January 2011

Run for the Hills

Discover your crush at this year’s Crush Wine and Food Festival at Adelaide Hills

Run for the Hills

WORDS ROBERTA MUIR

The producers of the Adelaide Hills, one of Australia’s most picturesque and interesting wine regions, are holding their eighth annual Crush Wine and Food Festival from 2 to 30 January.

There’s a host of special events, tastings and master classes in over 30 locations, including some exciting highlights on Saturday, 29 January. Howard Vineyard’s “Flights and Bites” is a series of food and wine pairings, from cabernet franc rosé with balsamic-glazed strawberries, to crisp sauvignon blanc with flying fish roe. Sinclair’s Gully twilight tasting of “Oysters and Fizz” features Pacific oysters from Franklin Harbour on the Eyre Peninsula, matched with a classic sparkling blend of pinot noir and chardonnay wine. Meanwhile, chef Jeffrey Gebler from Bistro 25 in Hahndorf will be presenting a three-course regional garden luncheon matched with wines from Barratt Wines.

The festival culminates on Sunday, 30 January, with special food and wine offerings (plus great live music) at wineries scattered across the Hills from Birdwood to Willunga. Bird in Hand at Woodside will serve up slow- cooked saltbush lamb yiros, hot dogs and ice cream, alongside barrel tastings, music by DJ Madness and a jumping castle for the kids. Near Lobethal, Chain of Ponds has an all-day barbecue, tutored wine tastings, live music by Soul Trader and Colonel Mustard, and story readings by children’s author Katrina Germein. At Nepenthe in Balhannah, check out cooking demonstrations and food by Sticky Rice Cooking School, gelati from local specialists Cocolat, and wines available by the glass.

Also on Sunday, local winemakers, including Darryl Catlin of Shaw + Smith, Michael Sykes from Lodestone Winery, and Penny Jones from Petaluma, will present a series of wine master classes at The Locavore in Stirling (AU$20; pay on the day).

Darryl Catlin says of the festival: “Crush to me is about discovery, fun, education and family. In the ‘Discover More’ master classes, we showcase the diversity of our region — including some of the winners from the recent Adelaide Hills Wine Show. It helps people understand Adelaide Hills’ wine and what’s great about it. Crush is also a fun family day out, with many of the wineries making it a picnic day with food and fun family events.”

To see the full program of Crush’s events, go to www.crushfestival.com.au

Marching On

Sign up for a Johnnie Walker Tasting session at one of 24 bars around the country, and explore the rich history of whisky. These two-hour education and tasting sessions hosted by a brand ambassador start with a whisky cocktail. Participants then earn how to “nose” whisky to discover the nuances of Irish, Canadian and American whiskies, and how to tell the difference between single malts and blends. An interactive mixology lesson is the final step, giving participants a chance to whip up their own whisky cocktail. Visit www.johnniewalker.com.au

Sydney
• Raval – 18 January, 15 February, 15 March  
• Verandah Bar – 1 February

Melbourne
• Long Room – 20 January, 2 March  
• Exchange Port Melbourne – 24 February  
• Imperial Hotel – 27 January  
• Galley Room – 8 February  
• Baden Powell Hotel – 25 January, 22 February

Adelaide
• The Lakes Resort – 4 and 17 February  
• General Havelock – 25 January

Perth
• Burswood – 16 February, 23 March  
• Tiger Lils – 15 February  
• The Flying Scotsman – 14 February

Brisbane
• Port Office Hotel – 9 February, 9 March  
• Story Bridge Hotel – 19 January, 23 February, 30 March






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