The Easter Break is just around the corner and with an extra-long weekend on offer, Coonawarra’s wineries are going that extra mile to fill the baskets and itineraries of visitors to the region, with a selection of unique experiences on offer.
From behind-the-scenes winery tours to chocolate and wine tastings, and pizza parties to waffles and wine, there’s something to appeal to all ages and tastes.
Heidi Guyett, Events and Marketing Manager at the Coonawarra Vignerons, is excited at the range of experiences being offered and has developed a go-to Easter Guide to display what’s on in the wine region (view the Easter Guide).
“Not only is wine tasting on the cards for Good Friday, but there are also several events, pop up food offerings and vintage tours being featured exclusively over the Easter long weekend.”
“On Good Friday, in particular, we have often found that options are limited in our region, especially on the food and wine front, due to the nature of the public holiday, which traditionally sees businesses close for this day of significance.”
“But given it is the start of a four-day weekend, and school holidays for our Victorian neighbours, we know that there are plenty of people venturing to the Limestone Coast for a short, or extended vacation, so it is important we give them options to enhance their stay” Guyett said.
Over a half a dozen cellar doors will be open for wine tastings on Good Friday 7th April, including Bellwether, Koonara, Leconfield Coonawarra, Patrick of Coonawarra, Raidis Estate, Redman, Rymill Coonawarra and Whistle Post Estate. View the Good Friday directory here.
Raidis Estate are well renowned in the region for hosting events, combining great food with fabulous wines and live music, and will once again be firing up the wood oven for ‘Pizza and Tunes’ on Good Friday, 7 April and on Easter Sunday 9 April.
Emma Raidis passionately believes things in life are better when shared and enjoys creating an environment for people to come together.
“What could be better than enjoying good wine and delicious food surrounded by family and friends?” Raidis says.
“We’ve got a spacious all-weather venue and secure lawn area packed with games and equipment for the kids and the young at heart to play with, and picnic rugs available to throw out under the shady trees.”
“We look forward to welcoming families to Coonawarra and treating them to a memorable afternoon out ” Raidis added.
If pizza is not your thing, Leconfield Coonawarra is partnering with ‘the Waffle Inn’ on Good Friday to serve up hot sweet and savoury waffles, whilst on Saturday 8th April Turkish Street Food will be on the menu at Katnook Estate with local food van ‘Turk-Bey’ making authentic Turkish Pide.
Scrumptious produce platters are also available at selected cellar doors across the region, and for those looking to long lunch, Ottelia Restaurant and Hollick Estates Upstairs Restaurant will be open on Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday to diners.
Coinciding with the grape harvest in Coonawarra, the Easter break also provides the opportunity for visitors to partake in and experience some of the sights of vintage.
At Rymill Coonawarra guests can get hands-on Sundays during April (including Easter Sunday) to hand-pick grapes. A 2 hour guided vineyard and winery tour is included in this ‘pick and snip’ session, an activity for all ages!
Another stand out event taking place across the weekend is a series of behind the scenes vintage tours at Redman Winery. The Redman family are one of the oldest winemaking families in the district and are inviting visitors to experience the sights, smells and tastes of vintage first hand. Tours are available daily over the easter long weekend and must be booked online in advance – limited spaces available.
Kids will also have the opportunity to keep the Easter festivities going at Bellwether, with “Maggie’s Easter Egg Hunt” planned on Sunday afternoon. Kicking off at 2pm families are invited to pop in for a tasting, while the kids explore the produce garden and winery grounds in the quest to find the hidden eggs.
Rounding out the weekend’s offerings, for those that haven’t had enough Easter goodness, are chocolate and wine tastings at Patrick of Coonawarra and Katnook Estate, and for a real taste of traditional easter, you can’t go past Parker Estate’s ‘Fancy Hot x Bun’s´ – a delicious and unique tasting experience pairing loaded hot cross buns with a wine offering.
And while you’re in the region, don’t forget to fill your baskets with a bottle or two of Coonawarra’s finest. If not from a Coonawarra’s Cellar Door, than from one of the many local retail outlets stocking Coonawarra wines.
For the full overview of what’s on in Coonawarra this Easter, view the Long weekend guide at www.coonwarra.org
