The Coonawarra Wine Region plays host to a full calendar of exciting events throughout the year. From Summer to Autumn, Winter to Spring, Coonawarra's Wineries are actively involved in delivering a range of events to showcase their premium wines, for which Coonawarra is renowned, along with the fabulous produce of the Limestone Coast region.

Discover the annual events of our region, with this overview of the feature events and festivals hosted throughout the year.

For more events and to see what's on when you're visiting, be it this weekend or later in the year, check out our live events calendar.

Held in January at the picturesque Penola Racecourse, the Coonawarra Vignerons Cup is one of the major tourist drawcards to the region.

Each year, the Coonawarra Vignerons hosts a premium trackside marquee, welcoming over 500 guests from all parts of Australia to enjoy a fully catered day out featuring gourmet food offerings with a smorgasbord of Coonawarra premium wines, live entertainment and thoroughbred racing action.

Additional highlights of the day include Fashions in the MARQUEE, live imperial wine auction and super sweep.

FRIDAY 17 JANUARY 2025
📍 PENOLA RACECOURSE

Bringing the whole Coonawarra Community together, the Vintage Launch is a celebration of the upcoming harvest. Hosted by the Coonawarra Vignerons, it heralds the new year, as growers and producers farewell to the season that was.

From the cellar hands, vineyard workers and machine operators, to lab managers, winemakers and vignerons.... and everybody in between, it is a significant time of the year and an occasion to be celebrated!

WEDNESDAY 5 MARCH 2025, 10am- 11am
📍 COONAWARRA SIDING

When darkness falls the fun begins!

Experience the thrills, excitement and the lights of vintage as Coonawarra wineries open their doors to visitors at the peak of grave harvest (vintage) across two nights in April.

Go behind the scenes at Rymill Coonawarra as they invite guests to explore the winery by night, experience ever popular Greek Feast at Raidis Estate, and enjoy top-notch wines, fabulous foods and dance the night away at both events as harvesters buzz around the vineyards well into the night.

Friday 4th + Saturday 5th April, 2025

Celebrate the region’s rich history and artistic talents over four days in May with working artists, performances, exhibitions, workshops, walking tours, fabulous food and fine wine.

Celebrating the literary and arts heritage of Penola, partnered with Coonawarra’s fine wines and regional premium produce, the event is one of regional Australia’s leading arts festivals, drawing artists and visitors from across the country.

Coonawarra Vignerons are proud Festival Partners of the PC Arts Festival

FRIDAY 16 - SUNDAY 18 MAY, 2025

Visit Coonawarra during July and be treated to a rare opportunity to taste and buy “back vintage”, cellared wines.

Experience for yourself the superior ageing ability of Coonawarra wines, as wineries dust off rare cellar treasures that are otherwise not available for day to day tasting. Choose from over 40 events and activities, including exclusive wine tastings, divine dinner events, lavish lunches and perfect pairings. All aim to showcase the breadth of beautiful wines, our emerging food credentials, and the warmth and hospitality that is so … Coonawarra.

Free and ticketed tastings and events 1-31 July in various venues.

Each year in August, Coonawarra's Producers set off around the country to bring the metro-centres of Australia a taste of Coonawarra.

Hosted by the Coonawarra Vignerons this series of events showcases over 100 wines, from up to 25 Coonawarra producers in 4 capital cities. In 2025 we’ll also be expanding the event series to a several regional centres.

The Wine Tasting Roadshow events are a fabulous opportunity for and wine lovers, trade and media alike to meet the makers and taste first-hand the premium wines of the Coonawarra Wine Region.

2025 ROADSHOW SCHEDULE

REGIONAL VICTORIAN EVENT SERIES:
BALLARAT- Wednesday 25 June
GEELONG- Thursday 26 June
HAMILTON- Friday 27 June
WARRNAMBOOL - Sunday 29 June

METRO EVENT SERIES:
MELBOURNE - Wednesday 13 August
NOOSA - Friday 15 August
BRISBANE - Sunday 17 August
ADELAIDE - Friday 29 August
SYDNEY - Sunday 31 August

Each year in October the Coonawarra Wine Region celebrates its iconic wine variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, with a month long wine festival.

Featuring a program of over 50 events and unique tasting experiences, including an Ambrose Golf Day, combined regional tasting (featuring Coonawarra Cabernets from the cellar alongside the current release), winemaker dinners, Sunday sessions and an iconic masterclass.

Wine, dine, blend, taste and graze your days away with fabulous food & wine events, music, winery tours, family activities and more at cellar doors and wineries across the region.

There is barrel loads of fun to be had with free and ticketed tastings and events at wineries across the region.

For lovers of golf and wine, the annual Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations Golf Day is a guaranteed great day out.

Held on the Friday of the SA Labour Day October Long weekend, teams of 4 are invited to register for an all-inclusive Ambrose event at the picturesque Penola Golf Course. Enjoy fabulous food and world-class wines, as teams hit the green with the who’s who of the Coonawarra Wine Region.

Hosted by the Coonawarra Vignerons, the event is proudly presented by the Limestone Coast's SAFM + TripleM radio stations.

FRIDAY 3 OCTOBER 2025
📍 PENOLA GOLF COURSE

Offering 1km, 6km, 12km and half marathon events along with a 'wobbly winery walk' and a mini fun run for the kiddies, the Coonawarra Running Festival is an all -abilities fundraising event for Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation.

Coonawarra Vignerons is a proud sponsor of this event.

SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2025