Cover The Pair’d festival showcased Margaret River’s finest food and wine offerings (Photo: Pair’d Festival / Rachel Claire)
The Pair’d festival showcased Margaret River’s finest food and wine offerings (Photo: Pair’d Festival / Rachel Claire)
1 / 1
The inaugural four-day festival showcased Margaret River’s finest, putting the Western Australian region on the food and wine map
An extravagant lunch for 200 people in a forest dreamed up by ex-Noma chefs; a grand wine tasting that brought the region’s premium vineyards together for the first time in history; Lavish dinner experiences prepared by some of the greatest chefs around the world—these are just a handful of events that happened at the inaugural Pair’d Margaret River Region (Pair’d) festival earlier this year.
Set to become an annual staple, with the next three years already confirmed, the four-day Pair’d festival brings together world-class wine, food and music through a series of unique experiences hosted by some of the best chefs, sommeliers and winemakers along the iconic Margaret River region.
Margaret River has long been a focal point for food and wine enthusiasts, thanks partly to previous festivals such as the Margaret River Gourmet Escape and the Margaret River Fine Vines Festival. These festivals have highlighted the region’s exceptional produce and played a significant role in establishing its reputation as a premier destination for food and wine. These festivals’ closures left a void that Pair’d seeks to fill, hoping to bring renewed energy and focus to the local food and wine scene.
Read more: Female winemakers every wine lover and oenophile should know about
Above Pair’d Margaret River Region festival
Above Margaret’s Beach Club event
Pair’d Margaret River Region festival
1 / 2
We Are Gather’s director and co-founder Hannah Pike shares that while these previous festivals contributed to the idea of Pair’d they mainly wanted to curate a festival that has never been done before. She continues: “The intent was to create something completely unique for Australia which can only happen in Margaret River so it couldn’t be replicated anywhere else.” This led to the conceptualisation of having events at unique locations such as having a meal in the forest or having a fine dining experience by the beach. “Anything done outside of a venue hasn’t been done [in Margaret River] before,” she adds.
On creating a new food and wine festival, Pike shares that a study by Tourism Australia found that even though tourists don’t visit Australia mainly for its food, they leave with the Australian culinary scene being one of the “top reasons they love being here”.
The Australian events and marketing agency were the main organisers for this year’s festival and Pike revealed that it took around two years to bring this festival together. From where the various events would take place down to the design of each menu, Pike explained that a lot of thought went into creating the entire festival. She adds: “We wanted to be really specific about all the little bits.”
Above Nature’s Table event was a lunch for 200 people set amidst the towering trees
Above Paul Iskov
Nature’s Table event was a lunch for 200 people set amidst the towering trees
1 / 2
For example, the Nature’s Table event was a lunch for 200 people set amidst the towering trees of Tanah Marah forest. Beyond just a meal in a forest, the four-course feast was dreamed up by ex-Noma alumni David Zilber, Ben Ing and Paul Iskov (better known as Yoda), and celebrates the beauty of the region. Prior to the immersive event, ingredients were foraged by the chefs and local Wadandi-Pibulmun cultural custodian Zac Webb.
“Webb’s extensive knowledge and connection to the ingredients provided us with a beautiful framework to work from,” Iskov tells us. Not only was Webb able to share his knowledge about the foraged ingredients, he also shared how they were indicators of the seasons and the connection between plants and animals. Iskov continues: “Every dish was designed to tell a story, with creativity guided by respect for the ingredients and the natural beauty of the region.”
The delectable menu was also paired with vino from wineries around the region including Howard Park, LS Merchants and Cullen Wines. “We carefully considered how the wines could complement the earthy, bold, and nuanced flavours of the dishes,” Iskov adds.
Pike shares how the Nature’s Table event’s menu was beautifully designed by a local artist and inspired by the Wagyl (Rainbow Serpent), a deity known to protect the land and its people. Along with the menu, the table set up was also shaped to resemble the serpent.
In case you missed it: Exploring the wonders of Western Australia with Cheryl Wee and Roy Fong
Above Nature’s Table event’s menu was beautifully designed by a local artist and inspired by the Wagyl
Above Nature's Table features an indulgent four-course pairing menu
Nature’s Table event’s menu was beautifully designed by a local artist and inspired by the Wagyl
1 / 2
Wine first
At its core, Pair’d is a wine-first festival, emphasising the exceptional wines produced in the Margaret River region. Pike explains: “There doesn’t seem to be a consumer-led wine festival in Southeast Asia. [While] there are tons of food and wine festivals, we specifically chose to call this a wine and food festival [to put focus on the wine].” The immersive festival showcases the intricate relationship between food and wine while also celebrating local culture and music. The result? A variety of events that allow attendees to explore and appreciate the region’s viticulture in depth.
The festival’s Grand Tasting by Singapore Airlines, for one, brought 16 of the region’s most premium vineyards together for the first time in history. Set on an open lawn, attendees had the opportunity to taste a wide range of wines and rare museum pours from wineries including Vasse Felix, Leeuwen Estate and Moss Wood. Alongside exceptional pours were mouthwatering bites that showcased the best of Western Australia’s produce and live music.
Above Grand Tasting by Singapore Airlines event
Above Grand Tasting by Singapore Airlines event
Grand Tasting by Singapore Airlines event
1 / 2
Alongside the Grand Tasting was the New Wave Gathering, an innovative event inviting winemakers and tasters to explore daring new labels and exclusive releases. The event featured a mix of both new-blood and old-guard winemakers—such as Skigh Wines, Snake & Herring and LS Merchants—who are spotlighting the evolution of wine in the region. Unique pours were paired with tantalising food and an electrifying DJ line-up.
Masterclasses and workshop sessions that happened throughout the four-day festival also provided insight into wine production techniques, tasting methods, food pairing strategies and more. Immersive sessions were led by experienced sommeliers and winemakers.
Above The festival also featured workshops and fireside sessions
The festival also featured workshops and fireside sessions
1 / 1
Just the beginning
Looking back at the inaugural festival, Pike shares how Pair’d has been praised for its “completely fresh and unique” take on a wine and food festival. “It [was] everything we wanted it to be,” she muses.
Representing more than just a celebration of wine and food, the festival is a tribute to the rich cultural heritage of the region and its vibrant community. With its focus on local produce and wines, and innovative experiences Pair’d is set to become a staple in Australia’s festival calendar.
With the inaugural festival setting such a high bar, we can’t wait to see what they have planned in the upcoming years. Yet one thing’s for sure, Margaret River and its latest festival is now on the map, and it’s about to be the next biggest thing.
Credits
Images: Pair’d Festival / Rachel Claire
Amanda Goh was the former senior writer for Tatler Singapore.
