Event Details
FERMENTA – FROM LAND TO LIFE
Fermenta is a celebration of the fermentation process bringing together science, education and the best of regional produce for a one-day festival. Immerse yourself in this unique event set against the charming backdrop of historic Rylstone and Kandos, in regional New South Wales.
There will be hands-on education + workshops, live demonstrations, produce markets and a Twilight Picnic dining experience.
Festival Highlights
Fermenta will deliver a range of workshops, demonstrations, tours + entertainment with an emphasis on local, seasonal produce from our rich agricultural region. Explore it all + book your place today.
Twilight Picnic (SELLING FAST!)
The festival’s signature event, the Twilight Picnic. Nestled on the banks of the Cudgegong River in Rylstone, enjoy a picturesque twilight picnic filled with local food + wine plus a stellar entertainment line-up. This is an intimate event and a limited amount of tickets will be sold.
Included in your ticket purchase is a gourmet hamper created by local caterers Mudgee Made with only the best of our local produce, live entertainment from Singer, songwriter + storyteller William Crighton and alt-country duo Smith and Jones. Relax by the river band and soak up the good times. Drink like the locals do with Mudgee’s own Hop & Clover Brewing, as well as locally sourced wine + non-alcoholic beverages. Your ticket includes 1 x drink token.
Riverina-bred singer songwriter, William Crighton headlines an exciting lineup. A renowned storyteller, Crighton’s live show has been received to high acclaim across the world with performances at Blues Fest, WOMAD and Woodford Folk Festival
Supporting is Bathurst based alt-country duo Smith and Jones starting with a Welcome To Country and traditional Smoking Ceremony.
Time: 3.30pm – 7.30pm
Price: General Admission + Hamper (2 people) $150 I General Admission + Hamper (single) $85pp I Mudgee Coach Return Service $14pp I Under 18’s General Admission $30
Venue: Rylstone Showground – Cudgegong River
The Globe Beer Festival
Grab a spot in the sun for one huge day at The Globe Hotel, Rylstone. Celebrate all things craft brewing with live tunes, expert brewers and over 100 beers to try.
The Globe Hotel Beer Festival will take visitors on a journey of beer discovery with special guests Bilpin Cider, Hillbilly Cider, Pickled Monkey Brewing Co, Devil’s Hollow and more.
This event is all ages with fun activities lined up for the whole family.
Time: 12pm – 6pm. FREE entry – pre bookings advised.
Venue: The Globe Hotel – 46/50 Louee St, Rylstone
Workshops
Fermenta will deliver a range of workshops, demonstrations and tours with an emphasis on local, seasonal produce from our rich agricultural region. All classes are suitable for both first-timers and those experienced in the kitchen. From kombucha making to native plant foraging, the program gives participants the opportunity to learn from fermentation experts.
Wild Stories Foraging Guide (SOLD OUT)
Join environmental educator and wild food advocate Diego Bonetto on an edible walking adventure followed by a fermenting workshop by chef Gabriel Gutnik.
Time: 9am – 12pm I 2pm – 5pm. $50pp each session
Venue: Meet at Kandos Hotel – 3 White Crescent, Kandos
Kombucha Workshop
Get the basics and tools from Crave Natural’s Christine Corner. Learn how to brew and flavour kombucha with tea blends, fruit and herbs.
Time: 9.30am – 10.15am (demonstration) $30pp I 11am – 12.30pm (brewing) $85pp each session
Venue: St Dominics Catholic Church Hall, 78 Fleming St, Kandos
Make Honey Ginger Beer (SELLING FAST!)
Join Dave Henderson, head brewer of Hop & Clover Brewing, and explore the process of making delicious Ginger Beer infused with local Mudgee Honey.
Time: 9.30am – 11.30am. $85pp
Venue: Kandos Community Centre – 44 Angus Ave
Sourdough Crumpets Workshop
Mudgee Sourdough School experts olive.a.twist will show participants how to incorporate sourdough baking into their life with a crumpet workshop.
Time: 10am – 11am I 11.30am – 12.30pm I 1.30pm – 2.30pm
$60pp each session
Venue: Kandos CWA – 7 Jaques St, Kandos
Learn to Taste
Learn To Taste with Mudgee Wine School. A great way to learn the basics about viticulture. Try a good splash of local Mudgee wine and have a great time with friends.
Time: 12pm – 12.45pm I 1.15pm – 2.15pm
$55pp each session
Venue: Kandos Scout Hall – Corner Dabee Road + Campbell Street
Traditional Sauerkraut
Join Crave Natural and explore the techniques to make delicious sauerkraut at home. Naturally fermented sauerkraut is safe, delicious and beneficial to gut health.
Time (two sessions): 1.30pm – 2.15pm (demonstration) I 3pm – 4.30pm (workshop)
Price: $30pp (demonstration) $85pp (workshop)
Venue: St Dominics Catholic Church Hall, 78 Fleming St, Kandos
fermentation, pickling and preserving
Join Littleton Stores in this class to learn all about fermentation and a variety of different pickling and preserving techniques you can take home and apply to various fruits and vegetables this season.
Time: 1pm – 2pm
Price: $80pp
Venue: St Dominics Catholic Church Hall, 78 Fleming St, Kandos
wine + chocolate tasting Experience
Enjoy a unique sensory journey with delicious Mudgee wines and chocolate pairings that will delight, surprise, and definitely leave you wanting to explore this pairing.
Time: 3pm – 3.45pm
Price: $65pp (each session)
Venue: Kandos Scout Hall – Corner Dabee Road + Campbell Street
Breakfast with an Alpaca (SOLD OUT)
Join Lindsay Kelley to enjoy a unique experience and share a meal with local alpacas. Learn all about the alpaca’s special digestive system that uses fermentation to break down food.
Time: 9am – 10am
Price: $30pp
Venue: Animal Stalls at Rylstone Showground, Hall Street
An Artist, a Wine Maker + a Scientist talk Fermentation
This panel will discuss the fascination with fermentation through three different perspectives: that of a Wine Maker, a Scientist and an Artist.
Time: 1.30pm – 2.30pm
Price: $10pp
Venue: Kandos Community Centre – 44 Angus Ave
Kandos School of Cultural Adaptation Newspaper Launch
Attend the gala launch of “An artist, a farmer and a scientist walk into a bar…”. Born in Kandos, this special edition newspaper is a heady brew of farming, innovation and art from regional NSW and beyond.
Time: 1.30pm – 2.30pm
Price: FREE. Pre-bookings advised.
Venue: WAYOUT Art Space – 71 Angus Ave, Kandos
Fermenta 2021 is being planned following the Department of Health Guidelines on staging events in a ‘COVID Safe’ manner. View their full COVID-safe plan here.
Fermenta is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW and The Festival of Place – Summer Fund