Celebrating cabernet

THE Coonawarra Wine Region is set to welcome back one of South Australia’s most anticipated wine festivals, with the return of the Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations this October.

Running from 1–31 October, the month-long celebration will showcase the very best of Coonawarra’s famed Cabernet Sauvignon alongside a host of food, music and community experiences designed to engage and delight visitors.

Widely celebrated as Australia’s other Red Centre, Coonawarra is renowned for crafting some of the world’s finest Cabernets — from elegant single varietals to classic blends, sparkling styles and beyond.

The immersive festival program, boasting more than 50 events, focuses attention on the region’s signature variety, emphasising the elegance, drinkability and aging ability of Coonawarra Cabernet, whilst also highlighting the evolution and versatility of the variety.

Coonawarra Vignerons Events and Marketing Manager Heidi Guyett said the program has been carefully curated to appeal to a wide variety of visitors.

“Eventgoers can expect a diverse and dynamic program ranging from family-friendly entertainment to indulgent fine-wine experiences. From hands on workshops and high end dinners, to relaxed family days on the lawn, the celebrations are about more than just wine—they’re about community, discovery and connection. The event draws visitors from across the country who come to explore the wines, the people and the places that make Coonawarra unique.”

One of the undisputed highlights of the Cabernet Celebrations program is the intimacy of the events and the opportunity this provides for people to meet the makers and the families at the heart of the wine community.

“Aside from tasting the exquisite wines of the region, visitors will have the opportunity to dine and meet with winemakers, viticulturists and boutique winery owners, go behind the scenes in the winery and even sample wines that are yet to be officially released, all the while learning about the process and the passion that goes into Coonawarra’s famed wines,” Mrs Guyett added.

The festivities will open in true celebratory style with the ever-popular Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations Golf Day on Friday 3 October, where players tee off at Penola Golf Club in a social Ambrose competition matched with sparkling wine, gourmet food and Coonawarra’s signature cabernets.

The Labour Day long weekend that follows sets the scene for a family fiesta, with live music, wood-fired pizzas, outdoor cinema, lawn games and the warmth of country hospitality spilling across cellar doors. At Zema Estate, Mrs Zema’s homemade pizzas are on the menu served up with live tunes, while Hollick Estate will transform its vineyard into an open-air cinema, screening the Broadway hit Wicked under the stars.

As the month unfolds, visitors will be invited to roll up their sleeves and “Blend It Up”, with several wineries offering interactive workshops such as paint and sip sessions and Make your own Blend activities, along with innovative takes on cabernet-inspired creations – cocktails, sangrias and event Cabernet gin!

One of the most highly anticipated weekends, Back to Our Roots, will pay tribute to the festival’s origins with traditional cellar door experiences, long lunches and community-spirited events.

Central to this is the Cabernet Decade[nce] Tasting on Friday 17 October, where more than a dozen producers will present a rare line-up of aged cabernets alongside their current releases, followed by an indulgent degustation dinner at Ottelia.

“Not all of Coonawarra’s producers have cellar doors, so this is a great opportunity for them to be involved in the program, to showcase their signature wines and introduce their range to the attending wine lovers,” said Mrs Guyett.

The program also features unique dining experiences such as Raidis Estate’s Murder in the Vines – Mystery Dinner, blending theatrical fun with the history of one of Australia’s most iconic wine regions, and DiGiorgio Family Wines’ hands-on pasta making class followed by a long Italian lunch.

Dog lovers won’t be left out either, with the Woof & Wine Walk providing the chance to stroll between six wineries with a glass in hand and furry friends in tow, on Saturday 11 October.

Interactive week by week guides outlining the offerings can be viewed on the festival page on the Coonawarra.org website, in addition to the pdf program which is available to download.

For those venturing to the region, navigating your way around Coonawarra is a breeze with the region’s cellar doors all scattered along one stretch of road. A shuttle bus hop-on, hop-off service is available on weekends to transport festivalgoers to and from events. Tickets for the service can be booked online, and prospective passengers are encouraged to secure their seat in advance.

Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations are presented by Coonawarra Vignerons and proudly supported by the South Australian Tourism Commission through the Regional Events Fund.

For the full program of events and to book tickets, visit www.coonawarra.org/ccc-october-2025