It’s spring!

Time to enjoy the warmth, smell the blossom and bask in the sunshine.

Over the October long weekend I know what I’ll be doing – heading to McLaren Vale for the Spring Affair Festival!

Maxwell Wines, Coriole Vineyards and Paxton Wines have teamed up again for this wine, food and music affair, held on the Sunday and Monday.

At Coriole, Chef Tom Reid and celebrity cook Poh Ling Yeow will be cooking up a storm. On the menu will be chicken kebabs with spring garden herbs & natural yoghurt, gnocchi with fresh peas, asparagus & ricotta, cured Atlantic salmon with watercress, radish and citrus dressing and a brunch option of 62⁰ free range eggs on wilted greens & toasted sourdough. And Poh will be dishing up paella and pizza frittas.

Coriole’s new wine releases, Prosecco, Fiano, Rose, Barbera & Sangiovese will be on offer.

From Humble Grounds will offer coffee and sweets and Woodside cheese plates by Pot & Pantry.

And on the Monday entertain the kiddies with free face painting, a bouncy castle and Native wildlife shows on at 11am & 2pm! (Includes bettongs, potoroos, gliders, dunnarts, crocodiles, goannas, dragons, geckos, turtles, pythons and more).

At Maxwell Wines, enjoy an oyster & bubbles bar where you can sip on their Envious Sparkling while enjoying freshly shucked Coffin Bay oysters. There’ll be several oysters options available as well as oyster and sashimi tasting plates.

Andre Ursini and his team from Andre’s Cucina & Polenta Bar will be cooking authentic Italian street food including polenta chips, brioche filled with chicken cotoletta, crispy pancetta, seeded mustard aioli & cos lettuce, house-made gnocchi with lamb ragu, tomato sugo & parmigiano, trofie pasta with basil pesto, peas, potato & parmigiano. And for dessert zeppole (Italian Donuts) with ricotta cream, caramel & toasted almonds or Sunshine ice blocks that are preservative free and made from natural local ingredients will be also available.

And on Monday entertain the kiddies with an adventure jumping castle, face painting and a treasure hunt in the maze at 10am & 2pm.

At Paxton Wines enjoy local food and produce by Cargo Catering Co, Taste of Spain and Coffee & Crepes.

And on Monday the little kids get to hang out in their very own supervised kid zone with kids’ relay races between 10-12 and 2-4, sumo suit costume fun, a bouncy castle and kids’ slushies

There are different ticket options available. On the Sunday, purchase a ticket to visit one winery, or purchase a three-winery ticket. Entry is free on Monday or you can pre-book a ticket and receive a free glass and first pour.

And if you don’t want to worry about who drives then join an organized tour. These venues have ones to offer and contact them direct:

Coopers Alehouse Gepps Cross

Hacienda

Ramsgate Hotel

Seven Stars Hotel

The Havelock Hotel

The Maid Hotel

The Original Coopers Alehouse

The Price Albert Hotel

The Stag Adelaide

For more info and to book head to www.springaffair.com.au

** With thanks to Spring Affair for the bottles of wine.

** All photo except the first with thanks to Spring Affair.