The Famous Monk Walk

“I remember the first festival fondly, the Saint Clair stall originated with hay bales as our wine counter and over time developed to include a Monastry façade with those behind the stall dressed as Saint Clair Monks. More recently we have changed the façade and the dress to be more in keeping with the Saint Clair Vineyard Kitchen, but the Monastry theme did create the famous Saint Clair Monk walk. 

Throughout the day at regular intervals, the Saint Clair Monk’s would carry out walking, chanting, singing and involve the crowd with fun activities including skipping. These same Saint Clair monks, went out amongst the crowd serving them bread and water. It is rumoured late in the day the water changed into wine. The festival was always great fun; great crowds, great atmosphere, great camaraderie, great music, great food, and not to forget great wine! It has just kept getting better and better over the years”.

Neal Ibbotson - Saint Clair Family Estate

Neal, Judy and the Ibbotson family have been involved with the festival from the beginning year, when Neal was Chairman of the Festival committee and continuing in later years as a committee member of the Festival committee.