Tom Jonas, Brad Ebert set for Cellar Door Fest

The best of our regions are all in one place as food and beverage producers come to the city this weekend, writes Katie Spain

Tom Jonas, Ben Chipman and Brad Ebert from Hey Diddle Wines are one of the wine brands featured at Cellar Door Fest. Picture: AAP Image/Sam Wundke

When 170 wineries, breweries, distilleries and food producers converge on Adelaide Convention Centre for Cellar Door Fest this weekend, many of them will be new faces.

This year’s three-day food and winetasting event includes an emerging producers zone which will showcase the likes of McLaren Vale’s Berg Herring Wines, XO Wines, Limestone Coast’s Land Of Tomorrow Wines, Barossa Valley’s Rollick Wines, and Hey Diddle Wines, run by Barossa-based winemaker Ben “Chippy” Chipman and Port Adelaide football players Tom Jonas and Brad Ebert. It’s a chance for the busy lads to chew the fat with consumers.

“We’ll all be there pouring the wines at some stage over the three days,” Tom says.

This includes their montepulciano, grenache rosé, shiraz, and Super T (a cabernet, sangiovese and montepulciano blend).

The trio loves to chat about new projects, including an Adelaide Hills white and wines made using Clare Valley fruit.

“We make stuff we’re passionate about,” Ben says. “For us, it’s about trusting Chippy with the winemaking,” Brad adds.

“We back him and his winemaking decisions all the way.” Meanwhile, the Port boys provide ideas, and kick marketing goals.

But it’s not all about the thrill of the new. Cellar Door Festival’s Great Wine Capitals Discovery Space hosts wine masterclasses presented by brands like St Hugo, d’Arenberg, Penfolds, Henschke and Seppeltsfield.

Guest chefs Adam Liaw, Callum Hann and Jessie Spiby will cook up a storm, and a long lunch will feature wines by Hentley Farm. A Bushfire Relief Market zone will showcase producers who were hit by recent fires.

The sale of Cellar Door Fest wine glass holders and a silent auction on Friday night will raise funds for Adelaide Hills Wine Region Fire Appeal and the KI Mayoral Relief and Recovery Bushfire Fund.

Feb 7-9, Adelaide Convention Centre, from $28, cellardoorfestival.com