Diego Bonneto Bush Walk/Forage Degustation w/ paired wines by wine maker Chris Loth

We are lucky to host, Diego Bonetto, author of  EAT WEEDS, A field guide to foraging – pairing some delicious foraged canapés with a selection of drinks chosen by Chris Loth, founder and head viticulturist as Clo Wines as well as owner of Annandale Cellars Bottle shop.

Join us on an edible wild food adventure that sees a collaboration between renowned forager and environmental educator Diego Bonetto and food designer, stylist and weed convert Marnee Fox and Wine Make Chris Loth. 

Building on Diego’s much-loved weed foraging walks, we will be taking the wild plants found on the foraging tour across Wildwood’s 100 acres of pristine subtropical rainforest, set against a sweeping sandstone escarpment, surrounded by national parks and serving up a mini mobile degustation that will have you wanting more weeds in your diet and dinner parties.

What to expect:

– A 2.5 hr walk around Wildwood w/ a maximum of 20 guests – foraging and identifying many edible foods along the way. We will be running sessions in early and mid afternoob

– 5 x canapé stations in the bush. Set up especially for you by celebrated chef, Marnee Fox to taste different things you find in Kangaroo Valley

– Matched beverages from Chris Loth of Clo Wines and Annandale Cellars (cocktails, vermouths, beers and wines)

– Full-colour booklet detailing the most common edible wild plants found on the walk

About our teachers:

Diego Bonetto grew up on a dairy farm in northern Italy when it was still common practice to collect the wild produce of the land. Springtime was all about dandelions, nettle and lovertin (hop bush young shoots), summer was about mulberries and blackberries, autumn was the time of chestnuts, hazelnuts and a host of edible mushrooms. He learned this ancient craft of gathering from the fields and woods while caring for resources in Piedmontese, his mother tongue.

When he moved to Australia he spent many years working in orchards and garden centres. He soon learned that his knowledge was a rare practice in modern societies and he sensed in the people around him a longing to rekindle their untapped connection to nature. Indigenous knowledge loss and a disproportionate mistrust for wild produce, gave way for a country of disconnected living. We no longer know the names of the plants living on our doorsteps; we distrust and dismiss some of the most important food and medicine plants that have always walked with us as our co-evolutionary species.

Chris Loth is the owner of Annandale Cellars. A qualified winemaker with over a decade of vintages under his belt and his own wine label – CLO. Chris has a vineyard of his own in Tumbarumba, and also sources grapes from Orange in NSW. He has a love of wines produced naturally that reflect the place they are from and the biology that helps create them. The wines are unique expressions that are uncompromising on quality, and absolutely delicious.

Are we going to be harvesting plants?
No, we will learn about plants. We will only collect a few leaves and flowers here and there and with those, we will discuss ID features. The main aim of the workshop is to empower you with identification skills so that when you go back home you can recognise with confidence some useful plants in your own garden/surroundings.

Are we going to scramble in the wilderness?
Enough bush bashing to wear enclosed shoes. We will walk on even ground and sometimes might walk on a rock platform on bush paths. It won’t be a scramble.

Is this suitable for elderly people or less mobile people?
Unfortunately, this particular workshop is not suitable for less mobile people. Please check the other workshops as they are better suited.

Can we try the plants?
Yes, we will offer a mini mobile degustation as well as samples of the plants we talk about for you to try. This will be a well thought out mini degustation at 5 stations along our walk

What will we drink?
Chris Loth is bringing top quality pairings with our 5 canapés. You can buy tickets without alcohol included.

Can I come with my dog?
Yes, as long as is well behaved with the other guests and does not try and gobble anyones food.

What if it looks like it’s going to rain on the day?
Plants love the rain and natures salad bar will be yummier for it. If there is a chance of rain we will let you know and we will go ahead, just bring an umbrella or your rain gear. If it is scheduled to rain hard or strong wind we will cancel the workshop and either refund your ticket or move your booking to another date.

What if I change my mind or can no longer attend?
We accept full refunds 2 weeks out. After that we will have locked in and bought everything so suggest you onsell or give to a friend.

Can I ask specific questions on the workshop?
Absolutely. We love questions and if you have any burning one just let me know in advance or on the day and we will endeavour to provide you with answers or follow up with links that would help in your quest