Hot off major global recognition at the prestigious Eventex Awards (the only Australian festival to receive this accolade), today’s program announcement will see Pair’d bring together a once-in-a-lifetime combination of Michelin stars, global music icons, rare museum wines and beachside feasts at Australia’s leading wine-first festival.
Pair’d Festival Director Hannah Pike said the team were thrilled to present a program that pushes far beyond the traditional food and wine festival format. “The 2026 program is about the art of the blend, from museum pours and fire feasts, to musicians in caves and sunset sessions by the ocean, we’ve curated a collection of experiences that simply couldn’t happen anywhere else in the world.” Pike said.
“In between festivals, we spend the year scouring the world to find talent who genuinely love and have a real connection to wine – be it musicians, chefs or artists – to deliver a multi-sensory celebration of place, creativity and connection. The program is wine-led, designed to be inclusive and welcoming to guests of all tastes, interests and price-points. I strongly encourage anyone interested in attending to start exploring the program now, ahead of tickets going on sale next week.” Pike finished.
The Grand Tasting returns to Howard Park Wines as the only event of the year where Margaret River’s most prestigious and iconic producers gather on a single lawn. Guests can indulge in a festival menu curated by Matt Moran and Aaron Carr, explore legendary vintages through Museum Masterclasses with Erin Larkin and Nick Ryan in the Howard Park Wine Chapel, and enjoy live music from jazz artist Mark Turner and a headline performance by Isabella Manfredi (The Preatures).
Western Australian-born chef Dave Pynt (Burnt Ends, Singapore) will return home for the hugely anticipated Burnt Ends & Friends at Wills Domain. Selling out within minutes last year, the next instalment will see Pynt collaborate with American BBQ Pitmaster and Netflix royalty Rodney Scott, Hong Kong chef Matt Abergel, Larissa Goncalves (Si Paradiso) and Ben Cross (Mason Bali) for one of the festival’s signature dining events. Scott will also host An Evening with Pitmaster: Rodney Scott alongside good friend Morgan Mcglone (The Goodies Group), an intimate live-fire feast on the festival’s opening night.
Festival favourite Pair’d Beach Club will return to Meelup Beach, bringing together two ex-Noma alumni – Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson, chef-owner of Michelin-starred Published on Main and No. 17 in North America’s 50 Best, and Ben Ing, Noma’s former head chef now behind Alberta’s in Busselton.
Guests will arrive to oysters, sparkling and coastal spritzes before choosing their experience: the Beach Club Restaurant, where a three-course menu is matched with Margaret River wines curated by sommelier Cyndal Petty or the Beach Bar, a more relaxed setting of casual beach bites, wine, music and dancing on the sand. WA seafood chef Scott Bridger of Pearla & Co. will offer a live raw bar throughout the event.
The Pair’d Beach Club is also your ticket to experience this year’s music headliners, legendary Austrian electronic duo Kruder & Dorfmeister for their only Australian performance in more than a decade. Pioneers of the ‘Vienna Sound’ and passionately involved in the wine industry themselves, they are a natural fit for
Pair’d – artists who have shaped both sound and wine culture, performing at sunset overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Led by proud Wadandi-Pibulman man Zac Webb, Nature’s Table will return under the canopy of Tanah Marah Forest, with Paul Iskov (Fervor) and Bundjalung woman Mindy Wood (World’s 50 Best Restaurants ‘Champions of Change Award) teaming up to present an exclusive four-course lunch that weaves the essence of the blooming Peppermint Tree. Paired with a prestigious wine list curated by Erin Larkin and the soulful melodies of Noongar artist Bumpy, this is a dining experience in complete harmony with the forest around.
With so many of the events in the program utilising the incredible natural assets of the Margaret River Region, Ngilgi Reverie will transform the ancient chambers of Ngilgi Cave into one of the world’s most unique stages with didgeridoo and soulful acoustic performances, followed by a Cullen Wines-led and bushfood-inspired tasting experience. Meanwhile, Xanadu Wines Under the Stars will celebrate WA’s glittering night sky for a unique evening of food, wine, astronomy and cultural storytelling.
If it’s Michelin stars you’re chasing, Vasse Felix x Bonheur presented by Lexus is an exclusive event bringing together the artistry of Vasse Felix Estate chef Cam Jones and winemaker Virginia Willcock, with the world-class refinement of Gordon Ramsay protege, Matt Abé, Chef Patron of Bonheur (London), who gained 2 Michelin stars in his new restaurant within months of opening. The event celebrates heritage, innovation and the deep connection between premier wine-making and world-class gastronomy.
Wayfinder x St. John presented by Lexus will see Wayfinder’s Brendan Pratt join forces with London’s legendary St. John to present a menu that honours the regenerative cycles of the land. Set against the backdrop of the estate, this forward-thinking dining experience is a raw dialogue between the winemaker and the chef, merging St. John’s pioneering nose-to tail philosophy with Wayfinder’s soil-first viticulture.
In 2026, New Wave Gathering is taking over crowd favourite Chow’s Table for a night of wine, delicious Chinese food, and live music headlined by Australian indie-electronic favourites Boo Seeka. Guests can expect fresh pours from the region’s next-gen labels with big tunes to match.
Oenophiles are in for a treat at The History Makers hosted by Nick Ryan, with a menu masterfully delivered by Dave Pynt and Leeuwin Estate’s Dan Gedge. Space is strictly limited to 24 seats, with Leeuwin Estate opening its gallery for the ultra-exclusive dinner featuring pinnacle bottles and revered museum releases never before tasted by the public. Ryan said: “I’ve drunk a lot of great Margaret River wines in my time, but never have I seen a collection quite like what’s on offer at this dinner. It really is the best of the best and we’ll be talking about this night for years to come.”
Western Australian Tourism Minister the Hon. Reece Whitby MLA said the WA Government is excited to invite local, national and international guests to experience an event celebrating world-class wine, food, culture, and creativity in a truly unique destination.
“Now in its third year, Pair’d Margaret River Region is a proudly West Australian homegrown event that has already built a strong presence on the global stage,” Minister Whitby said. “The 2026 program showcases internationally recognised chefs, musicians and storytellers through unique experiences that highlight the region’s natural beauty and exceptional wine and culinary offerings.”
“This event plays a key role in driving visitation to the Margaret River Region, supporting local businesses and delivering strong economic outcomes for the community, while further cementing Western Australia’s reputation as a world-class destination.”
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