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The Tasting Australia Festival comes to McLaren Vale
The Tasting Australia festival (which began in 1997) is a showcase of all things South Australian: people, produce and place. Each autumn the festival invites audiences to step beyond a standard food festival and discover deliciously different experiences that feed their curiosity. Indulgent lunches with friends, boutique beverages and menus created by world-class chefs are just a taste.
This year the festival runs from 2nd–11th May and McLaren Vale is delighted to host to a number of culinary events with the opportunity to wine and dine at some of the region’s premium venues. Excitingly for the region The Salopian Inn’s own Karena Armstrong is one of the Festival Directors.
Here’s a snapshot of some of the events in the region:
Candyland – Sweet Secrets of the Land Down Under
Dates: Friday, May 2, to Saturday, May 10, 2025
Location: Bec Hardy Wines, McLaren Vale
Get ready for Candyland: Sweet Secrets of the Land Down Under at Bec Hardy Wines – a cheeky, sweet-filled celebration putting a fun spin on Australia’s native flavours. Chef Connor Bishop is whipping up desserts that bring the best of local ingredients to life, all with a dash of creativity and a whole lot of flair. Set against the stunning vineyards of McLaren Vale, you’ll be sipping fine wines and diving into desserts that are as bold and beautiful as the land itself. This isn’t simply another food event; it’s a laid-back gathering where the flavours are wild, the atmosphere is easy-going and every dish is a little slice of Aussie magic. Whether you’re a sweet tooth or just love a good time, Candyland is all about enjoying the best of what the land down under has to offer. So come along, relax and get ready for a fair dinkum treat that’s as fun as it is delicious!
A Love Letter to Italy: Pasta-making with Down The Rabbit Hole Wines
Dates: Saturday, May 3, and Saturday, May 10, 2025
Location: Down The Rabbit Hole Wines, McLaren Vale
Time waits for no one – but sometimes it slows down. McLaren Vale’s Down the Rabbit Hole Wines will host this evening of sensory delight, culinary indulgence and community spirit. Begin the experience with a sunset wander through the winery’s vegetable garden with a chilled glass of blanc de blancs and grazing table snacks on hand. Owner Domenic Palumbo and Fiore executive chef Nick Tadija will discuss their passion for creating innovative yet wholesome Italian cuisine featuring the very best ingredients available, together with the story of Down the Rabbit Hole’s organic and biodynamic wine. A pasta-making workshop led by Tadija and his team is next. Learn how to make this staple from scratch, then move into the winery’s Fiore restaurant for a long-table dinner where the emphasis is on good company and indulgence over a spectacular shared meal of pasta, sides and dessert made with seasonal local produce.
Hickinbotham x Mayura Station
Date: Saturday 10 May 2025
Location: Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard, Clarendon
A unique Clarendon venue nestled among historic vines will turn exclusive pop-up restaurant hosting Mayura Station for a four-course long lunch. Step inside the Hickinbotham Guest House – normally closed to the public and surrounded by the Clarendon Vineyard – for an unforgettable feast highlighting Hickinbotham wines and premium Mayura Station wagyu. Hickinbotham winemaker Chris Carpenter will host the decadent meal, sharing insights into his craft alongside Mayura Station head chef Mark Wright. Each course is set to be paired with wines from the organic and biodynamic Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard, with a focus on elegant and robust Bordeaux varieties. Bus transfers from the Tasting Australia Town Square are included in this culinary and wine adventure.
Argentinian Culinary Traditions Meet South Australia's Wine Heritage
Date: Sunday, May 11, 2025
Location: Kay Brothers Winery, McLaren Vale
The delicious diversity of South American fare will feature in this fresh new collaboration. Join award-winning chef Argentinian chef Martin Molteni and A Prayer for the Wild at Heart head chef Stephane Brizard for lunch at Kay Brothers Winery in McLaren Vale. Settle in for succulent meats cooked over coals in the asador, together with fresh crusty loaves, Argentinian sweets, acclaimed local wine and live music. It’s a day for the whole family. Molteni, multi award winning chef (Latin America) for his restaurant Purra Tierra and now group executive chef for Chile’s exclusive Tierra Hotel Group will celebrate the rich culinary and festive traditions of his homeland in a uniquely South Australian setting. Kay Brothers was established in 1890 and is known for the small batch wines handcrafted in its heritage-listed winery. Be there as it hosts this Tasting Australia exclusive: a nod to culinary and agricultural tradition from two dynamic sources.
South Australian Harvest: A Culinary Celebration of Local Excellence
Date: Friday, May 9, 2025 | 6PM
Location: Vale Restaurant and Bar, McLaren Flat
Gather at McLaren Flat’s Vale Restaurant and Bar for a dinner highlighting South Australian excellence. Meet the producers behind premium ingredients including Mayura Station wagyu, Monapilla Estate lamb, Spencer Gulf kingfish, Grandax blue swimmer crab and Choice mushrooms set to feature in the meal. Savour a true culinary celebration across five decadent courses paired with beverages from a selection of standout labels, among them Beresford Wines, Bickfords, 23rd Street Distillery and Vale Brewing.
These Tasting Australia 2025 events offer a tapestry of culinary experiences, highlight the vibrant food and wine culture of the McLaren Vale wine region and the Fleurieu Peninsula.
For more details about the Festival and to book tickets please click here.
