Bar set High: The Food and Wine Festivals Sweeping Victoria’s High Country this Summer

Victoria’s High Country is proving itself the place to be over the coming months as Australia transitions from Summer into Autumn, playing host to four of Australia’s best food and wine festivals across February and March alone. 

Each event will bring with it a slightly different atmosphere, accomodating different corners of the wine and food consumer market. 

The first event in the list is the Long Lunch Series: From Sea to Summit at Mt Buller. Happening on the 10th of February, the three-course lunch experience is a celebration of the best of both land and sea, completed by a drink on arrival and panoramic views of the Victorian Alps. More info can be found here. 

The next event in the calendar is Feastival Fall Creek, a commemoration to all of the region’s best food, wine, culture, music and arts. Located in Falls Creek Village, activities will include a paint and sip brunch, a degustation lunch focusing on High Country flavours, live comedy performances and musical acts from Aussie icons such as The Temper Trap, Thelma Plum, and Holy Holy. The event will take place from the 16th to the 18th of February. For more details click here.  

Heading into March and all wine lovers should be tempted by Tastes of Rutherglen, a two-day festival over the 9th and 10th dedicated to one of Australia’s most quintessential wine regions. Featuring more than 16 cellar doors and with more than 200 wines on offer, Tastes of Rutherglen offers industry professionals and wine enthusiasts alike an unparalleled opportunity to partake in masterclasses, pick up invaluable behind-the-scenes insights, and, of course, to enjoy the very best wines Rutherglen has to offer; all paired with the region’s finest cuisine. Find more info here.  

Rounding out the quartet is Beechworth’s The High Country Hop. Run by Bridge Road Brewers, this event is designed to shine a spotlight on the Victorian hop harvest season. The one-day festival will take place on the 23rd of March and will give participants the opportunity to sample and learn about a series of unique ales produced by a selection of local brewers using fresh, locally-sourced hops. Also in the mix will be local winemakers and distillers, all backed by five hours of live music. More info here.