GUEST BLOGGER: Amanda McInerney from Lambs Ears and Honey
As the new year gets underway in Adelaide, those in the know understand that it’s time to get into shape. Everyone needs to be in tip-top condition for the busiest months in the local social calendar, as South Australia frocks up for the Festival season of February and March. Just to get everyone in the mood, the Adelaide Hills Wine Region likes to start the ball rolling with Crush Festival, 22-24 January 2016.
Crush is an annual summer Adelaide Hills wine and food festival that is so much more than the sum of its parts. Sure, Crush celebrates the delicious cool-climate wine made throughout the region and the exceptional local artisan food and fresh produce, but the festival is also a celebration of the best things about life in the Hills. And as the long summer days warm up, the wise among us head for the cool shade and the refreshing breezes of the Adelaide Hills vineyards.
This year Crush is better than ever with 43 cellar door events at 41 different wineries. The range of events is impressive and covers everything from wood oven pizzas, long table events, Flamenco dancing and a street art competition. Wine lovers can kick back with some oysters and a glass of wine while listening to some jazz at Lobethal Road Wines or enjoy a taste of France in the themed restaurant setting at ArtWine.
They might prefer the all day breakfast at Ngeringa, the kids activities and golf challenge at Sidewood Wines, Flamenco dancers at Robert Johnson Vineyards in Lobethal or Shakespeare in the Vines at Deviation Road Winery – there really is something for everyone. You can download the full Crush Festival program here, but be prepared to agonize – it’s going to be tricky to make choices with a selection as good as this. Also – note that some of the events are ticketed and so will have to be booked beforehand if you don’t want to miss out.