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Margaret River has a brand-new wine and food festival, and it’s a corker

Experience a taste of the Margaret River Region like never before.

If you’ve never immersed yourself in the magic of Western Australia’s Margaret River Region, now’s the perfect time. Located an easy three hours’ drive south of Perth and just 45 minutes from Busselton Airport, the region embodies ancient geography and the songline of the Wadandi (Saltwater) people, and according to the six seasons of Wadandi Boodja (Country), October and November is Kambarang, the season of birth.

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Blessed with natural beauty, wide-open spaces, an abundance of wildlife, world-class wines and stunning surf breaks, the Margaret River region has long been a salve for world-weary types seeking respite from the city hustle.

Shot of a dining table with glasses of wine and lobster
Margaret River is a playground for wine and food lovers from around the world.

More recently, the region’s culinary scene, artisanal producers and sustainable farming practices have secured Margaret River as a food and wine lover’s paradise. So, what better way to experience a generous taste of it than at a festival of food and wine that celebrates the very best it has to offer.

Expect the unexpected

Pair’d Margaret River Region is a new wine and food festival running from 14-17 November that has been curated through the lens of a sommelier. This wine-first event brings together the region’s world-class vineyards, cellar doors and wines and, as the name suggests, pairs them with incredible culinary, musical, and cultural experiences to match.

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Over four days, a program of 25 diverse and eclectic events offers guests a variety of unique experiences throughout the Margaret River region. Here’s a taste of what you can expect.

Margaret’s Beach Club

Kick back with your toes in the sand at Margaret’s Beach Club, located at stunning Castle Bay, with top DJ sets, a gourmet beach barbecue and an exquisite Margaret River Region wine list.

A DJ in the foreground of a sunset
Take in the stunning WA sunsets over the sea from beautiful Castle Bay.

Enjoy fresh seafood platters, crayfish rolls and an impressive lineup of dishes from leading local chefs Aaron Carr (Yarri), Ben Jacob (Lagoon Yallingup) and Ben Ing (Alberta’s) alongside Perth export Dave Pynt behind Michelin-starred Singapore restaurant Burnt Ends — all matched with Margaret River Region wines, specially curated by local sommelier Cyndal Petty.

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Daytime sessions (12-4pm) will be soundtracked by Café del Mar DJ, Ken Fan, direct from Ibiza. While evening and sunset sessions (6-10pm) will see global rockstar and Blur bassist-turned-cheese-and-winemaker, Alex James.

Ticket options include seaside bistro dining, luxurious daybeds and bar tickets for the party vibes – find out more and book tickets here.

Nature’s Table: The ultimate foraged and fermented dining experience

Indulge in a four-course lunchtime feast beneath the towering canopy of the Tanah Marah forest. Each dish stars locally sourced ingredients prepared by ex-Noma alumni David Zilber and Ben Ing, joined by Paul Iskov to present the ultimate foraged and fermented dining experience.

An outdoor dining table decorated with green candles and olive branches
Every course comes perfectly paired with Margaret River’s local and lauded drops.
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Hosted by GT’s own WA state editor Max Veenhuyzen, this forest feast celebrates the raw beauty of the region, with foods foraged prior to the event by the chefs and local Wadandi-Pibulmun Cultural Custodian, Zac Webb, who will also be on hand to welcome guests and share stories throughout the feast.

Tickets start at $269 for a four-course lunch – find out more and book tickets here.

Grand Tasting presented by Singapore Airlines

Taste an exquisite selection of wines from the region’s most prestigious wineries on the sprawling, manicured lawns of Howard Park Wines. Tastings will range from best-sellers to museum-worthy specials.

Tickets start at $140 and include unlimited bites, three wine tastings and live music by cookbook queen and opera singer Silvia Colloca – find out more and book tickets here.

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New Wave Gathering

Gather together for a congregation of Margaret River Region’s rebel winemakers and culinary geniuses coming together for this incredible sunset wine tasting event.

Explore Margaret River Region’s vineyards and cellar doors, and raise a glass with the growers, winemakers and sommeliers.

The culinary fray will be led by chef Andy Heardnen (AKA Andy Cooks) with wine tasting notes by Nick Ryan. Music headlined by chef-turned-DJ Brian Cole and Grant Smillie from LA  —  find out more and book tickets here.

For the full line-up of events at Pair’d, ticket sales and information on getting there, where to stay and more, visit the Pair’d website at www.pairdmargaretriver.com.

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Margaret River sits on the traditional land of the Wadandi (Saltwater People), one of 14 Noongar people who are the Traditional Custodians of south-west Western Australia. The Noongar refer to their land as Noongar boodja and the Wadandi have a connection with the river and seas, expressed in songs and stories.

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