Pair’d to Perfection

It only takes one glimpse of the towering Boranup Karri Forest transitioning to the cliffs of Contos Beach, or the red earth of Injidup Beach blending into the myriad blues of the Indian Ocean, to see why our slice of paradise is the perfect location for Western Australia’s newest homegrown event– Pair’d Festival. 

With excitement growing, the four-day celebration promises a unique mix of expected and unexpected pairings from 14 to 17 November this year. 

Festival Director Hannah Pike, is excited to bring to life the ‘wine first’ celebration created through the lens of a sommelier with an emphasis on local offerings. The festival program features an array of events suited to every palate, from those new to the world of wine to seasoned connoisseurs. Festivalgoers can look forward to in-depth tastings, gourmet dining experiences, engaging workshops, vibrant soirees, and much more. 

“Just as a Sommelier puts forward the best pairings of wine to food, Pair’d is doing the same by linking the story of the wine with the soil on which it comes from” Ms Pike said.

“We’re putting forward the best pairings of the region with its people, its people with the story of place, the story of place with the wine, the wine with the food, the food with the music.” 

Now, all that’s left is to curate your festival weekend and select your cherry-on-top events.

Howard Park will transform into a boutique wine festival, as 15 of the region’s wineries pouring their best drops, including rare museum releases. Guests will have the chance to meet the winemakers behind the bottles through masterclasses and deepen their knowledge with insights from wine experts. Additionally, the Howard Park Wine Chapel will host a special event featuring exclusive, under-the-table tastings of wines not generally available to the public. 

Experience Castle Rock Beach like never before. For one weekend, the iconic beach will transform into a European-style beach club. Imagine the south of France blended with the Italy’s Positano, complete with rows of umbrellas and day beds, DJs, mouthwatering seafood platters, bistro seating, and a lively pop-up bar.

House of Cards and Chow’s Table are joining forces to host an Asian Hawker Style Feast, featuring vibrant street-style dishes straight from the wok, grill, and fryer. Chow’s Table Owner and Head Chef Mal Chow, known for his innovative take on Malaysian and Chinese cuisines, has invited his Tetsuya’s alumni, Dan Hong and Rosheen Caul, to join him in the South West for this special collaboration. 

The festival will also showcase a dinner series across Leeuwin Estate, Vasse Felix, Voyager Estate and Wills Domain, featuring collaborations with visiting chefs. 

For well-versed wine lovers, there will be some serious wine events such as a Sparkling Symposium at Howard Park, an International Chardonnay Tasting at Cullen Wines, and an International Cabernet Tasting at Cape Mentelle.

For those looking for something more hands-on, join a wine-tasting and pottery workshop at Happs Wines. The festival will also feature an alfresco lunch among the karri trees at Tana Marah, a free closing street party on Margaret River’s main street, and so much more.

Prepare to explore the region and its exceptional produce like never before. Discover more and purchase tickets at Pair’d Festival.