Get set to feast on Victoria’s High Country

Posted on 3 May, 2019

Get set for a virtual tour of Victoria’s High Country’s best producers, chefs, winemakers and brewers this weekend, as HerCanberra CEO Amanda Whitley tours the mouthwatering, region-wide Feast Festival.

Three hours north east of Melbourne, bordered by the Australian Alps, Murray River and rolling river valleys to the south, lies a land of plenty. Victoria’s High Country has grown to become a premier Italian varietal wine producing region, especially renowned for Prosecco, Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese and Nebbiolo.

With good wine, comes great food and there’s no better way to explore the energy and passion of the region than Feast Festival.

Kicking off this weekend and running until 19 May, Feast Festival brings together 40 amazing culinary events which celebrate the Victorian High Country’s sensational produce, producers, chefs, makers and brewers in packed program of events which celebrates both the outstanding natural beauty of the mountains, valleys, vineyards and villages of the region and the talented folk who bring it to your table.

HerCanberra CEO will be eating her way across the region this weekend, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled on HerCanberra’s Instagram for all the deliciousness!

What not to miss

Highlights of this year’s Feast Festival program around the region include:

Patrizia’s Harvest Forage

Image: Emily Godfrey

Hosted by foodie royalty, Patrizia Simone, take an early morning walk around Bright foraging for ingredients for your lunch then get the lowdown from this celebrated High Country chef on how to turn your found produce into a five Italian course feast.

Runs on various dates throughout the festival – find out more here.

Fermentation Degustation

Image: Supplied

Bridge Road Brewers Beechworth founders Ben and Maria Kraus will host a four-course matched dinner with a difference on Friday 10 May, where fermentation is the hero of the night.

Each course made by and introduced by local experts: Louise Ritchie (Silver Creek Sourdough), Kimchi from Hatted chef, Michael Ryan (Provenance of Beechworth), incredible, authentic Austrian strudel from Maria Kraus and of course Ben’s own lovingly brewed beer.

Pedal + Taste

Image: Supplied

Organise some friends and join this leisurely cycling tour—you’ll meet local producers of wine, olives, cheese and more between Beechworth to Milawa on the gorgeous Murray to Mountains Rail Trail.

Starting and ending in Beechworth, lunch is at the Milawa Cheese Factory, with special tastings along the way—finishing with a private tasting at Brown Brothers. The riding is easy, with mainly off-road paths using the rail trail, covering 35km with plenty of stops.

Feast High Country’s Longest Lunch

Image: Supplied

Join Feathertop Winery, Bright Brewery, Mt Buffalo Olives, Wandiful Produce, The Peaks Cheese, and Ringer Reef Winery in a five-course matched degustation.

Sous chef Rob Clarkson of Feathertop Winery will once again work beside his mentor Patrizia Simone, with Feathertop’s head chef Simon Buckley and guest chef Doug Badrock of Bright Brewery to bring you an unforgettable culinary experience.

But wait…there’s more

Image: Georgie James

And that’s just for starters! Check out feasthighcountry.com.au for full details and make a cunning plan!

Amanda Whitley will travel to the Victorian High Country courtesy of Tourism North East.