The Dark Side of Wine Festival was a resounding success with seven-hundred people attending various events held at local wineries across the 10-day program.
Winemakers of Rutherglen Executive Officer Annalee Nolan was thrilled with the response to the inaugural event and look forward to it becoming a much-loved annual fixture on the winter wine calendar.
“We loved sharing the secrets and stories of Rutherglen's world-famous wines with locals and visitors alike who came and explored the Dark Side of Wine with us," Ms Nolan said.
Uncasked at the Convent
Over one-hundred guests masked up for the grand opening of the Dark Side of Wine festival in the historic and newly renovated Rutherglen Convent.
Guests followed their maps throughout each of the historic rooms, discovering Rutherglen wineries, Durif and Muscat tastings, roving music and delicious cuisine.
At the conclusion of the discovery evening, guests were then led to the Rutherglen Convent Brewery where they were welcomed to the event by international wine expert Joe Wadsack.
“There are very few regions of the world this small that can claim they make one of the world’s best wines,” The highly acclaimed wine expert said.
Guests were indulged in more food, wine and local jazz band Sweet Buzz who filled the dance floor to finish the evening.
Stanton and Killeen
Stanton and Killeen’s ‘Deadly Vintage’ Murder Mystery night was a sell out and stand out, with over fifty attendees following clues and uncovering the murderer in the room. Catering by GRACE Bar + Eatery, the menu took a modern spin on 1920s inspired dishes, with everyone concluding the evening with a Muscat or Topaque while the murderer was cuffed and escorted out of the room by the detective.
A Secret Taste with the Chambers Family
Guests enjoyed a night of family secrets and wine discovery at Chambers Rosewood Vineyards hosted by Michael Chambers.
Entering behind the curtains, guests were welcomed with a mulled wine and the sweet acoustic tunes from local duo Tilly & Milla.
Entering the hidden door, guests were led through historic barrels, and tasting stocks along the way.
Lit by candles and fairy lights, the historic cellar then opened into a mingling area where guests then got to taste the bottled wine of the stocks tasted throughout the evening.
Dive into the Dark - Warrabilla Wines
Hosted by father and daughter duo Andrew and Amy Smith, alongside international wine expert Joe Wadsack, over forty guests were at the sell-out event.
Dive into the Dark was a comparative tasting of eight full-bodied international wines and some very special back vintages of Warrabilla Wines to compare.
Guests were treated to a post vintage feast catered for by local business Savoy Truffle and Co.
Pfeiffer Wines Stargazing
Pfeiffer Wines hosted a stargazing journey with all three evenings completely sold out. Guests were treated to a clear night skies above the vineyard and uncovered the local Indigenous dream time stories of the stars.
Guests with Pfeiffer Durif or Muscat in hand were immersed under the skies and treated to a winter warmer dinner in the cellar door.