Pre-sale tickets will be available this week (1-2 August) ahead of general tickets on sale from 5 August, for Pair'd Margaret River Region - Western Australia's brand-new festival taking place over four days this November (14-17) that will see the region's world-renowned wines paired with food and music in new and surprising ways.

Set in the breath-taking surrounds of the famed Margaret River Region, Pair'd is a 'wine first' event, curated through the lens of a sommelier and blended with incredible culinary, music and cultural experiences.

Released today (30 July), the event program is as diverse as it is eclectic, offering guests a variety of never before seen, heard or tasted experiences to delight the senses.

• Ex-Noma alumni will come together at Nature's Table - an event set amongst towering karri trees offering a foraged and fermented long lunch complemented by the soundscape of nature and ancient storytelling;
• 18 of the region's most iconic wine brands will converge in one place at the Grand Tasting offering guests an incredible selection of wines to sample (including access to sought after museum wines);
• Prestigious winery restaurants will be matched with Michelin starred chefs to present world-first Wine Series Dinner collaborations;
• The spotlight will be cast on the region's innovators who are making waves in the industry, with exclusive new season releases and tastings at the New Wave Gathering; and
• Daybeds will be rolled out on stunning Castle Bay, as it's transformed into Margaret's Beach Club - Australia's ultimate coastal celebration featuring day sessions by Cafe Del Mar DJ Ken Fan, and sunset sessions with Brit Pop legend turned cheese and winemaker Alex James (Blur bassist), all perfectly paired with wines curated by legendary local sommelier Cyndal Petty and grilled seafood platters and dishes crafted by culinary heroes David Pynt (Burnt Ends), Ben Jacobs (Lagoon), Aaron Carr (Yarri) and Ben Ing (Alberta's).

Gourmands who are lucky enough to be at the inaugural event this November can expect the expected as they embark on a culinary adventure in Western Australia's South West.

Speaking on behalf of the festival management team, Hannah Pike said the program was curated in the same way a sommelier puts forward the best possible pairings to enhance the sensory experience.

“Pair'd is putting forward the best pairings of the destination with the people, the people with the story of place with the wine, the wine with the food, the food with the music,” Ms Pike said.

“Unlike other culinary events that have come before us, Pair'd is a 'wine and food' event - rather than a food and wine event - celebrating the terroir and incredible wines that are produced in the Margaret River Region.

“Much consideration has gone into finding new and surprising pairings to create truly unique events that are accessible for more people to enjoy,” Ms Pike finished.

Global rockstar turned cheese and winemaker Alex James returns to the Margaret River Region for Pair'd this November,

“It's a gourmet heaven. A vibrant food culture with independent producers, growers and makers everywhere you look.

“All that sunshine gives everything so much flavour,” the Blur bassist said.

Evan Hayter, Executive Chef and co-owner of new refined dining restaurant de'sendent in Margaret River, is excited to present a very special dining experience as part of the inaugural Pair'd program.

“An exclusive group of diners are in for a treat as we present the Sushi m Omakase Dinners on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 November,” Mr Hayter said.

"We're teaming up with our friends from renowned omakase and Edomae restaurant Sushi m Tokyo to host two collaboration dinners at our new restaurant de'sendent in Margaret River. Chef Junya Hashimoto crafts refined sushi that has a distinct sense of place, and Sommelier Yoshinobu Kimura seamlessly pairs local and world wines – as well as sake – with cuisine. The Burch family of Margaret River's Howard Park Wines has generously opened its private cellars for these two dinners, providing access to some extremely rare old-world wines."

“Everyone's looking forward to showcasing the uniqueness of our region and produce; Pair'd will give the world an opportunity to indulge in what we enjoy every day," he finished.

A TASTE OF THE 2024 PAIR'D PROGRAM

GRAND TASTING AT HOWARD PARK

Location: Howard Park Wines

Date: Fri 15 Nov, Sat 16 Nov & Sun 17 Nov 2024

Time: 12pm to 4pm

Ticket price: $140pp + bf

Description: The Grand Tasting presented by Singapore Airlines is a convergence of wine icons that highlight Margaret River Region's exceptional quality. Set on the sophisticated lawns of Howard Park Winery, this exclusive event offers a curated selection of museum wines from Margaret River's most prestigious wineries featuring Cullen, Xanadu, Voyager Estate, Vasse Felix and other award-winning vineyards. Enjoy gourmet delicacies, live music, garden party feels and lounging at the Howard Park Sparking & Oyster Bar. Elevate your experience with VIP wine masterclasses led by the winemakers themselves.

