By Rama Gaind.
Meet ‘passionate producers, creative craftsmen’ over the October long weekend in Murrumbateman, NSW.
Visiting or living in country NSW, near the nation’s capital, has many benefits, and one of them is laughter being the brightest in the place where there is food – and wine. That will certainly be the case over the October long weekend in Murrumbateman.
A former gold mining town, Murrumbateman is a hub for award-winning cool climate wines and delicious local produce. Even though the annual Murrumbateman Moving Feast has been cancelled for 2020 due to COVID-19, a number of venues will be operating across the long weekend from 3-5 October, with a range of various offerings that suit their individual capacity and circumstances.
The event has grown enormously since 2006, showcasing the region’s finest wines, fresh local produce and artisan products. On the doorstep of the nation’s capital, this event has always been a unique opportunity for locals and visitors to explore the area, and meet the passionate business operators who have established their backyard as home to some of the world’s best wines and products.
Murrumbateman Winery is a boutique winery located at 131 McIntosh Circuit.
This feast for the senses is about ‘passionate producers, creative craftsmen’. Tantalise your tastebuds with a roving degustation of delicious food and wine from the Canberra Wine Region. Here are some highlights to whet the appetite.
Canberra Winery Tours invite want you to enjoy and experience a wine tour to remember, with comfort, extensive knowledge and great food!
Try Vino & Co Tours, a series of educational yet fun and relaxing winery tours, that centre on the vines, wines and unique tastes from the Canberra cool climate wine region.
A number of tour operators can provide buses to take you around the wineries. Enjoy a fun-filled day travelling in your own personal Mercedes MPV, Custom Mercedes Sprinter or Stretched Hummer Limousine with a dedicated chauffeur who has knowledge of the local area. Those wanting a bus service are encouraged to make direct contact. Let Explorer Buses Canberra plan your day including a selection of wineries with lunch included or tailor your own tour.
Other activities
Blackwattle Alpaca Farm, 315 Patemans Lane: book an Alpaca Meet and Greet Tour and learn about alpacas and farm life. Located 25 minutes from Canberra, the farm is an ideal location for a day trip. Surrounded by wineries and views of the Brindabella Ranges, the farm offers picturesque views and is a novel location to learn about alpacas, their luxury fibre and the beautiful products they can produce. Gain an insight into farming alpacas in Australia from this working alpaca farm.
You will get an insight into farming alpacas when you visit Blackwattle Alpaca Farm.
Granitevale Estate: ‘Traditional by the bottle. Personality by the glass’ is the motto here. Granitevale challenges the belief that wineries are often dull and do not offer welcoming environments. Owner Greg Birch is said to learn from the best, then make it his own. One outcome is the region’s first ice wine made from a red grape variety. Try it.
Murrumbateman Winery: established in 1973, it is one of the oldest vineyards of the area. This boutique winery produces outstanding award-winning wines that capture the true essence and character of this cool climate region. Over the October long weekend Mollie invites you to celebrate the launch of her 2019 Mollie’s Block Fumé Blanc. Enjoy a day out in the fresh air.
Robyn Rowe Chocolates, 1153 Nanima Road: ‘Life is short – Make it Sweet’ so Robyn will launch Choctober over the weekend with delicious chocolate desserts with varying flavours. Hand-crafted using traditional European methods, these moreish delicacies are filled with only the freshest ingredients and contain no artificial colourings, flavourings or preservatives.
Granitevale Estate is located at 153 Magennis Drive, Murrumbateman.
If you plan to visit the Murrumbateman area this long weekend, then contact the individual businesses first in order to establish what is being offered and the restrictions that may apply to any specific venue.
Just 30km north-west of Canberra, this is part of the Yass Valley Shire with wineries now achieving acclaim on Australian and international tables. Every cellar door provides a different and exciting experience.
Make it music Monday on 5 October as you drop into participating venues, relish delectable food, taste wonderful local wines and enjoy a variety of great melodies.
Why not heed the advice of Italian operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti: “One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.”
Bon appétit!
DETAILS BOX
The Makers of Murrumbateman
3-5 October 2020
W: www.makersofmurrumbateman.org.au
