Three weekends of wine, food, live music and plenty of Cabernet are coming to Coonawarra this October, with more than 40 experiences set to take over the region.
Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations will run from October 1st to 18th, bringing visitors into vineyards, wineries, restaurants and cellar doors for a spring celebration of one of South Australia’s best-known wine varieties.
While Cabernet Sauvignon is firmly at the centre of the festival, there’s plenty more on the program than simply sitting down for a tasting.
Visitors can meet winemakers and vineyard owners, head behind the scenes, explore the region’s vineyards and even taste wines that haven’t officially been released yet.
Coonawarra Vignerons Acting Executive Officer Heidi Guyett said, “October is a fantastic time to experience Coonawarra. The vineyards are bursting back to life, the days are getting longer and there’s a wonderful energy throughout the region.”
The celebrations kick off over the October SA Labour Day long weekend, with the Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations Golf Day on Friday, October 2nd.
Held at Penola Golf Course, the Ambrose event combines golf with sparkling Cabernet, regional food and Coonawarra wine, with teams battling it out for the Champion Team red jackets.
There will also be plenty happening across the weekend, from pasta making and lunch with the DiGiorgio family and guided vineyard tours at Rymill Coonawarra to sparkling Cabernet at sunset at Balnaves and family-friendly winery events with pizza and live music.
New to the program this year are the Coonawarra Community Markets on Sunday, October 4th, bringing together local produce, handmade goods, artisan wares and Coonawarra wines.
The following weekend, from October 9th to 11th, turns the spotlight to creative ways of enjoying the region’s wines, including Cabernet gin at Parker Estate, cocktails on the deck at Brand’s Laira and pizza and live music at Zema Estate.
The final weekend is where things really ramp up, beginning with the Cabernet Decade[nce] Tasting and Dinner at Wynns Coonawarra Estate on Friday, October 16th.
Up to 15 local producers will showcase aged Cabernet Sauvignon across different vintages, giving visitors the chance to taste wines with plenty of history behind them, followed by an optional degustation dinner at Ottelia Restaurant.
Saturday brings even more wine experiences, including Yalumba’s barrel cooper demonstration, Bowen Estate’s En Primeur, a vertical tasting of Majella Cabernet and Prof’s Paella at Majella.
There’s also a new way to explore the region this year, with Band on the Bus, Tipples and Tunes Road Tour combining wine and live music across three wineries.
Guests will travel between the wineries while Lady & The Amp jump off the bus at each stop to perform live sets.
“We’re really excited to bring the Band on the Bus concept into the Cabernet Celebrations program
for the first time,” said Haylie Gregor from Lady & The Amp said. “It’s going to be a great day of Coonawarra wine, live music and plenty of laughs, and we can’t wait to have everyone on board.”
For something a little more theatrical, Raidis Estate will bring back its Murder in the Vines mystery dinner, inspired by colourful characters from Coonawarra’s past.
Guests are encouraged to embrace the 1920s theme, dress up and get involved in an evening of food, wine, mystery and plenty of accusations.
And if you want to enjoy a few glasses without worrying about driving, the Hop On-Hop Off Shuttle Bus will run on Saturdays October 3rd, 10th and 17th, connecting participating wineries and events.
A new return service from Mount Gambier will also operate, making it easier to visit Coonawarra for the day.
With museum wines, vertical tastings, pre-release bottles, vineyard tours, food pairings, live music and plenty of opportunities to simply enjoy a glass of Cabernet on the lawn, there’s something for wine lovers and casual visitors alike.
Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations
When: October 1st to 18th
For more information, click here.
