Travellers from Melbourne, across regional Victoria and interstate make up a large proportion of attendees – I met people who use the festival as an annual catch-up.
It is also the kind of event where people from across the Grampians and Wimmera regions are likely to run into at least somebody they know.
For me, the highlight was randomly running into somebody who I went on a tour of Ireland with about 21 years ago.
As a young backpacker, I ventured to the United Kingdom, and spent a week in Ireland on a bus with a mix of nationalities – all there to see the Emerald Isle and enjoy the ‘craic’, as they say.
There were two other regional Victorians on that tour – from Cobden – and I had not seen them since that week in Ireland.
But on Saturday, wandering around the Halls Gap Recreation Reserve – again to enjoy the ‘craic’ I spotted one of them, and enquired if he had been on a tour of Ireland in 2004?
Thankfully it was him and we had a drink together, caught up and introduced our respective spouses.
A random moment to add a personal highlight for me at the festival.
But there were so many other highlights – the entertainment, the vast range of food and drink options, plus the good times spent with family and friends.
Blessed with great weather, the festival was judged a success all-round.
The strong attendances reportedly flowed onto strong sales for most of the producers, who have all done it tough in the past six months as the region recovers from major fires.
The barrique wine auction to raise money from Grampians Winemakers was also a success, and money raised from that will go towards more events to raise money for local wineries.
And with major national and statewide promotions taking place to coincide or follow the Grape Escape, let’s hope the tourism numbers stay strong.
3AW Breakfast broadcasted live from Pomonal Estate on Friday.
An initiative supported by Visit Victoria, the special live show welcomed hosts Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft to the Grampians to showcase all there is to do and see in the region, while encouraging listeners to book a stay.
Both hosts participated in a local immersion program showcasing the natural attractions and renowned wine of the region, including a visit to the longest underground cellars in Australia at Seppelt Wines and a tour of the Grampians National Park with Absolute Outdoors.
Meanwhile, this morning Channel 7 breakfast program Sunrise was due to visit Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park.
During live weather crosses, residents and business owners from the Grampians helped spread the message and showcased the region to the nation.
But, as I was reminded on several occasions in the past week, while a large focus is on tourism numbers from visitors across Australia and internationally – it is still important our readers support this unique and beautiful pocket of the region.
And why wouldn’t you? There is always something to see and do in the Grampians.
PHOTOS: Grampians Grape Escape 2025
