As the weather gets cooler and the days get shorter, it’s a great time of year to head out and enjoy the show our regions are putting on. Whether it’s a weekend away or just a day trip, there’s no better way to enjoy autumn than with a glass of wine in hand, a great view, and delicious food. This May, the Fleurieu Peninsula is showing off its autumn style as it welcomes Tasting Australia to town.
On Sunday, May 17th, McLaren Vale icon Oliver’s Taranga is teaming up with restaurant Our Place for a generous four-course Italian long lunch. Over the afternoon, guests will experience the renowned hospitality of the Oliver and Clappis families, enjoying the very best of the region’s wines and the season’s produce.
The menu will be crafted by Chef Andy Clappis, who brings a profound sense of family tradition to the table. As the son of South Australian food legend Enzo Clappis, Andy takes inspiration from his family’s hometown in the Veneto region of northern Italy, all while highlighting the exceptional produce available across South Australia.
The final menu will be created using local ingredients, much of it home-grown, that shows it’s best in May. Andy says to expect authentic, generous share plates that include traditional handmade pasta, slow-roasted meat dishes and fresh seafood. The meal will conclude with Andy’s famous ricotta cannoli, which has become a signature of his cooking.
Each dish will be paired with a thoughtfully selected lineup of wines from Oliver’s Taranga. The McLaren Vale winery has been growing grapes for six generations on its 100-hectare Taranga property, and the family’s connection to the land stretches back more than 185 years.
Leading the winemaking is Corrina Wright. Known as the Queen of Fiano for her passion and expertise in producing the Italian grape variety in Australia, Corrina has spent more than two decades championing alternative Italian varietals in McLaren Vale, helping establish the region as one of the country’s most exciting places for these distinctive wines.
During the long lunch aptly named ‘Buon Appetito!’, guests will savour wines made from emerging Italian grape varieties like Fiano, Vermentino, Falanghina and Sagrantino. Fiano continues to have a loyal following with wine lovers. Originally from the Campania region of southern Italy, the variety has found a natural home in McLaren Vale’s warm climate, producing wines known for their lively texture and layered flavours, often showing notes of citrus, herbs, nuts and stone fruit, trust us, Fiano is your next must-try white wine!
As part of Tasting Australia, the state’s premier food and wine festival that brings together chefs, winemakers and producers from across South Australia and beyond, this is sure to be a fantastic experience. Each year, the program features everything from intimate long lunches and regional dining experiences to large-scale culinary events, celebrating the people and produce that make South Australia such a standout food destination.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Willunga, this four-course lunch is designed to be a relaxed afternoon of good food, great wines and lively conversation.
“If you’re looking for a Tasting Australia event that feels like a big family reunion, tastes like the very best of your Nonna’s kitchen, all paired with delish wines- then join us at Buon Appetito,” shared Corrina Wright, Winemaker & Director. “The Clappis family dishes are full of heart, heritage and generosity, so pairing them with our Oliver’s Taranga wines (to share) just feels right. It’s the kind of long, relaxed lunch we love; generous plates, delicious wines and plenty of stories around the table.”
Tickets are $200 per person, inclusive of all food and wine, with dietary requirements able to be accommodated with notice. For those looking to experience the best of South Australian produce paired with fantastic McLaren Vale wines, this long lunch might just be one of the most delicious ways to spend a Sunday this autumn.
Buon Appetito!
Where: Our Place, 1980 Brookman Road, Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia, 5172
When: Sunday, May 17th, 12pm to 4pm
Price: $200
For more information, click here.
