overlooking Lake Carew Reynell or explore the five-acre property and its original 1852 winery building.

Glenelg

Gemtree Wine Dinner at Sammys

Stellar South Australian seafood and wine from McLaren Vale’s Gemtree wines will star in a beachside degustation at Sammy’s on the Marina. You’ll be treated to six-courses of the freshest catch—think Coffin Bay scallops, South Australian salmon, Moreton Bay bugs and more. South Australian duck and eye fillet will also make an appearance on this smorgasbord of our state’s best.

Sellicks Beach

Wendouree Dinner at the Victory – sold out

The historic Victory Hotel, which was established in 1858, is well known for its vast collection of Wendouree wines. Celebrate this unique collection of Clare Valley wines with an exclusive wine dinner featuring four-courses highlighting seasonal produce, each paired with one-of-a-kind Wendouree wines. Sign up here to be notified if more tickets are released to this event.

Blewitt Springs

Flame Trees Feast – sold out

Come close. The fire is ready. You’re in the heart of McLaren Vale, with exclusive access to one of its most intriguing properties. In your hand? Wine from revered local labels SC Pannell and Koomilya. Welcome to the feast. Lennox Hastie of Sydney’s Firedoor will join Luke Burgess and Karena Armstrong of the Salopian Inn for a lunch celebrating the delicious possibilities of cooking over open flame. Sign up here to be notified if more tickets are released to this event.

Old Noarlunga

A Multi Course Food and Wine Experience with the Chef and the Winemaker – sold out

Journey to the heart of the Fleurieu Peninsula for this collaborative food and wine experience. You’ll join acclaimed chef Chris Bone and Varney Wines winemaker Alan Varney in the intimate dining space of Victor’s Place, a hidden gem found at the gateway to McLaren Vale in Old Noarlunga. Sign up here to be notified if more tickets are released to this event.

Photo: South Australian Tourism Commission