SEASONAL Harvest dinner and tours will launch off this year’s Apple and Grape Harvest Festival, which starts in and around the Granite Belt today.
Harvest Festival director Trevor Fitness said the events were a way to celebrate the region’s producers and the diversity of product on offer on the Granite Belt.
“We are really excited to introduce Seasonal Harvest to the mix of events on offer across the festival, offering visitors the opportunity to find out what it is like to be a farmer and how the seasons affect the harvest,” he said.
“Visitor and locals will be able to sample fruit and vegetables straight from the paddock, learn how this produce is turned into award winning products, and sample the ways fresh seasonal produce is served up by the region’s top chefs with some delectable harvest dinners,” he said.
“The festival has long been a celebration of harvest season, but this year we really wanted to get back to the core essence of the festival and reconnect the event back to the produce and producers,” Mr Fitness said.
Granite Belt Wine and Tourism Director of Marketing Sarah Reeves said “we are honoured to be working with the committee to develop Seasonal Harvest and offer visitors a reason to stay longer and learn about where their food comes from – all while sharing our passion for fresh seasonal produce.”
“The tours, dinners and sessions have all been specially crafted to showcase the diversity of the product currently in season, meeting colourful producers and pioneering winemakers along the way and creating gourmet menus that showcase regional heroes,” she said.
At the event, a special Seasonal Harvest marquee will run a mix of appreciation session including cheese and wine matching, cooking demonstrations and wine appreciation sessions.
Full and half day tours including harvest lunches and dinners can all be booked online through the Apple & Grape website at www.appleandgrape.org.
The first tour begin today and end on Monday 10 March, with the main festival on from the 7-9 March.
