8 Awesome Australian Wine Events to Add to Your Calendar

I like my wine at home. I like my wine in a bar. I like my wine at a festival alongside a hundred other people. The Wine Gallery has you covered at home and I previously tipped you off to some of my favourite wine bars, so this time I’ve rounded up our favourite wine events in the country.

Ugh, someone had to do it…

Oinofilia: Melbourne

Melbourne has the largest Greek population outside of Greece itself. And while you’re probably familiar with gyros, souvlaki and haloumi, you’re probably less familiar with Assyrtiko, Xinomavro, and Kotsifali. And that’s where Oinofilia comes in. The annual one-day festival celebrates the wines and foods of Greece, right in the middle of its second home. Get in quick!

Pinot Palooza: Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide

If pinot noir is your poison, then this is the festival for you. And luckily, it’s in most major cities. Boasting 250 wines from over 100 wineries, Pinot Palooza is the perfect chance to taste an amazing line-up of Australian and New Zealand producers while soaking up the live music. Tickets are on sales now for the 2017 tour starting in October.

Image by Pinot Palooza

Margaret River Gourmet Escape: Margaret River, Western Australia

A major bucket list item for many foodies, the Gourmet Escape is a luxurious festival of food and wine. With presentations by international and Australian chefs and innovators, masterclasses, Q&As and incredible feasts each night, it’s basically glamping for oenophiles. Last year featured Nigella Lawson, Joan Roca, David Thompson, Dominique Crenn and Rick Stein. Not too shabby.

Cover image courtesy of Gourmet Escape.

Game of Rhones: Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney

If you’re into shiraz, grenache, viognier or marsanne, you’re into the Rhone Valley in France. With over 100 wines to try, the annual Game of Rhones is an assault to the senses. Throw in suckling pigs and piles of lamb to match the reds, and you’ve got one hell of a ~~red wedding~~ feast.

Image by Game of Rhones

Hunter Valley Wine Festival: Hunter Valley, New South Wales

Now in its fifth year, this festival celebrates one of the country’s most famous wine regions. Book into the stunning Crowne Plaza for the weekend, and enjoy the wide range of local wines, as well as ciders, beers and live music. You might never want to leave.

Image by Hunter Valley Wine Festival

Bastille Day Festival: Melbourne

While not strictly a wine festival, I see any celebration of France is a celebration of wine. With masterclasses and workshops, tasting sessions and a huge food market, you’ll have everything you need to celebrate all things Français/delicious.

Vin Diemen: Sydney and Melbourne

Let me guess: you’ve been wanting to go to Tasmania forever. Everyone says that. But lucky for you, you can experience a slice of the Apple Isle more locally, at this festival that calls itself ‘a celebration of all things Tasmania, especially wine.’ Come for the cheese, stay for the sensational sparklings, crisp Chardonnays and racy ieslings.

Grow Assembly: Melbourne

Described by Gourmet Traveller as a hospitality talkfest with a ‘TED Talk vibe’, Grow wants to inspire and educate the next generation of hospitality leaders. With talks covering everything from wine matching to promoting your small hospo business, expect a roomful of renowned leaders across different fields. Keep your eye out for 2017 dates, and start plotting the next big idea. Grow is also co-founder by our very own chief wine officer, Banjo Harris Plane, so we're a little biased ;) That's him in the middle below, with his beautiful better-half and fellow wine genius, Meira, and on the right.

Image by Grow Assembly

That's it! But of course, in the meantime if you’d rather celebrate wine from home, we can sort you out with all your armchair drinker needs. Start with our fun palate profile quiz here and we’ll recommend three bottles for your personal tastes.