There's a Huge Wine Festival Taking Over This Sydney Harbour Island

Congratulations. If your answer to the ‘what would you take to a desert island?’ question involves an aged bottle of shiraz and a blissful soundtrack to match (fresh water, schmesh schmater) your hypothetical fancies are now gold- and berry-hued reality. For one glorious weekend this November, little known Sydney Harbour outcrop Clark Island will be transformed into Wine Island — a three-day premium wine festival promising tastings over 100 new wave and traditional drops, complimentary masterclasses, cooking demos and treasure hunts.

“Wine Island is the first of its kind for Clark Island and Sydney Harbour,” says festival founder and director Kristen Francis. “We’re in the unique position of taking over an island and transforming it into our own kind of paradise for three days.”

With a name alone enough to turn oenophiles everywhere a degree of dizzy usually only experienced after the fourth glass of merlot, the sadly temporary oasis will be scattered with wine and food huts showcasing some of the best local viticulturists and kitchen operations, including Mr Riggs, All Saints Estate, Bar H and Applejack. (See comprehensive lists here and here.) And, since the island is teeny tiny with an area of less than one hectare, the stroll from pinot gris to freshly shucked oyster will never be far, and always accompanied by dreamy island beats.

General admission tickets ($79.90) include vintage ferry transport to and from the island with a glass of sparking on board, ten wine tastings, masterclasses and your own wine glass from Koonara Wines. For the real fancypantses, the VIP package ($149.90) gives you all that plus a complimentary seafood and cheese bar, licence to sip away to your heart’s content with unlimited tastings (not a challenge), and access to the Island Bar, where the nation’s top sommeliers will pour premium VIP-only wines into your shiny waiting glasses.

Even though Clark Island is otherwise now basically deserted, back in the 19th century it was apparently a popular picnic destination for well-to-do Sydneysiders, who’d spend their days collecting oysters, drinking champagne, flirting and romping about. Alive today, we reckon they’d be at this shindig in a heartbeat.

Wine Island is happening from November 13 to 15 on Clark Island. Tickets are on sale Tuesday, September 1 from Wine Island's website.