Wendy O’Dea is the owner of one of the wineries opening their doors this long weekend for those with hungry stomachs. Photo: Michael O’Dea.
Full stomachs and belly laughs will be the main goals when a two–day food and wine event presents the menu for another year.
Owner of Dionysus Winery Wendy O’Dea said the return of the Murrumbateman Moving Feast for 2023 showed the resilience of the region’s producers.
“This year, we’ve been rebuilding after the COVID lockdowns, and in this area, we’ve had a few hard years with rain and hail,” she said.
“It’s been a challenge, but it’s weekends like this that you forget all those challenges when you see people enjoying the product.”
The Murrumbateman Moving Feast sees each participating venue cook a signature dish that is paired with a beverage.
“We work as a group,” she said.
“It’s such a wonderful opportunity for our local businesses to show what we’ve got.
“And what is better than visiting 13 different venues and having food, wine, mead or chocolate?”
Ms O’Dea said there would be many offerings to suit every palate this year.
“We make sure there’s a range of things, so this year there is beef, duck, scallops and vegetarian dishes,” she said.
“But this is a great opportunity to show how the wines match with food.”
Participants will also be able to keep a complimentary Riedel wine glass.
Alongside Dionysus Winery, Barton Estate, Four Winds Vineyard, Gallagher Wines, Granitevale Estate, Jeir Creek Winery, McKellar Ridge Wines, Murrumbateman Winery, Tallagandra Hill Winery, Yarrh Wines and Vineyard 1207 will also be opening their doors.
Wins Creek Meadery will also be participating – but not with wine.
“They’ll be matching their food with mead – which is made from honey – and craft beer that they make,” Ms O’Dea said.
Those with a sweet tooth will welcome the news that Murrumbateman Chocolate Co will also be participating.
“They do a dessert tasting platter which looks absolutely amazing,” Ms O’Dea said.
“They’ve got their specialty chocolate milks on for the weekend, as well.”
Ms O’Dea said the feast attracted people from far and wide.
“We have a lot of locals bring visitors to show off their local industry and where they live,” she said.
“We have a lot of people who come from places like Sydney.”
The appeal went beyond the delicious food and beverages on offer, she said.
“I think that it is the energy around the feast, it’s vibe, that is exciting.
“I think that attracts people to the feast.”
Ms O’Dea said she was proud of how the event had grown over the years.
“I was back there, at the very beginning.
“I think the first of the Moving Feasts was back in 2006, where a group of the wineries got together and dreamt up this concept of having people move from cellar door to cellar door to try our food and wine.
“Since then, I love that this event has been so successful, and that it’s on people’s calendars each year.
“They know that on the October long weekend, they go to the Moving Feast.”
Ms O’Dea said the continued success was due to the quality of what Murrumbateman producers could provide.
“We’ve got customers who come here [to Murrumbateman] every year with their friends, and this is what they do on the October long weekend.
“I think that’s down to that consistency of our offerings, year on year.”
The Murrumbateman Moving Feast will be held on 30 September to 1 October, from 10 am to 4 pm.
The full menu is available online, with meals costing $30 and a dessert costing $20.
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