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The countdown is on for the 2022 Clare Valley SCA Gourmet Week, which promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Presented by Southern Cross Austereo, the event will be a showcase of all things Clare Valley: award winning wine, delicious produce, notable people, heritage buildings and the region’s quintessentially Australian landscape.
The flagship food and wine event for the state’s Mid-North will again embrace its week-long format, with the event incorporating more than 30 wineries and restaurants, offering more than 60 unique events.
The festival will kick off with the Laneway Launch Party at the popular Seed Clare Valley on Friday 13th May where, for the first time ever, Clare’s Burton Lane will be transformed into a hub of fine food and wine. The collaboration, between Seed Clare Valley and Clare Valley Wine & Grape, will feature street food straight from the wood-fired oven, a raw bar laden with Gazander oysters and a pop-up wine bar stacked with gold-medal winning Clare Valley wines.
On Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th May, the event will follow the traditional gourmet format, where the region’s favourite cellar doors will open in collaboration with pop-up restaurants, food vans and live music. Shuttle buses will be operating on constant loops, linking the valley over the two days.
Throughout the week, a range of unique events will be popping up all over the region. Eventgoers can dine under the stars in the heart of the Eldredge Wines vineyard while learning about the constellations shining above or take an art class on the lawns of Sevenhill Cellars allowing their creative side to flourish in one of the state’s most beautiful and historic locations. There will be the chance to put sensory skills to the test in a wine blending workshop at Knappstein Wines or traverse the valley on a wine and wilderness hike, finishing with lunch at renowned Skillogalee Restaurant.
Big names will grace the region, including the legendary cricket icon Glenn McGrath who will be the guest speaker at the Jim Barry High Tea on Sunday 15th May. Global chefs will dish up delights around the region, such as the renowned internationally acclaimed chef Jake Kellie and the nation’s leading wine and food commentators; Nick Ryan, Katie Spain and Nick Stock will play host to various wine experiences throughout the event.
The week’s festivities will conclude in the best way, with the inaugural ‘Land of the Long Lunch’ on the 21st and 22nd of May. Taking place in unique locations and well-loved venues, long lunches will be presented in collaboration with restaurants and local and interstate food personalities, showcasing the very best regional produce and wine. This is the first of event of its kind for the Clare Valley SCA Gourmet Week and promises to be a highlight of the program.
For the first time, the Clare Valley SCA Gourmet Week has launched its own website, which features the program of events, links to tickets, bus routes, and general event information. Instead of the traditional printed program, visitors to the region can simply view the event listings and participating events with just a few clicks on their desktops or smart phones.
Belinda Heinrich, events spokesperson says that the diversity of the Clare Valley food and wine community is really evident in this year’s programming of events.
“From intimate wine tasting and blending experiences, cooking and wine masterclasses, long lunches, to garden parties, picnics and markets; the 2022 Clare Valley SCA Gourmet Week has it all,” said Belinda.
“The Clare Valley SCA Gourmet Week is an iconic regional celebration. As the oldest continuously running food and wine festival in Australia, the event celebrates the very best that the Clare Valley has to offer.
“And this year, there will be even more on the menu. From high teas and stargazing to picnic breakfasts and long lunches in the vines, there will be so much to see and do over 10 days.
“We encourage visitors to jump on a bus, stay for the weekend or organise a group itinerary to enjoy the very best that the festival has to offer.”
The 2022 Clare Valley SCA Gourmet Week will be held from Friday 13th to Sunday 22nd May 2022.
Visit clarevalleygourmet.com.au for the full program of events and ticket sales.
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