FOOD and wine lovers will have to book for the next McLaren Vale Sea and Vines Festival, under plans to rid the event of drunken troublemakers.
Rather than being able to wander around different venues, for the first time visitors will have to book tickets in advance for the two-day festival on June 12 and 13.
McLaren Vale Grape, Wine and Tourism Association marketing manager Elizabeth Tasker said attendees would pay a $20 booking fee to lock themselves into a winery or restaurant at a particular time.
“Wineries will be better informed,” Ms Tasker said.
“They will know who has booked for their venue and at what times, which will assist with their planning.
“Those who book will get sent a lanyard - without one you won’t be able to get in.”
So far, more than 27 wineries and restaurants, including Maxwell, d’Arenberg, and Chalk Hill, had registered for the event, up from 22 last year.
The 2008 event was marred by the arrest of 18 people for alcohol-related offences at wineries and at the Hotel McLaren.
Chalk Hill Wines marketing manager Tom Harvey said he supported the changes because they would alleviate both traffic congestion and behavioural issues.
“It’s going to make the festival a better food and wine experience,” he said.
“The increased number of wineries participating shows they’re more willing to support this type of event.”
Regular festival goer Michael Dow, of Willunga, said the new format would keep some of the “riff raff” out and ensure the focus of the festival was on good food and wine.
Mr Dow, 25, was left battered and bruised after being attacked by a group of drunks at Tapestry Wines in 2008.
The $20 booking fee will include a wine glass, the first pour of wine and a tree, which will be planted in McLaren Vale by Greening Australia volunteers.
Festival tickets will be available at http://www.mclarenvale.info from April.
(Thanks to the Southern Times Messenger for his article).
