Leeuwin stages spectacular alfresco concerts in the picturesque grounds of the Estate as part of the Winery’s ongoing association and sponsorship of the Arts.
Described as the most extraordinary concerts ever held in Australia, the Leeuwin Concerts have featured an eclectic mix of the world’s finest musicians and entertainers from Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to Ray Charles, Tom Jones, James Taylor, Carole King and Sting. A highlight in Australia’s social and cultural calendar, visitors from all over Australia and abroad make the pilgrimage to the Margaret River Estate to enjoy the music of the industry’s greatest performers. Attired in anything from top hats to t-shirts, they picnic on the lawns whilst enjoying these remarkable events. As the sun sets over a majestic backdrop of karri forest and music fills the natural amphitheatre, Leeuwin’s famous kookaburras commence their cackling chorus to the amusement of guests and entertainers alike.
The West Australian Symphony Orchestra have appeared in several concerts at Leeuwin Estate winery.
The inaugural concert in 1985 featured pianist David Helfgott.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leeuwin_Estate_Concert_Series
1996
Memories of the Leeuwin Estate Concert by Jody Harrison
In 1996, WASO performed at the prestigious Leeuwin Estate Concert with Kiri te Kanewa and I was the Production Manager.
Knowing the site was going to be covered in lighting and sound cables for three days, Leeuwin Estate’s grass had been well watered the day before. The bump in took the entire day and the intense sunshine turned the grass, nicely shaped as an amphitheatre, into a sauna for the crew building the stage and shell. I raced up to the Leeuwin office to request eskies full of ice and bottled water.
Leeuwin had dug a pit for the sound desk and crew so they didn’t block anyone’s view. When we lifted the lid there were literally hundreds of red back spiders hanging in clusters welcoming us to our work space! I am an environmentalist, but admit to using QUITE a bit of insect spray before letting the crew in!
At the dress rehearsal, the sun was setting in the orchestral musicians’ eyes and they literally could not see or read their music. The event ran on a very strict roster, employing hundreds of caterers and staff to service the guests and a heated exchange took place about delaying the start time of the concert to avoid this debilitating sunlight during the performance. Furnished by years of international touring experience, Jerry Reinhardt saved me by stepping in with his smooth and diplomatic logic.
The musicians went off to a sumptuous dinner with Leeuwin Estate wine and we crew packed up after an exhausting day.
We finally got to the dinner only to find all the food and wine was consumed (wine bottles clearly poking out of player’s bags…). I approached a staff member begging some food for my hungry, tired staff and she happily said she would whip something up for us. At that red hot moment a violinist came up and asked for more wine. The staff member politely informed him the wine allocation had run out. He replied hotly that this was a winery and what were those two bottles behind her? She turned, picked up the bottles and put them before him, saying “Pepper grinders, sir, in the shape of wine bottles.” I was mortified.
We then returned to our hotel, only to find that no money had been allocated for accommodating my hard-working Grace Removals crew, and they were meant to sleep in their trucks. As the party was already in my room, the WASO production staff doubled up in our rooms so the tired Grace lads could have a bed.