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Sydney Wine Festival Supporting NSW wines!

By Nature Art Bubbles

A Celebration of Wine, Water and Wonder

Sydney does festivals, concerts and sporting events!
When the city opens its heart to wine, it becomes an extraordinary experience ; a feast for the senses, where the Harbour sparkles, the Opera House glows, and some of the best of Australian vineyards pour their stories by the glass.

Welcome to the Sydney Cellar Door; a FUN & vibrant gathering along The Rocks, where heritage and innovation meet along side the water of Circular Quay.

Where Wine Meets the Water

There’s something intoxicating about sipping fine wine by the sea.
At the Sydney Wineries Festival, the harbour breeze carries the perfume of summer, the clink of crystal (actually plastic) glasses blends with the rhythm of buskers in The Rocks, and the skyline creates a stage that even Bordeaux or Tuscany would envy.

The event sprawls infront of the Museum of Contemporary Art, transforming the foreshore into a sensory playground. Cellar doors pop up along the grass, each offering a taste of NSW wines: Orange, Mudgee, Port Macquarie, the Hunter and more. It is some of Australia’s BEST for sure!

This isn’t just a tasting. It’s a journey through the terroirs of NSW, without ever leaving the Quay.

A Showcase of Australia’s Finest

From the crisp mineral whites of De Beaurepaire to the refined méthode traditionnelle sparklings of Cassegrain, and the robust, soulful reds of Glandore, the festival highlights the incredible breadth of Australian winemaking.

You’ll find:

  • Cool-climate Chardonnay from Orange and Tumbarumba
  • Elegant Pinot Noir from De Beaurepaire
  • Earthy, complex Shiraz from the Hunter wineries
  • Vibrant Tempranillo, Fiano, and Nebbiolo from the new-wave innovators redefining Australian wine! Giddy UP

Each stall tells a story. One of the things I love most about a wine festival is getting to “know” the wine maker!

Each pour holds a philosophy about land, the patience and the passion. The conversations are as rich as the vintages.

The Rocks: Where Heritage Meets the Modern Palate

Wandering The Rocks during festival weekend feels like walking through a living gallery.
The mix of old-world charm and new-world creativity mirrors the evolution of Australian wine itself.

This is wine culture at its most joyful, inclusive and alive.

The Art of the pour

What sets the Sydney Wineries Festival apart isn’t just the setting , it’s the curation.
The festival celebrates wine as art ; every varietal, a palette; every vineyard, a brushstroke. Winemakers aren’t just pouring drinks; they’re sharing their craft, their failures, their triumphs. You leave not just with your palate expanded, but your heart warmed.

Some I have never heard of and kudos to Cassegrain for exploring (and nailing) incredible blends. Please explore their incredible blends as they are smooth and eclectic.

It’s also a moment to reflect on sustainability. the quiet revolution taking place in vineyards across Australia. Many of the participating winemakers practise low-intervention, organic, or regenerative viticulture, proof that excellence and ethics can coexist beautifully. Many of the vineyards commited to low intervention such as Tractorless Winery with Melania and partner with their winery in the Southern Highlands.

A Toast to the City that Never Stops Creating

Sydney’s energy is contagious. One moment, you’re sampling a sparkling Semillon under the sails of the Opera House; the next, you’re dancing barefoot on the grass at First Fleet Park, holding a glass of Hunter Shiraz as the ferries glide past.

The festival caters for collectors, casual sippers, or just someone who loves being outdoors with good company, it’s impossible not to be swept up in the moment.

Raise Your Glass

Sydney’s Wineries Festival isn’t just an event.
It’s a celebration of everything Australia does best; creativity, craftsmanship and conversations! All poured into one unforgettable weekend.

So next time it rolls around, mark the date, gather your people, and make your way to the Rocks in Sydney. Sam xx

PS: please support the above mentioned wineries. They are all local wineries meeting face to face with their customers.

Luis Canas Bodega (winery) La Rioja

This family run winery Luis Canas Bodega is in the La Rioja region in north Spain. La Rioja is about 80km from Bilboa and has many little villages with boutique hotels.

Front wine tasting bar

Some people (especially groups) will often take a cab from Zaragoza or hiring a car will give you independence.

We found this fantastic vineyard in the village of Villabuena de Álava and stayed at Hotel Viura.

You can go for a wine tasting at Luis Canas but I highly recommend a tour.

Wine tasting flight

The vivacious knowledgable Carmen will take you on an exceptional tour, explaining all the grapes grown in the region, some history and finishing on the cusp of the vineyards valley of grape vines.

The cellar was impressive!

With a large production and representing many local wine growers, they are committed to sustainability, integrity and looking after the little farmers.

Carmen and excellent guide!

It is hard to put into perspective the gentle sound that the vines make, the smells that the wine emits and the tastes of the region on your palate. It’s a personal experience that has to be taken by you.

The beautiful vines of the bodega

I highly recommend a tour and visit of this vineyard. Book a tour here and find out more.

Laguardia the medieval town in La Rioja

High on a hill and easy to find is the foot traffic only medieval town of Laguardia.

With a centuries old history there is much to see and experience.

I would recommend the bodega and wine tour with cueva DorreTxe. A small family run bodega (winery) in the middle of town.

From the outside…

It costs 5-10 euros per person and includes wine tasting.

It is a short punchy life changing experience.

You walk down a few stories under ground seeing the still in use wine making tools. A bramble bunch that serves as a filter for the fruit from the wine.

The stair well underneath to the cellars

Underneath the cave opens up. Apparently during the Teslars rule there were many wars. These spand from 10th century for 4 centuries.

During this time the women and children were often hiding in the caves. Men would bring food, hunted animals and fruit. At one point all the 325 caves were connected as one tunnel. They were sectioned off in the 18th century and now many of the families have their own cave.