MARGARET'S BEACH CLUB

Location: Castle Bay

Date: Nov 15, 16 & 17

Time: Two sessions daily: 12pm-4pm & 6pm-10pm

Ticket Price: From $340pp + bf

Description: This is your invitation to Australia's ultimate beach club - Margaret's, set against the stunning backdrop of Castle Bay, with iconic DJ sets from Cafe Del Mar DJ Ken Fan and rockstar turned cheese and winemaker Alex James (Blur bassist). Guests will enjoy a specially curated Margaret River wine list by Cyndal Petty, paired with grilled seafood platters and dishes created by culinary heroes, Dave Pynt of Burnt Ends, (Yarri), Ben Jacobs (Lagoon), and Ben Ing (Alberta's).

NATURE'S TABLE

Location: Tanah Marah Forest Yallingup

Date: 16 Nov

Time: 12pm – 4pm

Ticket Price: $269 + bf

Description: Embark on the ultimate sensory journey as we tantalise your taste buds, delight your ears with the soundscape of nature, and connect you to the region through local ingredients, exquisite flavours, and fine wines. This unparalleled four-course lunchtime feast will be served on timber tables shaped to reflect the wagyl (Rainbow Serpent) of Australian Aboriginal lore, beneath the towering karri trees of Tanah Marah Forest. Each dish stars locally foraged ingredients prepared by ex-Noma alumni, David Zilber, Ben Ing and Paul Iskov that will be perfectly paired with local wines. This immersive forest feast celebrates the raw beauty of the region, with foods foraged for by the chefs and local Wadandi custodian, Zac Webb, who will also be on hand to welcome guests and share stories throughout the feast.

NEW WAVE GATHERING AT SKIGH WINE

Location: Skigh Wine Yallingup

Date: 15 Nov + 16 Nov

Time: 5pm – 10pm

Tickets $50 +bf

Description: Join us for a congregation of rebel winemakers, from new blood to the old-guard, known for pushing the limits of incredible wine. Guests will soak up golden hour amongst the vines with a selection of tasty bites, as they sample the region's most innovative and daring wine labels, with exclusive new season releases and tastings from LS Merchants, South by South West and other game changing Margaret River winemakers. Expect party vibes as our resident DJ spins vinyl amongst the vines.

NIGHT HAWKER AT CHOW'S TABLE

Location: Chow's Table

Date: 16 Nov

Time: 6:30pm – 11pm

Ticket Price: $145 + bf

Description: Experience an evening of Asian street eats crafted by superstar chefs Dan Hong, Rosheen Kaul and Mal Chow. Taste your way through the street eat stations, with dumplings, grilled skewers and authentic bites on offer, accompanied by your choice of bold cocktails, award-winning House of Cards wine and much-loved local beers. All set to DJ beats starring hip-hop, R&B and K-pop jams.

ORIGIN SERIES

Locations: 15 venues across the Margaret River Region

Dates: 14-17 November, various times

Ticket Prices: Ranging from $25 to $500 + bf

Description: The Origin Series has been created in true partnership with the region's standout venues, who have offered up some truly unique wine and food experiences for guests to enjoy. From wine tasting over water on a catamaran, to decadent desserts sampled alongside back vintage wines or hands-on art classes where the wine tasting wheel influences your creative choices – expect the unexpected!

WINE DINNER SERIES

Locations: Leeuwin Estate, Wills Domain, Voyager Estate, and Vasse Felix

Date: 15 Nov & 16 Nov

Time: 6pm – 10pm

Ticket price: $385 + booking fee

Description: Join us for an extraordinary Pair'd collaboration between Margaret River's esteemed wineries and world-class Michelin-starred chefs. Each intimate evening promises an exquisite and unique dining experience, specially curated and produced by renowned chefs including Dave Pynt (Burnt Ends, Singapore), Kirk Westaway (Jaan, Singapore), Kyle Connaughton (Single Thread Farms, California) and Jonny Lake + Isa Bal (Trivett, London) - all paired with the finest wines from these iconic estates.

Visit www.pairdmargaretriver.com to view the Full 2024 Program.