After a sold-out debut festival in Newcastle in 2021, Naturellement is heading to the Central Coast this autumn.

The two-day event showcases the best artisan, natural, organic and small-batch drinks producers, local food purveyors and award-winning Australian chefs.

Naturellement – the French word for naturally – will take place at Galleria Ettalong Beach on 17-18 May.

The festival is the brainchild of drinks guru and P&V Merchants’ owner Mike Bennie and events and experience agency ‘we are neighbourgood’ founder Kristy Austin.

Bennie has brought together more than 30 of the most exciting producers from the Central Coast 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-19 lockdowns, we had to press pause,” she 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 delicious. magazine, said Naturellement isn’t your typical wine festival.

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

“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?” 

A series of masterclasses – presented by Plumm – 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.

Naturellement is being supported by Destination NSW, while hospitality e-commerce software provider Lightspeed has come on board as a presenting partner.

Located just a three-minute walk from the Northern Beaches ferry terminal, festival organisers have partnered with local ferry and bus operators to offer discounted travel options.

Early bird tickets to Naturellement 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. 

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