Melbourne Food and Wine Festival visits the Grampians

by Kirsty Baker

Food and wine lovers came together underground at Great Western on Saturday for the Melbourne Food & Wine Festivals “Longest Underground Lunch” - a feast, showcasing the Grampians regions amazing produce and award winning wines. Seppelt Wines, home of the largest underground cellars in the Southern Hemisphere became a hive of guests, mostly from Melbourne, who travelled to Great Western to take part of the event. “We were absolutely wrapped with the response we had to becoming a part of the Melbourne Food and Wine festival, and ecstatic to bring the event to the Grampians. Some of the best wines in Australia are produced right here in the Grampians, and paired with a sensational menu and in a truly unique environment, it was bound to be a success. “ reports Danial Ahchow, Managing Director of Great Western Enterprises who manage Seppelt Wines in Great Western.


The director of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Zenon Misko travelled to Great Western and joined guests at the lunch.  “Great Western is fast getting a reputation of being the next destination dining experience. The underground cellars are truly amazing, the history, the wine and the food, all an exceptional experience. We can’t wait to return.”Guests were treated to a three course lunch that showcased some of the Grampians regions most amazing produce, paired perfectly with Seppelt Wines. Renowned local Chef Katie Leeke impressed the guests with her dishes which included Galician octopus, Barramundi, lamb with Mount Zero lentils and bittersweet chocolate tart which was paired perfectly with Seppelt Sparkling Shiraz.“We are very keen to host the event again next year for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, we have over 3 kilometres of Drives to fill. The event will just get bigger every year.” said Mr. Ahchow


Seppelt Wines has been a part of the Great Western landscape since the mid 1800’s and are the biggest producers of wine in the Grampians Region.  There has been a buzz of activity at the Seppelt processing plant over the last few weeks as fruit processing began back at Great Western this vintage.  Seppelt Wine is open to the public 7 days a week and tours into the underground cellars depart every hour from 11am until 3pm. Collage