Get Pre-Pair’d for a New Star on the Event Calendar This November

Pair’d Margaret River Region is set to debut as Western Australia’s newest and most exciting festival, taking place over four unforgettable days 14-17 November. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the famed Margaret River Region, Pair’d is a ‘wine first’ event that blends incredible culinary, music, and cultural experiences through the lens of a sommelier.

This year’s program is as diverse as it is eclectic, offering guests a variety of never-before-seen, heard, or tasted experiences. Imagine ex-Noma alumni coming together among towering karri trees for a foraged and fermented long lunch, complemented by the soundscape of nature and ancient storytelling. Experience day beds rolled out on Castle Rock Bay, transformed into a Euro-style Beach Club featuring Café Del Mar DJs and Brit Pop legend turned cheesemaker and winemaker Alex James (Blur). Delectable locally sourced fare cooked over an open flame by the country’s most exciting chefs will complete the experience.

According to the event’s spokesperson, the program was curated similarly to how a sommelier puts forward the best possible pairings to enhance the sensory experience. “Pair’d is about presenting the best pairings of the destination with the people, the people with the story of the place, the wine with the food, and the food with the music,” they 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 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.”

Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti praised the new event, stating, “The Margaret River region is synonymous with exceptional quality wines, and Pair’d Margaret River Region will celebrate and amplify this message even further. With direct air access to Busselton-Margaret River now available from key interstate markets of Sydney and Melbourne, we look forward to welcoming guests from Australia and the world to the inaugural event this November.”

Evan Hayter, Executive Chef and co-owner of the 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 is 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 the 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 the 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.”