THOUSANDS of local and interstate visitors are expected at McLaren Vale next month, to indulge in the region’s best food and wine at the Sea and Vines Festival.
For the first time in the event’s 18 year-history, visitors need to book their tickets in advance for the two-day festival on Sunday, June 13, and Monday, June 14.
McLaren Vale Grape, Wine and Tourism Association marketing manager Elizabeth Tasker said the new format would “improve the experience” for all festival-goers.
“The growing popularity of the event has spurred the changes because in the past venues have been limited in their capacity,” she said.
The 2008 event was marred by the arrest of 18 people for alcohol-related offences, including assault and abusive language, at wineries and the Hotel McLaren.
Six people were arrested at last year’s event, with four reported for drink driving.
Ms Tasker said the 27 wineries and restaurants involved up from 22 the previous year would be better prepared with catering and security because they would know exactly how many people to expect on both days. Visitors without a ticket will be refused entry. Chalk Hill manager Tom Harvey said the new format would give attendees the chance to have a “premium” festival experience.
Settlement Wines general manager Ellen Smith said it would be the first time the event had been held at the winery’s new home on Seaview Rd.
“It’s going to be a really relaxed vibe,” she said. “We’ll have some good wines on offer and we make our own wood oven pizzas.”
Attendees pay a $20 booking fee, which allows them to secure their spot at different venues across four time slots 9am to 11am, 11am to 1pm, 1pm to 3pm and 3pm to 5pm.
Tickets for Tapestry, Wirra Wirra, Woodstock, Coriole, Maxwell, d’Arenberg, Chalk Hill and Paxton are close to selling out on Sunday; bookings are still open for all wineries on the Monday.
The booking fee includes a Riedel wine glass, the first pour of wine and a tree, which will be planted in McLaren Vale by Greening Australia volunteers.
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