By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
MORE than 2000 people attended Warburton’s winery walkabout under the warm sunshine at this year’s Shedfest Wine Festival on the weekend.
In its 12th year, eight wineries along the Warburton Highway opened their sheds to the public for the annual festival held on the second weekend in October.
This year welcomed a new addition to the festival with Yarra Peaks in Hoddles Creek first involvement. Ticket prices for the annual event were increased this year, but owner and winemaker at Seville Hill, John D’aloisio said that didn’t deter people.
“There were a lot of families and children out in the warm weather and we were really happy with the turn out,” Mr D’aloisio said.
The southern side of the Yarra Valleys wineries offered a weekend of live music, food, entertainment, and world-class wine.
“We had games for the kids on the lawn, free coffee for designated drivers as well as our support for local CFAs with funds raised from the souvenir glasses going to the Hillcrest CFA,” Mr D’aloisio said.
The Shedfest’s support of local CFA’s over the past seven years has resulted in over $30,000 raised. The weekend event started at just five dollars a ticket and has grown tremendously over the past decade.
Seville Hill released new and old brews with the most popular on the day the 2011 sparkling merlot and chardonnay traditional method, to complement the warm weather, said Mr D’aloisio.
The relaxing weekend is sure to go ahead next year, bigger and better than ever.
