Home cooked dishes, many using Nonna’s recipes, innovative and exciting wines styles and generous hospitality … welcome to the King Valley’s Spring celebration “La Dolce Vita” or The Sweet Life at King Valley wineries from 14 – 15 November.

It’s been a good spring. A good winter. The rains have come and now the warm is on, and the picturesque King Valley is out-doing itself. If ever there was a great time for a King Valley festival it’s now. The King Valley’s Spring Festival is on November 14-15 and I’ll bet it lives up to its name.

They know about hospitality in the King Valley. Thirteen wineries are involved (so expect lots of pinot grigio, sangiovese, prosecco, barbera, and arneis to be flowing) and lots of fresh new wine releases. You’ll be the first to try the new season’s wines.  Not to mention the food – though of course it’s bound to be a highlight. The wine families of the King Valley will be pulling out Nonna’s recipes and home-cooking a bunch of treats for visitors.

Here are some of the things going on (as they were provided to me):

• Brown Brothers Wine & Food Festival. Over 50 wines on tasting! Wines will be matched to dishes created by some of the region’s finest chefs and a farmer’s market will present produce from the region.
• On Saturday at Chrismont Wines, book early for a six course degustation lunch celebration where Chrismont wines are matched to a menu by head chef Matt Wilkinson of Circa (Melbourne). On Sunday, enjoy new varieties Prosecco, Savagnin, Moscato & Fragolino, a menu bursting with European flavours, gelato and music by Paris & Co.
• Experience the Ciccone hospitality with authentic Calabrian vino, food and coffee with activities to suit everyone. Listen to tunes from a Mandolin and classical guitar duo whilst feasting on our southern Italian cuisine prepared in-house by our famous mamma, Pina Ciccone.
• At Dal Zotto’s, its ‘Primavera del Prosecco’ a celebration of the new vintage of Prosecco. Activities include bocce, wine master classes, helicopter joy flights, live music, new Prosecco cocktails and amazing seasonal dishes.
• Sample King River Estate’s new release biodynamic wines 2008 Merlot and 2008 Shiraz all weekend. Book early for Saturday’s famous Tony Bilson lunch, five delicious courses matched to King River Estate Wines.
• Sample 2009 aromatic whites or a Brachetto cocktail at Pizzini Wines. Enjoy an extensive menu including Katrina Pizzini’s gnocchi and dishes by Adam Pizzini of Rinaldo’s Casa Cucina. This is an event for the whole family with loads of kid’s and adult activities alike, including live music, roving entertainers and market stalls.
• Let Sam Miranda Wines chef, Richard Verrochio tempt you with their cellar door menu and classic Italian pizzas. The new release 2009 Sam Miranda Prosecco will be available for tasting and sale. ‘Kids VIP area’ with jumping castle, face painting, balloons and more. Check their website for the movie on show Saturday night.

For further information on all the festivities and participating wineries of La Dolce Vita weekend go to www.visitwangaratta.com.au/pages/king-valley

There’s lots of accommodation available in the area. For accommodation and other information contact the Wangaratta Visitor Information Centre on 1800 801 065 or email tourism@wangaratta.vic.gov.au.