Planning a winter road trip? The Dark Side of Wine is the wine-derful excuse you need to get out of town
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Looking for a way to escape Canberra winter? Trust us, this road trip will be worth the drive. Just four hours away from Canberra awaits the winter escape of your dreams.
Running for 10 nights, the Dark Side of Wine festival is back, after winning the best wine-themed event at the Wine Communicators of Australia Awards. Held in the Rutherglen wine region of northeast Victoria, from Friday 7 to Sunday 16 August, you’ll get the chance to experience 17 of the region’s unique wineries. Cause what’s better than one winery? A combination of them all!
With more than twenty incredible after-dark experiences poured into the event – and even better wine – you’ll join the region’s vignerons, winemakers, chefs and storytellers for an unforgettable experience.
Here are the key events worth raising a glass or two to…
Opening Night Candlelight Concert
Candles, wine and live music – the perfect combination for a romantic evening or night out with friends. Opening the Dark Side of Wine on Friday 7 August, join all 17 Rutherglen wineries for a live string quartet performance of Ed Sheeran and Coldplay.
Imagine drinking a glass of wine (included as part of your ticket upon entry), whilst staring up at the 19th-century architecture of the All-Saints Estate, lit up by the amber glow of 5,000 candles. It will be the start of a festival to remember.
Friday 7 August | $85 per person | All-Saints Estate | 205 All Saints Road, Wahgunyah, Victoria
Rutherglen’s Secret Cinema
Watching a film and having a glass of wine just got a whole lot better, with the Rutherglen Secret Cinema. As you venture past the muscat barrels, you’ll be transported to a one-of-a-kind theatre for one night only. Whether you attend the family session for A Minecraft Movie or the adults-only session of The Housemaid, rest assured the screen flickering on the historic walls of De Bortoli will be a cinematic experience in itself.
Sunday 9 August | $15 per person | De Bortoli Rutherglen Estate | 13-35 Drummond Street, Rutherglen, Victoria
Stargazing and Night Skies
Picture this: A clear sky filled with stars above you as you enjoy a night full of food, wine and company. Guided by special host Maietta Habets, sit back and identify constellations as you enjoy a cosy night beginning with a warm casserole and dark skies Durif. Cosied up by the vines, use your telescopes to see craters on the moon and extragalactic objects. Learn stories of our First Nations Peoples as you finish the night with a glass of Pfeiffer Rutherglen Muscat. It will truly be an experience that is out of this world (literally).
Friday 14 and Saturday 15 August | $50 per person | Pfeiffer Wines | 167 Distillery Road, Wahgunyah, Victoria
Mulled Wine, S’mores and more
Enjoying the company of others doesn’t always need a grand event. Held at Dinah Wines, enjoy a relaxing and cosy winter night surrounded by a crackling fire as you indulge in your own handcrafted s’mores – no matter if you prefer brie and cured meat or traditional marshmallows and decadent chocolate. And nothing says ‘bougie winter’ like some mulled wine to complement the additional food provided and drinks available. It will be a low-key evening providing the perfect, cosy winter night outing for all.
Friday 14 August | $40 per person | Dinah Wines | 199 Distillery Road, Wahgunyah, Victoria
Legacy Dinner
This grand event was created with purpose. Hosted to showcase the art of winemaking and the people behind it, the Rutherglen Legacy Dinner is back following its inaugural year success.
Each meal will be paired with a carefully curated wine selected by one of four families. Join Andrew Buller Wines, Anderson Winery, Chamber Rosewood Vineyards, and De Bortoli Rutherglen Estate for a four-course meal, giving you a taste of each family’s heritage.
Friday 14 August | $179 per person | Tuileries at De Bortoli Rutherglen Estate | 3 Drummond Street, Rutherglen, Victoria
Deadly Vintage: A Murder at Gracerray
A dinner party is always fun – that is, until you find out there is a killer at your table. Relish an evening sipping Stanton and Killeen Wines, as you search to uncover the truth.
As you come dressed in your period best, the scene around you is set: Rutherglen, 1970. Indulge in GRACE bar + eatery canapés and taste wine – as you search for clues to avenge the festival’s leading committee member. A night filled with fire, drama, twists and turns- will you find the killer or will they find you first?
Saturday 15 August | $150 per person | Stanton and Killeen Wines | 440 Jacks Road, Rutherglen, Victoria
Feature image via Facebook.
