The Murrumbateman Moving Feast is back again for 2019, and the region is set for an October long weekend that’s jam-packed with food and wine.
A ‘roving degustation’, wineries and other producers in the Murrumbateman region will throw open their doors for the weekend, serving up a savoury ($25) and a sweet dish ($20), paired with their wines – and you get to keep the glass!
Now in its 13th year, the event is organised and run by the Makers of Murrumbateman, a group of makers and producers from the Murrumbateman Village and region. Makers of Murrumbateman President Wendy O’Dea says the weekend is now a well-established food and wine event, where people plan their own itineraries for the day.
“It’s probably the biggest wine event in the region, and it’s now got a life of its own. People now put it in their diaries and come back year after year – it’s just what they do on the October long weekend.”
Wendy and husband Michael O’Dea also own Dionysus Winery in Murrumbateman, and have been preparing for the influx of people over the Moving Feast weekend.
“In previous years, over the whole weekend across the region, we probably get round about 10,000 people or so. It’s a really busy weekend, but we all manage to cope so that everyone can still get served,” she smiles.
She says the Makers of Murrumbateman all work to support one another to ensure the Moving Feast, and their regular operations, are all a success. She says Murrumbateman is a “real community” where people get in and help each other out.
“We moved out here in ‘96 to join the industry; I wasn’t expecting to be welcomed with such open arms and supported. It’s great; we have a philosophy: if we all work together, we’ll all be successful, whereas if we work against each other, no one’s going to be successful.”
She says her favourite part of the weekend is exposing guests to the cellar door experience, and the process of winemaking.
“So the feast will bring them out for the food and wine, but then they realise that visiting a winery cellar door is actually a fun thing to do and then they’ll come back later in the year.
“I’d like to say my favourite part is eating the leftovers, but we don’t get any!”
The Murrumbateman Moving Feast will be held on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October, at participating venues in the Murrumbateman Region. For more information and to plan your food and wine itinerary, visit makersofmurrumbateman.org.au
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