Seven Things You Need to Experience at This Wine Festival Happening Over the June Long Weekend

When it comes to gastronomic experiences in regional Victoria, Heathcote is hard to top. And at just a 90-minute drive from Melbourne CBD, it's also one of the easiest to reach.

Heathcote really comes to life for its annual food, wine and entertainment festival, Heathcote on Show, held across the Queen's Birthday long weekend, Saturday, June 8–Monday, June 10. Across 30 locations, the region's leading winemakers, chefs, brewers and musicians come together to offer locals and out-of-towners alike a vibrant selection of community activities and epicurean festivities.

Celebrated as one of Australia's top winemaking destinations, Heathcote has more than 25 wineries and 70 vineyards dotted throughout its picturesque hillsides. During the festival, they'll be giving you the chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at their world-class productions through masterclasses and tastings. On top of that, other creative events in the schedule mix viticulture with barbecue, burlesque or Spanish paella. Below, we've picked out seven experiences that make Heathcote on Show one of the best ways to spend the upcoming long weekend.

BEER & BEAST CRAFT BEER DINNER

Winter in central Victoria might be a chilly affair, but there's no better way to overcome this than by indulging in the hearty feast called Beer & Beast. It's hosted by boutique family-run winery The Shiraz Republic and its microbrewery Cornella. Acclaimed chef Justin McPhail of Flight Bar in Bendigo will serve hungry attendees an extravagant dinner, where each course is paired with one of Cornella Brewery's beers. Shuttle buses running between the winery and Heathcote or Bendigo will be available for $20.

Beer & Beast will take place at 6.30pm on Saturday, June 8, at The Shiraz Republic. Tickets cost $100 and can be purchased here.

BURLESQUE DE VINE DINNER AND SHOW

Wine appreciation doesn't always have to be so serious. The producers of Burlesque de Vine know this well — their event brings comedy, audience interaction and some of the best burlesque performers on the planet to the grounds of the Silver Spoon Estate. Headlined by Zelia Rose — who was voted the most influential burlesque performer worldwide in a recent poll run by industry mag 21st Century — this lively party is hosted by the ever-popular Poppy Cherry, who will be joined by fellow performers Iva Grande and duo Greene Megs & Ham. And, you get to enjoy a French-inspired three-course meal alongside, all in the surrounds of a 250-acre off-grid winery and cellar door. A shuttle bus service will run between the Heathcote Information Centre and the Silver Spoon Estate, located 15 minutes from Heathcote town.

Burlesque de Vine will take place at 6.30pm on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9 at Silver Spoon Estate. Tickets cost $110 and can be purchased here.

WEEKEND OF MASTERCLASSES AT SANGUINE ESTATE

The Sanguine Estate has developed some masterful wines since starting production in 1997. For Heathcote on Show, it'll be showing off its knowhow with series of masterclasses. Sanguine Estate winemaker Mark Hunter leads a guided tasting on Saturday, June 8 ($55), where attendees can sample and compare a distinctive selection of back vintages. On Sunday, Goldfields Farmhouse Cheese's Nardia Keene will join Mark for a journey through the pairing of wine and cheese ($49, including four cheeses to take home). Finally, join Nardia once more on Monday for a cheese making class ($145), where you'll produce three types of cheese, then enjoy lunch and wine. All in all, three lessons that will undoubtedly take your next picnic up a notch.

Sanguine Estate's masterclasses will take place across Saturday, June 8–Monday, June 10. To make a booking, head over here.

Bendigo Tourism

DAN KELLY, SPANISH WINE LAUNCH & PAELLA PARTY

Spain's wine regions are some of the best in Europe, but you won't have to travel that far to see what makes them so special. The Shiraz Republic planted its own Spanish-style tempranillo and grenache grapes in 2018 — and now they're ready to enjoy, with this event marking the official launch of the small batch.

To help the winery celebrate, South Melbourne Market's Simply Spanish will be on hand to plate up its deliriously good take on paella. That's not hyperbole — it's twice won best paella outside of Spain at the International Paella Competition. Meanwhile, musician and frequent ARIA nominee Dan Kelly will perform a solo set promising drum machines, sound effects and stories. Sangria on tap completes this rousing launch party.

This party will take place from 6.30pm on Sunday, June 9 at The Shiraz Republic. Tickets cost $60 and can be purchased here.

TASTINGS FROM PEREGRINE RIDGE AT THE MECHANICS INSTITUTE

Situated high on the eastern side of Mount Camel, Peregrine Ridge might appear to be a relatively low-key production, but it has made some spectacular bottles of vino in the past. Founded in 2001, the family business has built a reputation for its shiraz and sparkling shiraz, which have taken home a number of gold trophies over the years. Throughout the festival, Peregrine Ridge will be heading to Mechanics' Institute to host a series of feature tastings and lessons.

Head along on Saturday to get a taste of the 2009 Limited Release 'French Oak' Heathcote Shiraz, plus take part in a lesson on the intricacies of how maturation and oxidation differ between screw caps and corks. Then, on Sunday, it's extending the tasting to six vintages from the range, starting at 2005. Across both days, drop in to find out the differences between winemaking with French and American oak — and hear why the brains behind Peregrine Ridge eventually decided to use both.

Free tastings will be available at Mechanics' Institute between 10am–5pm across June 8–10. 

HEATHCOTE TOWN FESTIVAL

Head into the serene Barrack Reserve for a true celebration of the long weekend at the Wine Food and Fun town festival on Saturday`. With live music, local cuisine, farmyard animals and artisanal market stalls, this community event is a great way to introduce yourself to the flavours and culture of Heathcote. If you're looking to sample the work of many of the best local winemakers all in one spot, the 'Taste of the Cellar Doors' showcase runs from 10am–1pm and features a variety of wonderful corks being popped.

Heathcote Town Festival will run from 10am–3pm on Saturday, June 8. Entry is free.

HEATHCOTE WINE HUB

There's no better place to taste the local vino than at the Heathcote Wine Hub, the region's year-round tasting centre. Each day there are 24 different wines to sample, so you can compare and contrast a host of quaffable bottles. It'll also be serving up live music every Saturday and Sunday from 12-2pm, and the courtyard is a great spot to rest and enjoy a glass of wine with a pizza or a steaming hot toastie. If things get a little cold, there's an open fireplace with more than enough space for everyone to gather around.

Heathcote Wine Hub is open 9am–5.30pm every day.

Head to the Heathcote on Show website for full event and program details.