Your Passport to Interesting Food & Wine

In April, Adelaide will have its very own food and wine festival, brought to us by Winemakers Without Borders.

They sound pretty altruistic, right?

They’re a group of like-minded winemakers conspiring to create unique events that challenge our perception about wine. Winemakers Without Borders is a collaboration of people from familiar labels like Yalumba and Wirra Wirra, with a splash of those hip up-and-comers like Alpha Box & Dice.

Describing themselves as being about exciting food, wine pairings and fun, as well as providing us with an ‘interesting passport to wine’, they celebrate emerging varieties including wines made in an unusual or progressive way.

Heckler spoke to Amanda Pritchard, the organiser of the festival and creator of Winemakers Without Borders, asking her how she sees the Adelaide Food and Wine Festival and it’s some-twenty festival events making an impact in SA…

“Well, it’s a week-long program of events in South Australia held at beachside settings and city lane-ways to shearing sheds and dining tables in the furthest corners of the state and beyond. We’ll bring the regions to the city and the city to the sticks – all with a focus on our people and produce.”

What have you tried to bring to the table that’s innovative in food and wine?

“We want everything about the festival to scream “unique and original” there’ll be one off collaborations, first-time-ever events and everything will be done with a sense of fun.”

What experiences have you had (or what events have you been to previously) that gave you inspiration?

“All the events that Winemakers Without Borders have produced have really led to this festival as they are collaborative, fun and celebrate the people behind the great produce. I also worked for Melbourne Food & Wine Festival and think that some of their events like the World’s Longest Lunch at (the now defunct) cellar door at Southgate are fabulous experiences that people talk about for the rest of their lives. That’s what we need here in Adelaide. Not more things in exhibition centres.”

How long has it been in stages of development?

“It’s been five years of fermentation in my mind, conversations, conspirators and collaborations before deciding that the time was most definitely right.”

What are you hoping this festival will bring to Adelaide?

“Opportunities to celebrate our beautiful city and state. Vibrancy, fun and hopefully a lot of chatter that will just make it grow and prosper as a great festival.”

Heckler has a double pass to give away to the East End Wine Down on April 7. To win, write 25 words about your most interesting wine experience.

For a full program detailing how you can enjoy the Adelaide Food and Wine Festival, head to their website.