5 indulgent SA food and wine festivals
We’re approaching the coldest time of the year, with winter in full swing, but there’s still lots to do here in South Australia.
Winter is the perfect time to rug up, sit by the fire and enjoy good food, wine and beer; and we’ve found the perfect festivals to help you do just that.
1. Cellar Door Fest Winter Edit
9-10 July 2021
If you enjoyed Cellar Door Fest back in February, or missed it altogether, then you should check out this smaller, boutique festival.
Held at the Adelaide Convention Centre, festivalgoers can sample wines from more than 70 South Australian wineries, under the one roof.
You’ll also be treated to a stellar line-up of local musicians and food that’ll warm you up this winter.
With COVID-19 restrictions in place, tickets are limited for Cellar Door Fest Winter Edit, so pre-purchase your tickets online.
2. Vegan Palooza
8 May 2022
Mindful about what you eat and your impact on the planet? We’ve found a festival for you.
Vegan Palooza, held at the MAB Innovation Hub in Tonsley, is brought to you by the organisers of the Adelaide Vegan Festival.
You’ll find all your favourite vegan food stalls from OMG Donuts and El Diablo Wood Fired Pizza to Lord of the Fries and Okonomiyaki Adelaide.
Don’t forget to complete your visit with a delicious dessert from Sassi Ice Cream. You’ll find intriguing and interesting flavours like sage and pomegranate molasses swirl and Arabic coffee.
3. Adelaide Beer and BBQ Festival
15-17 July 2022
Sink your teeth into a steak and sip refreshing brews at the Adelaide Beer and BBQ Festival. You’ll find everything from Texan-style smoked brisket and ribs to Filipino barbecue and Boston Bay smallgoods at this 2-day festival at the Adelaide Showground.
The festival has beer aficionados covered as well, with more than 30 South Australian breweries showcasing their best brews. Blackwood Brewhouse and SixTwelve Brewing will attend the festival for the first time, so make sure you check out what they have to offer.
4. Winter Reds
27-29 August 2021
Beer and barbecue not your thing? Rather a red wine instead? Well, Winter Reds is perfect for you. Visit the picturesque Adelaide Hills and sit by an open fire, sipping red wine and enjoying the rustic food on offer.
You’ll be spoilt for choice at this festival with wineries like Pike & Joyce, Anderson Hill, Shaw + Smith and Hahndorf Hill offering up some delicious vino for visitors.
If you can’t decide which cellar door to visit, you can purchase tickets for a bus that’ll take you to 3 different locations throughout the day. That way you’ll be able to try the very best of the Adelaide Hills.
5. A Little More Barossa
1-31 August 2021
The Barossa is the perfect place for a weekend getaway. It has so many wineries and restaurants, you could spend a year exploring this wonderful food-producing region.
But if you don’t have time for that, why not visit during August when the region is holding its inaugural A Little More Barossa Festival?
This month-long festival celebrates the Barossa’s wine and food, as well as the region’s people and their stories, through tastings and experiences. There are long lunches, degustations, mystery picnics and masterclasses along with wine, chocolate and cheese tastings.
The events are diverse and offer behind the scenes access to some of the Barossa’s leading food and wine icons. Enjoy a long lunch discovering Peruvian food or learn about making fetta. Hear Hentley Farm Executive Chef Clare Falzon speak about locally grown and foraged produce or devour a high tea while listening to classical music and looking at fine art.
