King Valley stages La Dolce Vita Festival

THEY will be celebrating the sweet life in the King Valley this weekend.

The annual La Dolce Vita Festival features delicious Mediterranean al fresco dining, new-release wines and warm King Valley family hospitality.

The range of new releases highlights the region’s viticultural diversity and family winemakers.

There will be wines from Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and French varieties for tasting at 16 wineries which also will host lunches and events.

Leading Australian chef, Tony Bilson will return to King River Estate tomorrow for the annual Jazz in the Vines lunch to celebrate the vineyards 10th anniversary.

Bilson, who is an Age Good Food Guide three-hat chef, is world-renowned for his unique cooking style which is classical French cuisine combined with Mediterranean flavours and local produce.

He will be joined by wine writer, judge and educator, Peter Bourne.

The five-course lunch will be matched by King River Estate wines made using traditional French winemaking techniques.

King River Estate winemaker Trevor Knaggs said the presence of two such highly-esteemed wine and food industry champions was testament to the King Valley’s reputation as Australia’s most dynamic and diverse wine region.

“The quality and range of the region’s locally grown produce, plus the great wines and King Valley hospitality keep bringing Tony Bilson back to the region,” Mr Knaggs said.

The lunch is $110 per person, for bookings call (03) 5729 3689.

Other highlights include a Taste of the Mediterranean, with a selection of Italian and Spanish dishes and entertainment by guitarists Doug de Vries and Diana Clark at Avalon Wines.

Boggy Creek Wines will hold a vignerons’ lunch, Brown Brothers will celebrate its 20th food and wine festival and Chrismont Wines will hold Eat Italy, Drink Italy with guest chefs Patrizia and Anthony Simone from Simone’s preparing Italian dishes.

There will be a Gnocchi Festival at Pizzini Wines, delicious seafood and Italian gourmet food and entertainment at Politini Wines.

Dal Zotto Estate will hold a festival of flavours, a two-day market-style event showcasing the finest regional produce created by chef Adam Pizzini of Rinaldo’s.

For more details phone 1800 801 065 or winesofthekingvalley. com.au

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Published in Border Mail 17 Nov 06 - Archived 17 Nov 06

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