Go wild with farming and food ...

Grab the family and get close to nature with a day out at Mangarara - The Family Farm on September 20.

From a day out down on the farm to a night of wild food, wine and whisky, this year's Spring Fling in Central Hawke's Bay has something to everyone's taste this month.

The Family Farm at Patangata is opening its gates on September 20 and inviting people to connect back to the farm, the farmer, their food and nature.

Mangarara - The Family Farm is a biologically managed 610ha sheep and beef property practising regenerative agriculture using holistic grazing systems, incorporating a small dairy herd, calf rearing, 180 pasture roaming hens and Berkshire pigs.

In conjunction with the Air New Zealand Environment Trust, more than 100,000 trees, native and exotic, have been planted on the farm in the past seven years, so there is plenty to see and do when visiting, says owner Greg Hart.

The open day includes a fun farm tour on the "hoof" and a late afternoon feast with lamb and pig on a spit amid the setting of Horsehoe Lake.

Visitors will also get a sneak peek at the recently completed Mangarara Eco Lodge.

-When: Sunday, September 20, from 1pm.
-Where: Mangarara - The Family Farm, 298 Mangarara Road.
-Bookings: Bookings are essential, and can be made through the website www.thespringfling.nz/programme

Yvonne Lorkin will be at the CHB Municipal Theatre later this month, matching wines with wild food.

Wild Food, Whiskey and Wine

With a billing promising to "free your taste buds and liberate your senses", Wild Food, Whiskey and Wine at the CHB Municipal Theatre on Saturday, September 26, is tempting fare for food and wine enthusiasts.

Guest chef Thorsten Witzel will be preparing a five-course wild food degustation, full of local ingredients.

Wine aficionado Yvonne Lorkin will match each course with tastings of local wines, and the evening will finish with an exclusive tasting of single malt whiskies.

Event organiser Carol-Ann Stubbs said whiskey tasting host Paul Trass is a founding member of the Hawke's Bay Whiskey Appreciation Society, and brings with him knowledge collected from a lifelong appreciation of good whisky.

"Learn something about the history of whiskey and how to truly appreciate the characters of different drams from different regions as Paul challenges your nose and palate with single malts from the regions of Islay, Highland, Speyside and Ireland."

-When: Saturday, September 26, from 7pm.
-Where: CHB Municipal Theatre, Waipawa.
-Tickets: $75 per person, purchase through www.thespringfling.nz or Eventfinda.