Margaret River Wine Association invite all to community cultural celebration to start off Vintage 2026

The Margaret River Wine Association is getting ready to mark the beginning of an exciting time as preparations for another year of harvest start and seasonal workers begin to arrive. It has invited everyone to a special welcome to country and smoking ceremony to celebrate the start of Vintage 2026. The event on Thursday, January 29, will be led by local custodians Dr Wayne Webb and Iszaac Webb marking the start on Wadandi Boodja (Saltwater Country). Smoking ceremonies are a traditional practice to clean and purify the spirit, body and soul while marking a new beginning. MRWA chief executive Amanda Whiteland said the event was now in its fourth year. “This event has become much-loved for the beautiful, cultural ceremony that welcomes workers from around the world to our community, celebrates the start of vintage, and fosters cultural exchange and connection in a meaningful way,” she said. The free event will be held from 5pm to 7pm at the Pioneer Park Amphitheatre in Cowaramup, with those attending encouraged to bring something to sit on as well as snacks and drinks. International workers can bring a flag or wear traditional clothing to share the multicultural spirit of the vintage workforce in the wine region. Local band The Nomadics will provide live music alongside traditional dances and songs by visiting workers from Timor Leste, Fiji and Tonga.