Showcasing Coast’s best drink and food purveyors

After a sell-out debut festival in Newcastle in 2021, Naturellement is coming to the Central Coast this May.

The two-day event showcasing the best artisan, natural, organic and small-batch drinks producers, local food purveyors and award-winning Aussie chefs is headed to the quirky Galleria Ettalong Beach on May 17 and 18.

The festival, which aims to redefine how to experience food and drinks, is the brainchild of drinks guru and P&V Merchants’ owner Mike Bennie and founder of we are neighbourgood events and experiences Kristy Austin – both Central Coast residents.

Bennie has brought together more than 30 of the most exciting producers from the Central Coast, NSW and further afield, including SABI-WABI, Majama Wines, Harkham, Ten Minutes by Tractor, Jilly Wine Co, and Meredith by Mem, to offer tastings of more than 120 wines, beers, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as meet and greets with those championing the ethos of sustainability, creativity and regional identity.

Sydney-based importers Giorgio de Maria and Andrew Guard will also be showcasing their array of drops.

The festival’s culinary program is just as heavy-hitting, thanks to Austin’s 20-year career in food programming, including senior roles at Nine’s Good Food Events, Margaret River Gourmet Escape and on the Australasian Taste brand.

Renowned Aussie chefs and sustainability advocates Alanna Sapwell-Stone (The Eltham Hotel) and Matt Stone (Ciao Mate, You Beauty), as well as the acclaimed Jake Kellie of flame-fuelled Adelaide restaurant Arkhe, will all be on the tools.

Kellie, the former head chef at Singapore’s Michelin-starred restaurant Burnt Ends, will bring the thrill of fire and his award-winning food back to his hometown. 

They’ll be collaborating with Central Coast culinary legends Nico Coccia (El Bulli), John Ralley (Textbook Patisserie), Cameron Cansdell (Saddles Mount White), Joshua Mason (Atelier Crenn) and many more, as well as Merimbula’s Ash Cotter (Valentina) and Ryde Pennefather (Bar Superette), to create a series of one-off dishes, with the full menu and line-up to be announced shortly.

Austin and Bennie teamed up about five years ago to create a touring festival that would highlight the great things smaller, low or no intervention producers were doing, and shine a spotlight on different regional areas.

“We sold out the first Naturellement in Newcastle in 2021, but unfortunately due to continuing COVID lockdowns, we had to press pause,” Austin said.

“We’re so excited to be back and embarking on the next stop of our regional tour. 

“The Central Coast is a special place for both of us, as it’s where we both now call home.”

Bennie, whose wine writing credentials include the James Halliday Wine Companion, Winefront and the magazine delicious, said Naturellement wasn’t a typical wine festival.

“This is a celebration of NSW and the ACT’s artisan, boutique and avant garde producers,” he said.

“It’s also an opportunity to introduce Australians, particularly those in our large cities like Sydney and Melbourne, to regional centres like the Central Coast.

“They have a bounty of incredible food, wine, beer spirits and non-alcoholic drinks on offer, so why shouldn’t there be a festival that showcases and shares it with the rest of the country?” 

As well as the plethora of food and drinks on offer, there will also be an educational element.

A series of fun-filled masterclasses will cover everything from introductory wine education to Amber and Orange Wine 101, Lambrusco tastings and a Wild Food Wild Wine session with Bennie and Ralley.

The Good Farm Shop’s Matilda Brown and Scott Gooding (My Kitchen Rules) will also headline a dedicated talks program, featuring inspiring conversations with local farmers, producers and wild food cooks and foragers on sustainability, regenerative farming and the future of Australia’s food scene.

Early bird tickets are $55 and include entry to one of the four sessions across the weekend, unlimited tastings, a Plumm wine glass and access to the talks program, with masterclass tickets available for purchase for $20.

Visit events.humanitix.com/naturellement-a-festival-of-drinks for more information and to book tickets.