Drifting along the Barton, Murrumbateman looks just like any other small country town, with it’s rugged, unspoilt nature, it’s easy to forget that it is home to many internationally renowned vineyards.
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The Moving Feast Festival is set to begin this October long weekend, encouraging people from all walks to attend, and reminding locals that sometimes it’s OK to be a tourist in your own backyard.
Every year the regions finest wines are matched with fresh local produce, prepared as a ‘signature dish’ at each of the 15 Murrumbateman wineries and matched with a glass of the winery’s ‘signature wine’. Each main is $20 and desserts are $15, and you can even keep your glass as a souvenir.
Owner of Gallagher Wines in Murrumbateman, Greg Gallagher, said that he is excited about this year's festival, expecting the turnout to be the best they have had since the festival's 2006 inception.
“It all grew from some of the local winery owners, we were looking around and seeing how beautiful spring was in this area. Someone said, ‘the vines are moving, we should really do something,’ so both the name and festival were born at the same time. The organisation is now called the Makers of Murrumbateman,” Mr Gallagher said.
“We have people coming from all over the local regions, from Sydney, Wollongong, the South Coast, west to Wagga and the surrounding areas.”
Bill Crowe owner of Four Winds Vineyard and president of the Makers of Murrumbateman organisation said that attendance has grown 60 per cent over the past four years.
“Wine is really another food item. Like us, people can appreciate that the best way to experience wine is with great food, which really allows us to have some fun. We are able to pair our wine with food, and share our passion that way,” Mr Crowe said.
“The event really has a unique atmosphere, with a great festival feel.”
A dream weekend for wine connoisseurs and food fanatics, the Makers of Murrumbateman have created links through to the local bus companies and encourage people to phone the local services for information about transportation.
The major sponsor of the feast is the Tradies Club Canberra, which also serves a wide range of Canberra District wines at their clubs.
There are no bookings, guests are required to just turn up and enjoy the beautiful weather and nature's dramatic spring colours. When it comes to wine, Murrumbateman seems like a country all of its own.
