The 2023 programme is jam packed with tastings, masterclasses and special events with 17 local cellar doors offering visitors the chance to discover perfect pairings of their award-winning wines combined with fresh local produce created by some of the region's top chefs.
The event kicks off on Friday night March 10 and finishes on Sunday, March 12 with many highlights over the weekend including the Harvest Celebration Dinner at Campbells Wines (Friday night), Sunset Wine Down at Pfeiffer Wines (Saturday night) and a Wine and Macaron Masterclass at John Gehrig Wines (all day Saturday and Sunday).
The popular Dinner in the Vines event at All Saints Estate also returns on the Sunday with over 200 people expected to attend. Guests will enjoy a four-course meal matched with the estate’s finest wines.
Last year’s event drew an estimated crowd of 3000 people over the long weekend and similar numbers are expected again this year with wine and food lovers from Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and regional Victoria expected to flock to the region.
Cofield Wines event co-ordinator Taylor Sturzaker said local wineries were keen to welcome new and returning visitors to the region.
“Tastes of Rutherglen is about putting Rutherglen on the map and highlighting what the region has to offer with the exquisite wine and food offerings,” Ms Sturzaker said.
“We at Cofield Wines love engaging with everyone from first-time wine drinkers to emerging winos, to those who have a wealth of wine knowledge and experience.:
Cofield Wines will be offering a range of activities for the whole family to enjoy kicking off with ‘Bubbles, Burgers, and Beers’ on the Friday night with great live music.
“We also have an amazing masterclass on offer on Saturday and Sunday, 11am each day, called ‘Into the Darkness, blindfolded wine tasting’.
“Guests get to heighten their senses and experience a wine tasting like no other, using all of their senses expect one, their sight. The experience includes a sensory food and wine matching, all whilst blindfolded.
“Saturday and Sunday, experience award winning wines with delicious food pairings from Footsteps Café and Restaurant. We have our wine bar, popular wine cocktails, local beers, live music, and kids’ entertainment.
“Everyone is really looking forward to hosting a weekend full of fun for everyone to enjoy. We hope the sun is out and puts on a show for everyone attending.”
Coinciding with Tastes of Rutherglen will be the Tastes of Art Prize held at Memorial Hall in Rutherglen. With over 200 artists exhibiting in the annual prize, visitors will be treated to a variety of local and regional art including paintings, sculptures and photography.
Doors to the sixth annual art show will open 10am-4am over the long weekend and continue until March 19.
For more information and tickets to Tastes of Rutherglen visit www.explorerutherglen.com.au. Festival admission is $40 per person with bus services available at an extra cost.
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