The 2023 Clare Valley SCA Gourmet Week (Gourmet Week) kicks off next Friday with a full 10 day program, boasting more than 80 events across 35 venues – and it’s not too late to get amongst it and breathe it in!
Event organiser, Belinda Heinrich of Clare Valley Wine & Grape Association said this year is set to be bigger and better than ever, with even more on offer to immerse yourself in this stunning wine region.
“The response to this year’s program has been terrific. This is our largest program to date with venues reporting huge increases on tickets sales and nearly half of the events already sold out but, there are still must-attend events on offer.
“With improved roads, we are now only 1.45 hours from Adelaide, so you can make a day of it or stay for the night or lock in the whole week,” Belinda said.
Set in one of the country’s most quintessentially Australian wine regions, this event turns the spotlight on: spectacular and award-winning local wines and produce; profiles celebrated chefs from across Australia; and features a diverse entertainment line-up not to be missed.
Whether you’re after a one-day experience or can make a weekend or week of it, the 10-day festival can be enjoyed in three parts; Festival Weekend (19-21 May), Breathe It In (22-26 May) and Land of the Long Lunch (27-28 May).
From 19-21 May, the Festival Weekend holds true to the roots of the festival as the region’s favourite cellar doors and restaurants open up with something for everyone. Mitchell Wines is particularly proud to welcome chef Duncan Welgemoed as he unearths his innovative, sophisticated, South African heritage-inspired cooking style in Clare for the first time ever, matched with the cool tunes from Driller Jet Armstrong. Over the (Seven) hill, Pikes is throwing a Paella Party on the lawns, bringing back the popular oyster shucking station from Pacific Estate Oysters. Want more oysters – don’t miss the Riesling and Oyster Bar at Knappstein Wines!
Next up, Breathe It In runs 22-26 May as the festival’s prime opportunity to be fully immersed in the unique beauty of the region. The middle of the week offers beautiful experiences that focus on slowing down to appreciate and learn more about the food, wine and landscape. Sevenhill Cellars’ jam-packed mid-week schedule features a guided tour of their 100 year-old vineyard and underground cellar as well as opportunities to soak up the surrounds with yoga and art classes. Entice your taste buds with Wines from the Soul, Twilight Tasting with Matriarach and Rogue and Wines by KT and taste classic Clare Valley styles along with emerging varietals. As a very special Gourmet bonus, many cellar doors are uniting to open up back vintage and hard-to-find wines throughout the week.
To close out the festival over 27-28 May, Land of the Long Lunch is your sign to clear your diary and settle in for an unrivalled afternoon of fabulous food, world-class wine and cracking conversation. Tables upon tables will be set across the Valley as chefs and their teams prepare feasts for the masses. For the second time, Terroir Auburn presents the ultimate wine-loving duo, Nick Ryan and Nick Stock, for Nick Off Take Two. Chef Dan Moss accompanies The Nicks to provide an insatiable lunch, lots of laughter and an unforgettable Gourmet experience.
One of the most exciting new events to the program is the Wendouree Degustation dinner at the Watervale Hotel which will give the lucky 20 guests unrivalled access to these coveted wines. Indulge in all things Italian with the Ragu & Co x Kilikanoon Long Lunch over four delicious dishes matched with Kilikanoon wines. Arkhé legend, Jake Kellie will also be cooking over fire with Jim Barry Wines in their spectacular vineyard ‘Armagh Hut’. Kellie went on to say that Gourmet Week is a highlight on his annual calendar.
“This will be my third year cooking at The Armagh Hut and I can’t wait. It’s one of my favourite events of the year,” he said.
Finish off the weekend with the Burning of the Barrels at Eldredge Wines –with live music and good vibes, keep yourself warm by the fire pit as you watch the sunset over the vineyards. The Land of the Long Lunch takes place in unique locations and well-loved venues. Long lunches will be presented in collaboration with restaurants and local and interstate food personalities, showcasing the very best regional produce and wine.
Belinda said, “The calibre of talent preparing food this year is unprecedented. Paired with some of the very best wine in the world, the week is set to be a genuine delight for the senses.”
Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said: “As we celebrate the Clare Valley SCA Gourmet Week’s 39th year, it makes it the nation’s first and longest running food and wine event of its kind. We know last year’s 10-day event welcomed more than 8,500 attendees to the Clare Valley, pumping over $2.3 million into the local economy, and this year is only set to be bigger and better as over 80 events showcase the region’s world-renowned food, places and of course, wine.”
“The gourmet week highlights all of the wonderful things that make Clare Valley a tourism gem of South Australia, and helps demonstrate why the region celebrated a whopping $152 million spent by visitors in 2022 – well up on its 2025 target of $132 million,” Minister Bettison said.
Everyone’s safety is of paramount importance, so to support the growing program and expected increase in attendees, more buses will be transporting festival-goers from the metro area (just an hour and 40 minutes to Clare) and shuttling around the region.
In addition, updated website functionality now allows users to select all the events of their choice and produce an itinerary to ensure you get the most out of your Clare culinary adventure. Organisers recommend planning ahead, checking shuttle bus destinations and booking tables early to avoid disappointment.
Clare Valley SCA Gourmet Week is presented by the Clare Valley Wine & Grape Association who started the event in 1985. This event would not be possible without the generous support: of principal partner, Southern Cross Austereo (SCA); major event partner, the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC); supporting event partner, Clare Valley Gilbert Valleys Council; with support from our corporate friends, Link SA, Honeycomb.design, RAA, Blis Web Agency and littlelion PR.
Tickets are on sale. Gourmet Week starts on Friday 19 May and will run for ten days, finishing on Sunday 28 May. Featuring ticketed and free events, wine lovers and foodies alike are encouraged to book their experience via clarevalleygourmet.com.au.
