Anyone planning a winter trip interstate might also want to enjoy a seasonal food and wine festival. Travel editor Winsor Dobbin suggests some tasty side trips.
SHORTEST LUNCH
Enjoy visiting smaller wine producers? Fancy a day or two in the Yarra Valley?
The Shortest Lunch festival returns on June 20-21 with 13 family-run wineries linking up for two days of cool-climate wines, hearty winter fare, fireside tastings, and live music, all in celebration of the winter solstice.
The Shortest Lunch offers the chance to meet the makers behind the cellar doors and discover small-batch wines. Guests will be able to taste over 100 wines, including exclusive aged and new-release drops, with food menus that span wood-fired flatbreads, slow-cooked ragu, vegan Mediterranean fare, and spiced apple desserts, all priced under $25.
It is a family- and dog-friendly event, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options at every stop, and live music and vineyard views included.
Tickets start at $35 for a full weekend pass (including a souvenir tasting glass), with Wine & Dine ($70) and VIP packages ($100) also available.
The line-up of participating wineries includes Boat O’Craigo, Fin Wines, Helen’s Hill Estate, Seville Estate, Seville Hill, Soumah (a must-visit), Steels Gate, Sutherland Estate, Tokar Estate, Yering Farm, Bilanook Estate, Whispering Hills, and Yileena Park. Expect sparkling, rosé, red, white, orange, Pet Nat, and dessert wine styles, along with small-batch ciders and beers.
Proceeds from the event support vital local causes, with over $100,000 raised to date for groups such as the local CFA, SES and Make-A-Wish Australia.
See www.shortestlunch.com.au for tickets and more information on the wineries, menus, ticket types and transportation.
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WINTER REDS
The Adelaide Hills wine region is gearing up for its annual Winter Reds festival from July 25-27 and has named cuddly TV food personality Matt Preston as the event’s official ambassador.
Winter Reds is a 15-year fixture that takes place over the last weekend of July, when it highlights “red wine, great food, warm fires, and conviviality”.
“We are genuinely delighted to have Matt Preston joining us for our Winter Reds weekend this July,” says winemaker Alex Trescowthick, president of the Adelaide Hills Wine Region.
“Matt understands the nuances of high-quality wines as well as he does exquisite food.
“He also appreciates things which are grown and made locally. What we love most about Matt is that when he enjoys something, he expresses it heartily and with warmth – which is exactly what Winter Reds is all about.
“The Winter Reds festival is an opportunity to get together with friends, rug up, and explore our winter wonderland, where our cool-climate red wines shine. From pinot noir to shiraz, gamay, tempranillo, nebbiolo, and beyond, there is so much to discover in the Adelaide Hills Wine Region.”
Preston will host a special lunch at LOT.100, where a selection of local red wines will be enjoyed and discussed with wine writer Tony Love, a local Hills resident.
Preston says: “South Australia does festivals, and wine, like no other state. And that’s why I am excited to be the Adelaide Hills Winter Reds ambassador for 2025. I love a red wine from cool climate. They are special because they are more elegant, have great varietal expression, and last in the cellar longer; that is, if you can don’t drink them all first.”
The full line-up of over 50 Winter Reds events at venues and cellar doors across the Adelaide Hills are live now at www.adelaidehillswine.com.au/events/winter-reds
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CABIN FEVER
I cannot think of a wine region in Australia that loves a festival as much as Margaret River in Western Australia.
Cabin Fever Festival returns for its ninth edition of fire-focused fun from July 18-27 in Margaret River and Busselton for a showcase of food, music, and events – over 40 in all. Returning events include Blazing Brews at Beerfarm, Wine’s a Drag at Bungalow Neighbourhood Social, the Cheese Toastie Battle, and the always-rowdy Shelter the Storm at Shelter Brewing Co.
There’s also a range of new experiences including a Lo-Fi Wine Fair featuring bites from Dahl Daddys and wine from lo-fi, small-batch winemakers Amato Vino, Si Vintners, Rosa Glen Farm and Dirt Temple.
Hot eatery de’sendent teams up with LS Merchants for some fine food and wine, while Fervor and Si Vintners join forces for Flint and Folklore in the Si Barrel Hall. There will also be Yum Yum Cha with new kid on the block Miss Chows.
Hair of the Truffle Dog will feature an early morning truffle hunt with Margaret River Truffle Farm paired with a ‘champagne’ breakfast with Skigh Wine, while Lunch on Fire at Howard Park will showcase Argentinian fare, fire pits and wine.
Three Margaret River chef heavyweights: Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion), Mal Chow (Chows Table) and Rob Webster (Normal Van) come together for Cape to Plate.
“One of the most exciting things about Cabin Fever is how it sparks unexpected, incredible collaborations, that people not only love to attend, but the venues, producers and chefs love working together to deliver,” says festival director Erin Molloy.
“People have come to rely on the festival to deliver an experience like no other in the region during the winter months, with the region coming alive as a winter wonderland of fire pits, feasts, and fun.”
Making a return in 2025 is The Cabin presented by Shelter Brewing Co. This free, family-friendly festival hub will light up the Busselton Foreshore from July 18-20.
Tickets are now on sale at www.cabinfeverfest.com.au
Next month: The very best of Bali
See more of Winsor’s recommendations at www.gourmetontheroad.com.