This one is used for wine and entertaining.

The wine is boutique, small in production. One Tinto and one blanco.

They also make the local liquor from blueberries. Perfect as a post meal digestiv.

You can book here or turn up and try your luck.

Pressing Matters – a Premium Tasmanian Wine

Set away from the main stretch of wines through Coal River, Tasmania but only thirty minutes from the heart of Hobart, is Pressing Matters.

A small vineyard set on the dry mountain side of Tea Tree.

The winery was established in 1986 and is one of the original in the area. With 54 gold medals and 37 trophies, these are some serious wines!

Wine judge and wine lovers, Greg and his wife Michelle have had the property for many years and wine tasting is by appointment only. Call the property here.

We are met by Michelle for our tasting and try all of their wines. They have three rieslings (which are particularly good in Tassie). They are names according to their residual content and unashamedly I like the 69 the best!

The 2018 Riesling R69 is a full yet delicate wine. It reminds me of the Jim Barry Riesling in so much that they both pull off the sweet factor as it is balanced with a depthy wine. It’s almost too nice though and one can forget it is alcoholic but I guess that can be said for all wines!

The Morningside range have been blended with their neighbouring vineyard to produce some very nice wines. The Morningside Pinot Noir doesn’t bounce my socks off as much as their own pure Pinot Noir but is definitely quaffable. The Cabernet is also a lovely drop with some earthern over tones but note as bold and grandiose as the Barossa Cabs we have come used to. I also like this one alot.

Definitely worth calling ahead to arrange a tasting especially if you like and know your wines. Michelle is very welcoming and feels more like a lost friend.

They have a wine club which looks pretty special too.

Waiheke Island – Friday Nights

Discovery is the key to great adventures and unveiling the best restaurant, vineyard or bay on the island!  

It’s a Friday night in Waiheke and after a fabulous happy hour at the chirpy and happy Arcadia in Palm Beach we were looking for a fun vibe and great food. 

Arcadia is a cool little establishment in Palm Beach that offers breakfast, lunch, happy hour and nibbles and dinner. 

Rebecca and Daniel took over from the last owners a year ago and gave the old fish and chip take away place a face lift. The food is good, the location amazing and the staff very friendly.

On this afternoon it is raining outside and we’re after a chill and some tunes.

Happy hour is 3-6pm and we venture in to check things out.

The champagne is awesome and so much cheaper than anywhere else on Waiheke that you feel like it is home. 

With no rush to leave we play Jenga and Uno while people stream in and stream out. The owners are awesome and happy to chat and shoot the breeze. I would highly recommend even if you are not staying in Palm Beach just to get away from the mainstream of Waiheke.

After this we pop home and taxi to Oneroa. A previous favourite of mine, Aperitivo bar is wonderful on a Friday and Saturday nights. 

Cosy and warm, you’ll find a guy playing some great tunes and a real buzz. The wines are sensational and on this night we are served by Chris who is very friendly and explains the wine list and nibbles. We settle on a pre-dinner of citrus olives and the Obesidan red. It was a winery that we didn’t make during the day but one we wanted to go to.

After our yummy pre-dinners we head in search of dinner. 

There are many choices in town but it’s getting on for 9pm and many of the trendy places like Thai and Oyster Bar have a low key vibe. 

We venture down off the road and discover The Courtyard. 

What a find.

Great red wines (we chose an Argentinian wine) and great vibe. People are chatting and the staff are European world-class. 

Matt from Belgium, our waiter helps us decide as the menu is tantalising and exciting.

We choose Canadain scallops and cauliflower mash, and with a side of potato gratin.

OMG – the food is amazing. The price is perfect and the food dazzling. 

I’m giving this restaurant 4.9/5 for food, service and location. The only reason, the only reason it drops a 0.1 is because the views are not over the ocean. But truly you don’t need to look outward, if the company is good, then they will take care of the rest. 

Pooleys Vineyard Tasmania

For years I have been traveling to Richmond just outside of Hobart and have passed by the Pooleys Wine Sign. I was pleasantly surprised to find a world class facility offering world class wines when I ventured in the other day.

The vineyard has been around for years and the grapes are sourced from 2 of their vineyards.

On the wall by the tasting bar is a cool cross section of the terraine of the different properties which are vastly different even though they are only 20 minutes away.

The wines themselves are great – pricey but worth it.

I particularly like the subtle flavours of the reisling and chardonnay.

Tastings are $5 pp but if you purchase a wine this is waivered. I highly recommend popping in on the way into or out of Richmond and if you go on the weekends they can be very busy with their woodfire cafe outside.

Eden Restaurant Mt Tamborine

It’s a glorious winter’s day and it’s school holidays on the Gold Coast.

I’m up on Mt Tamborine which is about a 45 minute drive from central Gold Coast.  There are a few ways to the summit and the ridge along the top is scattered with vineyards, restaurants, coffee houses, walks, a sky walk and the part where my daughter is going, Thunderbird park.

I drop her off to do the tree top challenge and I head off to a vineyard to do some work.

My friend owns Cedar Creek Wineries and their sparkling white is fantastic. Unfortunately they are booked out for lunch so I head next door to Mason Wineries.

I am pleasantly surprised!

Run by a worldly couple Dylan and Suraya, the vineyard has a happy feel.

The restaurant is called Eden Restaurant. 

The menu is different – tapas style smaller bites, with plates to share and a couple of salads.

The wines are also pretty good and reasonably priced.

Today I have the panko chicken, quinoa salad. It is quite different. Jalopenos, rocket, corn chips and capsicum salsa. It is light and yummy!

This is an interview I did with Chef Dylan. I love his commitment and passion for sourcing out real food!