By Kath Gannaway
Shedfest Wine Festival is the perfect time to discover for yourself the hidden secrets and pure delight of the smaller wineries of the Yarra Valley.
The Yarra Valley is home to some of the most inviting smaller wineries in the region and Shedfest, held annually on the second weekend in October – and now in its 16th year – was established to showcase the unique charm of family-owned wineries and vineyards in the Valley.
Originally showcasing the Warburton Highway wineries, the success of Shedfest has led to the inclusion of smaller wineries from along the Maroondah Highway to Healesville and the Melba Highway to Yarra Glen and beyond.
The result is a two-day festival, this year on 7 and 8 October, that provides a much wider festival experience and a broader experience of all the Yarra Valley’s smaller wineries have to offer.
So, why SHEDfest?
Well, all wineries have sheds. Usually they house crushers, barrels, tractors and other equipment vitally important to the production of fine wines. But, on Shedfest weekend, the shed doors are flung open and turned over to two days of food, fine wine, live music and entertainment.
It’s the type of festival where you can take it easy and enjoy the best that the Valley has to offer.
Taste local produce, experience the charm of small vineyards, be captivated by stunning views, chat to the owners and winemakers, tap your toes to some fine tunes, play petanque, take croquet lessons, lawn games and watch the kids have fun, all while sipping delightful wines.
Purchase your souvenir glass for just $15 … it’s not only your ticket to taste all the wines on offer at all the participating wineries, it’s a great way of helping a local community group, CFA or SES with well over $30,000 raised since 2009 from the sale of glasses.
There will be plenty of food on offer and moderately priced at all the wineries during the course of the day, you only have to decide where, when and what you want to eat.
Once you are in the Yarra Valley you can use the map to pinpoint the wineries you would like to visit, so why not tempt yourself, your family and friends and come to the Yarra Valley and enjoy the Shedfest Wine Festival.
For details visit www.yarravalleysmallerwineries.com.au/events/shedfest-2017
