Wine Unearthed is a brand new podcast series which explores the lauded Margaret River region. It gets beneath the region’s skin and helps listeners understand why Lonely Planet named this special part of Western Australia as its top destination in the Asia Pacific for 2019.

The free-to-listen series reveals how wine connects to Aboriginal custodians, big wave surfers and mountain bikers, shares local love stories that have led to surprising collaborations, investigates family dynamics, celebrity interactions and the human instinct to succeed, and looks at the pivotal role the area’s extraordinary natural environment plays. Led by food and wine journalist, Fleur Bainger, and joined by wine connoisseur and author, Peter Forrestal, the stories focus on the locals who live and breathe winemaking every day in the much-loved South-West region of Australia.

Ms. Bainger says story telling with audio moves listeners in a way print, television and online can’t. “By purely listening, you sense a person’s feelings – be it passion or pain, laughter or tears – you hear their characterful personalities, and even detect their physical movements. To me, it’s so powerful.”
“The sounds of Margaret River itself create really rich mind pictures. The crash of waves, the snap of vines, the wind rushing through tall, native trees and the glug of wine being poured are all incredibly evocative. If I close my eyes, I’m right back there, capturing them all with a microphone in hand” Ms Bainger says.

In the podcasts, listeners learn that wine isn’t just about flavours, varietals, and food-pairing. It’s about the blood, sweat and tears that go into every vintage season, and the broader landscape surrounding that perfect drop. The factors making Margaret River a unique location for growing grapes is also explored.

Peter Forrestal said the podcasts are a ‘revelation’ and unleash so much information about Margaret River, most of which is unknown and fascinating. “This is Margaret River upclose and unearthed: it as though the surface about what we know about the region has been scraped away to uncover unexpected depths. It doesn’t matter how much or how little you know about the region, these podcasts will hold your attention. And be a cause of delight”

Guests are invited to design their own foodie adventure at Western Australia Gourmet Escape presented by Westpac with a range of mouth-watering new culinary experiences just announced.

From a four-course dinner with Pierre Koffmann at Bistro Guillaume or a Momofuku collaboration at the two-hatted Yarri Restaurant, to a “hardcore carnivore” feast over fire, or a meet-and-greet (over wine) with Marco Pierre White, there’s something on the menu for everyone.

The eight new events announced today include:

We’re taking Gourmet Escape on the road to Melbourne giving you the possibility to experience the essence of the extraordinary festival of food and drink, before it takes place in Western Australia this November.

Journey to Gourmet Escape is your “entrée” to what’s planned in our amazing 2019 festival program!

Join renowned Australian chef Scott Pickett, Gage Roads, a WA red meat farmer and legendary host Sofia Levin for an evening celebrating the glorious produce from Western Australia. 

Father’s day is around the corner and we’ve got THE guide to help you find the perfect gourmet gift for Dad to Western Australia Gourmet Escape presented by Westpac (8-17 November)! 

Book your dad the ultimate escape to Western Australia with events that cater to every type of dad. From your foodie dad to your wine connoisseur, BBQ enthusiast or the music buff, check out the recommended events below. 

The Whole Package