McLaren Vale Grenache & Gourmet Festival 19 September-6 October 2025
The McLaren Vale Grenache & Gourmet Festival is truly the unforgettable way to start your spring—from Friday 19 September to Monday 6 October. Eighteen days of premium wine, exquisite food, and the kind of good vibes you wish you could bottle. Be it vineyard tours and picnics, to cabaret nights and lunch parties, every glass comes with a side of local flavour and a good story.
Friday 19 September-Monday 6 October
9am-2pm
Discover McLaren Vale by eBike: Trade four wheels for two and cruise through McLaren Vale wine country by eBike. Imagine riding along curated food and scenery routes, exploring this world-class region with ease and style. Pedal, sip, snack, repeat. An exciting adventure indeed. $90
10-11:30am
Yangarra High Sands Experience: Delve into the story of High Sands, Yangarra's iconic old-vine Grenache, on this private estate tour and tasting. Starting with a guided vineyard tour, to enjoying a tasting of exclusive future vintages. It's history, it's wine, it's basically a VIP pass to Grenache heaven. $150
11am-4pm
In Our Element Tasting Flight: Experience a tasting flight of some of the finest Grenache wines paired with a four-course mini menu prepared by Harry Deli’s head chef. More like a fine dining affair. Come find out how 2025 Dry Grenache Rosé complements a range of flavour-focused dishes. $70
11am-5pm
A brief history of Grenache at Samuel's Gorge: Taste your way through time with Samuel's Gorge as they share history and showcase a different back vintage of Grenache every day of the festival. Learn the wine history, savour it better. $10
Pour & Explore Tasting: Step into Patritti’s tasting room for a guided tasting flight and explore four wines of your choosing from their curated selection. It never stops pouring—from fresh and vibrant to deep and complex. $10
Friday 19, 26 September, 3 October, Thursday 25 September, 2 October
12-2pm
Get Your Duck & Grenache Fixe: Stunning vineyard views, a three-course shared lunch, including a special succulent duck cuisine, with exceptional Grenache wine. Join Angove & Vineyard Kitchen for a dreamy afternoon feast. $49
Friday 19, 26 September, 3 October, Saturday 20, 27 September, 4 October, Sunday 21, 28 September, 5 October, Monday 6 October
11am-3:30pm
Aged & Glazed: Yangarra Grenache x Shadow Baking: Grenache meets buttery pastries—the collaboration you didn't know your weekend needed. Enjoy the newly released 2024 vintage alongside two aged-release wines from the cellar, paired with sweet baked treats. $30
Saturday 20, 27 September, 4 October, Sunday 21, 28 September, 5 October, Monday 6 October
11am-3pm
Wood, Fire & Vines at Paxton Wines: Settle in and unwind on the weekend days of Grenache & Gourmet at Paxton as they fire up the wood-fired pizza ovens. Enjoy pizza made with seasonal, local ingredients, perfectly paired with a glass of Paxton Grenache. Consider it your official McLaren Vale carb-and-wine loading station. $28
Saturday 20 September
12-4pm
Grenache On The Grass: Fancy a picnic-style event? Then pack a rug (and maybe a dance move or two) for a relaxed afternoon among the vines, sipping award-winning Grenache and soaking up the sounds of live local music. $25 (or $60 with Charcuterie box preorder)
6:30pm-10:30pm
Cabaret @ Red Poles: A night of sensational food, wines and entertainment! Live music in the intimate setting of an art gallery space. Cocktail on arrival, a three-course dinner, a tasting flight of 4 Samson Tall wines, and basically the festival’s sassy highlight. $95
Sunday 21 September
12-4pm
A Porchetta Party: A slow-roasted porchetta feast by Oliver’s Taranga with Grenache to match. Not just one, but three different styles of Grenache. Think crispy crackling, juicy meat, and the smug joy of knowing you scored a ticket. $150
Sunday 21, 28 September, 5 October
11am-12:30pm
Blind Tasting Challenge: How well do you know your wine? Join Emmanuelle Bekkers for a sensory wine game. Identify the hidden McLaren Vale concealed amongst some of the world's finest medium-bodied red wines. Swirl, sniff, sip—then stake your reputation. An event to stir both the palate and the intellect. $95
Saturday 27 September
12-3pm
Earth & Ember: Think of this as a fireside chat with Grenache in hand: you, three biodynamic wines, and locally inspired canapés created by chef Billie of Meez on Plus. All while Ben Paxton walks you through how their biodynamic farming shapes flavour, terroir, and good vibes. $75
Sunday 28 September, 5 October
11am-4pm
Linguine & Grenache Lunch: Join Hither and Yon, in collaboration with Willa and a guest winemaker, for a special lunch experience at their historic cellar door. Enjoy a hearty bowl of linguine, slow-cooked meat ragu or a vibrant vegetarian option, perfectly paired with a flight of 5–6 Grenache wines from Hither & Yon and the guest producer. $40
Australian Map Gifts helps champion Australian tourism through its range of beautifully watercolour-illustrated tourist map gifts including aprons, greeting cards, postcards, tea towels and tote bags, all lightweight souvenirs to help visitors remember their adventures and plan new destinations. Check out our range of McLaren Vale map gifts.