Wine Festivals in Australia 2026

Adelaide's biennial celebration of Australian food and wine brings together the nation's top producers and chefs for a week of events spanning the city and surrounding wine regions. The open-air festival hub in Victoria Square hosts free tastings, while ticketed events cover everything from a Barossa sunrise breakfast to a Coonawarra masterclass. Australia's most ambitious culinary festival.

South Australia's Clare Valley celebrates its world-class Rieslings over a May long weekend, with a twist: the festival is built around cycling the famous Riesling Trail between wineries. Over 20 cellar doors offer food pairings, live music, and exclusive releases accessible only on festival weekend. Flat to rolling terrain makes cycling accessible to all fitness levels.

A self-drive wine and food trail across eight Lovedale Road wineries in the Hunter Valley, each hosting a unique long-table lunch on a May weekend. Ticket holders drive between wineries at their own pace, with wine matched to courses at each stop. The Lovedale precinct's intimate scale and cellar door character gives it a more personal feel than Hunter Valley's main events.

McLaren Vale's signature winter festival pairs the region's robust Shiraz, Grenache, and Cabernet with the best of South Australia's seafood. Over 30 wineries host intimate long lunches, live music, and cooking demonstrations across the Fleurieu Peninsula over three days. The contrast of rolling vineyards and nearby Gulf St. Vincent beach is a unique setting.

Australia's largest food and wine event transforms Melbourne for ten days each March. The World's Longest Lunch — 1,600 seats along a single table — is the festival's iconic event, alongside masterclasses, restaurant pop-ups, and producer markets. Over 200 events span the CBD, Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, and regional Victoria.

Victoria's Rutherglen celebrates its legendary fortified wines — Muscat and Topaque — over a Queen's Birthday weekend in June. Eighteen heritage wineries open their doors simultaneously, offering tastings, barrel room access, and live music. The 'Indulge, Explore, and Discover' trail format encourages leisurely exploration of Australia's oldest wine families.

Victoria's King Valley celebrates its Italian immigrant winemaking heritage over the June long weekend. The valley's Italian families — Dal Zotto, Pizzini, Chrismont — open their cellar doors for Prosecco, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, and Pinot Grigio tastings alongside traditional Italian food. Australia's most distinctly Italian wine festival experience.