Although domestic travel is picking up, there are still many of Australia’s best experiences which won’t be in full operation anytime soon. Once such as the Shortest Lunch in iconic Yarra Valley, an annual winter solstice event designed to take wine lovers on a gastronomical journey across the famed region. It won’t be happening this year, but that’s not stopping the event from moving online in a creative pivot to get more people involved.
Usually, 19 participating wineries come together to offer tastings and paired entrée-sized meals for the event. Attendees pay a nominal $15 fee for a glass and spend the day browsing these family-owned vineyards and wineries, all of whom put their best forward to showcase the great diversity the Yarra is known for.
In its 21st year, the Shortest Lunch has had to adapt and postpone their next physical event to 2021. This year, the organisers at not-for-profit organisation Yarra Valley Smaller Wineries Association (YVSWA) have worked hard to put together unique wine packs so guests can enjoy the festival from the comfort of their homes.
Each of the 19 participating wineries have contributed two bottles towards three different mixed dozen cases, delivered free across the country at a heavily reduced price. The association has curated 38 wines into three unique cases of a dozen, and a mixed-six. No two cases will have the same wines, and each case is a mix of both red and white, along with rose or sparkling varietals.
It’s also a great way to highlight Yarra Valley wineries that are found away from the region’s traditional thoroughfares, allowing more Aussies to get on board and sample the work of smaller winery owners and discover their new favourite. “There are normally around 80 wines on tasting ranging from traditional cool-climate varietals to Pet Nat’s and Sparkling wine, and for those smaller wineries, this is one of the most important weekends of the year in terms of building awareness,” said John D’Aloisio of Seville Hill Winery, part of the new expansion of the Yarra along with other wineries like Silvan, Chirnside Park, Seville, Healesville, Dixons Creek, Gruyere, Coldstream and Wonga Park.
Wineries contributing to these packs include:
- Billanook Estate
- Boat O’Craigo
- Elmswood Estate
- Five Oaks
- Kellybrook Winery
- Mandala Wines
- Oak Tree Vineyard
- Payne’s Rise
- Seville Estate
- Seville Hill
- Six Acres Wines
- Soumah
- Steels Creek Estate
- Steels Gate Wines
- Sutherland Estate
- Tokar Estate
- Warramunda Estate
- Whispering Hills Vineyard
- Yering Farm Wines
Each case is priced at A$300 and contains A$390 worth of wine. You can also get a half-dozen for A$155. Delivery if free Australia wide and orders must be placed before 21st June. Orders can be made here.
