Winter Shiraz Weekend Festival

Overview

Across one weekend in July, if you're in the Geelong region and hankering for a glass of wine, then you'd better like Shiraz. Unsurprisingly given its name, that's the varietal in the spotlight at the Winter Shiraz Weekend Festival, which comes to the area's vineyards and wineries on Saturday, July 7 and Sunday, July 8.

It's a choose-your-own-adventure kind of fest, with wine producers in the Bellarine, the Moorabool Valley and Surf Coast all taking part — so pick your favourites and head on by. Keep an eye on the event website for the full program; however you can expect to pair your glasses of Shiraz with delicious dishes, chat with winemakers and — because it's the perfect weather for it — enjoy a tipple or several by the fire.

If you head on down a night early, Friday night tastings will also be taking place at a selection of Geelong retailers. And, while you can expect parts of the lineup to be ticketed, the sampling is free — as is entry to the various wineries.