Geelong & Bellarine on Melbourne Food & Wine Festival Calendar
- Written by Narelle Needham
Geelong and The Bellarine is fast becoming a foodie hotspot for gourmands seeking exceptional food and wine experiences in regional Victoria. Events in the region feature strongly on the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival calendar, from longest lunches to dining on a train and edible tours, there is plenty to do in the region during the festival, from 31 March to 9 April.
Friday 31 March
Regional Worlds Longest Lunch Queenscliff – The boardwalk will set the scene for four courses of food beside the seaside at Queenscliff Harbour. Four courses of local Bellarine produce, prepared by top local restaurants and chefs matched with wines from nearby vineyards. Celebrate the Bellarine with good food, good wine, good company and by the seaside.
When: midday – 4pm
Price: $123
Where: Queenscliff Harbour, Queenscliff
Regional Worlds Longest Lunch Inverleigh – Relax and savour some of the Moorabool Valley's best produce over three sumptuous courses in a marquee set in the picturesque grounds of Gladioli Restaurant. Live music will be playing and public transport to and from Geelong is available on request for $20 per person.
When: midday – 4pm
Price: $110
Where: Gladioli, Inverleigh
Regional Worlds Longest Lunch Bellarine – Discover some of Port Phillip Bay's finest produce, wines, beers and ciders when chefs from Bellarine Estate team up with students from Faith Kitchen to present a four-course seafood extravaganza. Event proceeds got to local youth charity Ten02 Incorporated.
When: midday – 4pm
Price: $128
Where: Bellarine Estate
Saturday 1 April
Tastes of the Trail – Savour the flavours of unique and award winning producers of The Bellarine Taste Trail which will be brought to life by the team from Annie's Kitchen. The four-course lunch presented by Barwon Heads Winestore includes a selection of matched wines with each course and live jazz to while away the afternoon
When: 12.30 – 4pm
Price: $127
Where: Barwon Heads Hall, Barwon Heads
Sunday 2 April
Bellarine Bounty: Tomato Celebration and Seaside Lunch – With the tomato as the hero, tuck into seasonal grazing platters followed by a shared banquet with wild-fermented wines complementing both courses. Enjoy a guided tour through Basil Farms' Swan Bay edible garden while taking in spectacular views across the vineyard and Swan Bay.
When: 11am – 3pm
Price: $98
Where: Basils Farm, Swan Bay
Thursday 6 and Friday 7 April
Canvas to Plate – Geelong Gallery invite you to a moving feast inspired by works of art. Dine on locally sourced fare as you venture around the gallery viewing works from McCubbin, Nolan and von Guerard with Director Jason Smith. Dinner will be served in three separate gallery spaces and provides a rare opportunity to get up close to some of the most significant artworks on display in public collections
When: from 7pm
Price: $118- $133
Where: Geelong Gallery, Geelong
Friday 7 April
The 10K Gourmet - Celebrating the Bellarine Peninsula's rich and diverse bounty, every bit of food and every drop of wine will be grown or crafted within 10km of Jack Rabbit Vineyard. sensational, sustainable dining experience. Enjoy fresh caught seafood, succulent lamb and goats cheese matched to the wineries cool climate wines.
When: 7-11pm
Price: $120
Where: Jack Rabbit Vineyard, Bellarine
Friday 7 April
Pigs do Fly – This is the ultimate pork experience with the dinner celebrating all things pork (free range of course) and its ideal pairing with cider. Canapes and a four-course meal will be prepared by Executive chef Dwayne Bourke matched with Yes said the Seal wines and 100% natural Flying Brick Craft Ciders.
When: 7-11pm
Price: $113
Where: Flying Brick Cider, Wallington
Saturday 8 April
Heritage and Heirloom on a Plate – This is an edible tour through the Werribee Park Orchard with horticulturalist Craig Castree showcasing heritage produce from the historic Werribee Park Orchard. The bespoke three-course menu designed around local produce is matched with boutique wines.
When: 12.30 – 3.30pm
Price: $90
Where: The Refectory, Werribee Park, Werribee South
Saturday 8 April and Sunday 9 April
Wine Dine Train – Tour the Oakdene Vineyard aboard a three carriage train and take in the unique art works and gardens that epitomise this eclectic winery. Enjoy wine tastings along the train tour amongst the vines and then move indoors for an exquisite three-course lunch.
When: 11.30,12.30 and 1.30 both days
Price: $62
Where: Marty @ Oakdene, Wallington
To view more information on these events visit www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/program/location/geelong&bellarine