Pictured: Hither & Yon
If your idea of a good time involves a glass of Grenache in hand and an excellent South Australian meal on the table, clear your calendar.
Grenache & Gourmet is returning to the McLaren Vale wine region from September 18th to October 5th, bringing together some of the region’s top wineries, chefs, producers and foodies for a celebration of one of South Australia’s most unique varieties.
Over 18 days, the festival will deliver long lunches, gourmet pairings, tastings, fireside feasts and plenty of opportunities to discover new expressions of Grenache.
With a huge program of events to choose from, we’ve rounded up a few that deserve a spot on your list.
Pearl’s In Praise of Grenache
Settle in for a long lunch by the sea, with Grenache in hand.
Begin with a welcome Ginache from Never Never Distilling Co., then settle in for a seasonal feast by Pearl shaped by the ocean and land around Aldinga Beach.
Four expressive Grenaches from In Praise of Shadows, wide coastal views and generous beachside hospitality make this a spring afternoon to remember.
When: Friday, September 18th, 12pm to 4pm
Where: Pearl, Boat Ramp, Aldinga Beach, South Australia 5173
Price: $150
For more information, click here.
Patritti’s Grenache & Grill
Over three days during Grenache & Gourmet, Patritti is teaming up with BBQ at Yours for a weekend of charcoal-cooked, South American-inspired cuisine, live music and plenty of Grenache. A special menu created exclusively for the event will feature a recommended Patritti Grenache pairing with each dish, showcasing the versatility and diversity of the much-loved variety. Gather your friends, grab a seat and settle in for a relaxed day of great wine, smoky flavours and live music.
When: Friday, September 18th to Sunday, September 20th
Where: 13-23 Clacton Road, Adelaide, South Australia 5048
For more information, click here.
Hither & Yon’s Linguine and Grenache Lunch
Hither & Yon is hosting a special Linguine & Grenache lunch at its historic cellar door. Held across two Fridays during the festival, the experience will bring together food by Willa, wines by Hither & Yon and guest winemaker Larnook Wines, with guests treated to bowls of linguine made using fresh, locally sourced ingredients alongside a flight of Grenache wines showcasing the depth and diversity of McLaren Vale’s signature variety. If you ever needed a reason to take a long weekend – this is it.
When: Friday, September 18th and Friday, September 25th
Where: Hither & Yon, 17 High Street, Willunga, South Australia 5172
Price: $55 per person
For more information, click here.
Angove’s Grenache Through the Generations and Artisan Platter Experience
Angove’s Grenache experience pairs three distinctive wines with an artisan platter showcasing some of the finest produce from McLaren Vale and the Fleurieu Peninsula. Guests can choose between a Grenache Trio Tasting, featuring a new-vine expression, a matured old-vine release and a rare museum Grenache blend, or a Warboys Grenache Vertical Tasting of the 2022, 2023 and 2024 vintages. The tasting is paired with a generous gourmet platter featuring Penfield olives, Little Acre pâté, house-made pickles, regional cheeses, Andy Clappis artisan bread, Penfield EVOO and dukkah, seasonal preserves and a petit palate cleanser.
When: Available Wednesday to Sunday from 11:30am to 3:30pm
Where: Angove Family Winemakers, 117 Chalk Hill Road, McLaren Vale, South Australia 5171
Price: $55 per person
For more information, click here.
Beach Road Wine’s Three Expressions
Discover three different expressions of Grenache in this exclusive seated wine and food experience, created especially for the Grenache & Gourmet Festival. Guests will enjoy three 100mL pours of Grenache, Eredita and The Grafter, each paired with a carefully matched gourmet dish designed to be generous enough to satisfy while still allowing each wine to shine. The experience also includes an exclusive festival special on a three-bottle pack of the featured wines.
When: September 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th, October 3rd and 4th
Where: Beach Road Wines, 309 Seaview Road, McLaren Vale, South Australia 5171
For more information, click here.
McLaren Vale Hotel’s Grenache & Gourmet
A fireside-style dish with real McLaren Vale flavour.
At the McLaren Vale Hotel, tuck into spiced lamb rump with roasted pumpkin purée, rosemary kipfler potatoes and braised cavolo nero, matched with the Thistledown 2024 Thorny Devil Grenache from local legends and McLaren Vale Wine Show Bushing royalty, Thistledown Wines.
A generous, satisfying pairing for a cool spring day or evening.
When: September 18th to October 5th, 12pm to 9pm
Where: McLaren Vale Hotel, Main Road McLaren Vale, South Australia 5171
For more information, click here.
Yangarra’s Grenache by Site
If you’re keen to take your Grenache knowledge to the next level, this one is for you. Yangarra Estate Vineyard is hosting an immersive comparative tasting exploring the character, complexity and terroir of Grenache from two remarkable single-vineyard sites, Yangarra in Blewitt Springs and Hickinbotham in Clarendon. The tasting will put wines from the two subregions side-by-side, exploring how soil, elevation, vine age and sub-regional nuances shape each expression, while a curated flight featuring the 2024 vintage alongside back-vintage releases offers a rare chance to trace the evolution of Grenache across different seasons and sites.
When: September 18th to October 5th
Where: Yangarra Estate Vineyard Cellar Door, Kangarilla
For more information, click here.
So, whether you’re a serious Grenache enthusiast or just looking for an excuse to spend a spring weekend in the McLaren Vale wine region, there are plenty of ways to get involved. From intimate cellar-door tastings to long lunches, special dinners and unique food-and-wine experiences, Grenache & Gourmet 2026 is shaping up to be one very delicious reason to head south.
Grenache & Gourmet 2026
When: September 18th to October 5th
Where: Participating Venues Across the McLaren Vale wine region
For more information and to check out the huge lineup of events, click here.
For more on Grenache & Gourmet, click here.
