Schedule Some Gourmet Fun in Clare Valley Wine Country
Autumn’s greatest gift (aside from some rain we hope) is the famous Clare Valley Gourmet Festival. It’s the ultimate excuse to gather your mates, raise a glass, and support our South Aussie wine legends.
Across the valley, it’s all about big flavour, bold wines, and cracking company. Think long lunches, cellar door tunes, food for the soul, and the kind of country hospitality that makes you want to stay a little longer.
Clare Valley Gourmet Festival has been pouring the good times for over 40 years now, and kicking off this year’s 10-day extravaganza, is the crowd-pleasing Festival Weekend from May 16 to 18. For those who want the fully immersive Clare Valley experience, Breathe It In runs from May 19 to 23. And what better way to wind up the wining and dining than with Land Of The Long Lunch on the weekend of May 24.
From behind-the-scenes barrel tastings to arty vineyard sessions, there’s something for every palate – whether you’re chasing the region’s famed Riesling, a drop of soul-warming Shiraz, or just a good old-fashioned pie (with a gourmet twist, of course).
Here’s a look at some of the highlights – starting with three exciting new, all-inclusive flavour trails.
Hit the Flavour Trails – Three New Gourmet Bus Experiences launched for 2025
Leave the car behind and hop aboard one of three all-inclusive Gourmet Bus Trails, launched fresh for the 2025 Clare Valley Gourmet Festival! These curated, full-day itineraries take the hassle out of planning, with transport, food, wine, and unique experiences all wrapped into one easy ticket.
Whether you’re vibing with the Rolling Green Hills Trail, the Towering Red Gums Trail, or the Big Blue Sky Trail, each route offers a deliciously different way to explore the region. Think exclusive cellar door tastings, mouth-watering dishes from local chefs, back-vintage pours, winemaker chats, and even gourmet s’mores by the fire.
Trails include four premium winery stops, with optional return transport from Adelaide available – and drop off and pick up for those with accommodation in the Clare Valley.
Tickets are $195 and spots are limited – so grab your crew and get ready to sip, savour, and soak in the best of Clare Valley during Festival Weekend.
O’Leary Walker Wines – Dumplings, Vibes & VIP Style
Get ready for bold flavours, premium wine, and serious festival vibes at the O’Leary Walker Vino & Dumpling Festival Weekend — back and better than ever for Clare Gourmet 2025!
Feast on house-made dumplings bursting with authentic flavour, perfectly paired with OWW’s top drops. With live tunes from Mr Buzzy and cold brews courtesy of Big Shed Brewing, it’s the ultimate weekend to sip, savour and soak it all in against the breathtaking backdrop of their iconic cellar door.
Level up the experience by stepping into Oleary Walker’s Red Lantern Lounge – a luxe VIP experience where you’ll graze on gourmet platters and enjoy a handpicked selection of wines in your own private area.
For a totally hassle-free Gourmet experience, grab yourself a seat on the Big Blue Sky Trail bus -the all-inclusive food and wine journey which includes a 1.5 hour stop at O’Leary’s for Vino, Dumplings and one of the best views in the Valley.
Comfort food, old ‘skool’ tastings and chilled vibes at Claymore
If you’re looking for a relaxed, flavour-packed way to experience Clare Valley Gourmet Week, Claymore Wines in Leasingham has you covered, with live music, great wine, hearty food, and a few creative twists.
“Warm Up to the Clare Gourmet Festival Weekend“on Friday night May 16, with smooth tunes from Keiran Allen Music , loaded ‘Tasty Dogs’, and delicious wine-infused pies from the famous Little Red Grape Bakery. It’s the ultimate comfort food paired with Claymore’s finest drops.
Across the Festival Weekend Claymore joins the new Big Blue Sky Trail– an all-inclusive, full-day experience. Guests will stop in at Claymore and be treated to French Cassoulet by the fire and a barrel tasting of the 2024 Nirvana Reserve Shiraz in the Boot Room Barrel Store.
For a totally relaxed Festival Weekend experience, Claymore’s Lo-Fi Lounge will be bringing chilled vibes all weekend – think jukebox tunes, old-‘skool’ tastings, snack plates, party pies and classic Claymore hospitality.
Then, on Friday, May 22, get arty with a Riesling in hand at Paint the Vines – a vineyard painting session with local artist Lauren Weir.
Taylors bring the Vibes to the Vines with a Mexican flavour
Taylors Wines are kicking off Vines & Vibes on Friday night, May 16, with sunset drinks and a celebration of music, food, and, of course, seriously good wine. As the stars appear, there’ll be gourmet roaming pizzas and platters, a welcome drink to get you in the groove, and the best part? A return courtesy bus from Clare or Auburn means no designated drivers needed.
Vines & Vibes continues all weekend long with DJs, bands, food trucks (including Adelaide’s own Mexican Cartel tacos), doughnuts, coffee, cocktails, and tastings from Taylors’ Aromantiques and TWP wine ranges. Don’t miss their Riesling showcase — four vintages from across the region.
They’re also a key stop on the Big Blue Sky Trail, so whether you’re dancing, sipping or taco-tasting, Taylors is the place to be for good vibes and great drops this Gourmet Festival.
Wine and dine at the world-class Watervale Hotel
Experience world-class food, wine and country hospitality at the award-winning Watervale Hotel.
On Friday, May 16, kick off the celebrations with the Cellars Without Doors Degustation Dinner — a six-course feast by South Australian Chef of the Year Nicola Palmer, paired with wines from Clare’s boutique, no-cellar-door wineries.
Across the Festival Weekend, May 17–18, soak up the relaxed vibes with Trailblazers @ The Watervale, featuring wines from Crabtree, Kirrihill and Gullyview Estate, great food, and plenty of stories in the beer garden.
Then fire up your Saturday night with Fiesta del Fuego — a flame-fuelled “Feed Me” dinner packed with smoky flavours, Mediterranean varietals and Latin beats.
So whether you’re a wine connoisseur, a foodie, or just looking for a good time with great people, the Clare Valley Gourmet Festival has you covered. Pack your appetite, bring your mates, and toast to good times in one of South Australia’s most iconic regions. See you there!
