Everyone loves tasting their way around the Yarra Valley, but with hundreds of producers and some very big names, sometimes some of the smaller players get overlooked. But once a year they band together for Shedfest, a weekend festival celebrating the Yarra Valley's smaller wineries.
This is the annual Shedfest, which has always focused on family-owned wineries. Venues open their sheds (where they store equipment and barrels) to the public for special tastings, as well as live music, food and entertainment. Some wineries even have games (think croquet, pétanque and lawn games), so you can make the most of spring weather and make a whole day of it.
There'll be 14 boutique, family-run cellar doors this year for wine lovers to enjoy two days of tastings, carefully curated pairing bites under $25, fire pits, stunning views and live music.
Check out Lawn Games at Sutherland Estate, a free family petting zoo at Tokar Estate, a classic car display at Steels Gate and kids colouring books at Yileena Park. This year, two new wineries—Yileena Park and Helen's Hill Estate—are participating for the first time in the festival, while Six Acres and Seville Estate are also returning for the first time in several years.
This year, the festivities will take place on October 12 and 13. Tickets are a flat fee of $35, which includes unlimited tastings from 100 Yarra Valley wines – including sparkling, rosé, red, white, orange, pet net and dessert wines – across the entire weekend. Mark your calendars, vino lovers!
Early bird tickets with 10% off are available to purchase via the website with the code EARLYBIRD.