The Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations is an annual event in October highlighting the premium wines produced in the Coonawarra region.
The event, which features many activities for wine enthusiasts, foodies, and families, is one of the most anticipated in the community calendar.
Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations 2024 Dates & Participating Wineries
The region’s top talent in food, wine, and music combine to provide visitors with a world-class experience for the senses.
It’s also known for its iconic activities, including the Retrospective Wine Tasting and the Masterclass.
Week 1 – Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations Long Weekend
Cruise into Coonawarra for a fun-filled week with your family and friends, and make the most of the SA Long weekend! Celebrate, educate and activate your senses with an array of bespoke tastings, food and wine experiences and events featuring Coonawarra’s champion variety- Cabernet Sauvignon.
There are activities to delight and amuse all ages. Hit the Coonawarra Wineries Walking Trail, or take to the greens for a round of golf and enjoy a wine or two with the who’s who of Coonawarra at the picturesque Penola Golf course.
Bring the whole family to relax and enjoy pizza and tunes at Raidis Estate, or tuck into some authentic Turkish street food at Katnook Estate. Live it up with long weekend vibes served up all weekend at Brand’s Laira, with sweet treats and produce plates at various wineries in the region. The cellar doors are equipped with oodles of indoor and outdoor toys to ensure the kids have as much fun as the adults.
From cheese to chocolate, oysters to pies, light bites to long lazy lunches, intimate dinners, and family fiestas, you won’t be left hungry this weekend.
And let’s not forget the star of the show – Cabernet! You’ll have the opportunity to discover why Coonawarra is regarded as one of the most premium Cabernet-producing regions in the world. Taste, compare, savour and celebrate Coonawarra’s signature variety at cellar doors across the region.
Week 2- It’s Time to Blend it Up
This week, it’s all about the Blend… Cabernet doesn’t taste great; it is also the ideal blending variety. To showcase this, wineries offer a range of tastings featuring Cabernet blends at their Cellar Doors.
Not only can you celebrate, educate and activate your senses with an array of bespoke tastings, but you can also try to create your own Coonawarra blend – yes, that’s right! Try your hand at blending your own wine!
Aside from the blending activities, a tour and intimate tasting of Zema Estate and Digiorgio Family wines will give you a glimpse behind the scenes.
There are plenty of options to graze your day away, with produce platters and picnic packs available at many cellar doors across the region. If long lunching is more your thing, be sure to reserve your table at Ottelia Restaurant or dine with Hollick Estates, which this weekend will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary with a lavish Long Lunch.
And for those wanting to turn it up, acclaimed international performed Michelle Pearson will be cooking AND singing up a storm at Brand’s Laira for a night of Comfort Food Cabaret on Friday night!
From cheese to chocolate, light bites to long lazy lunches – you won’t be left hungry this weekend.
And let’s not forget the star of the show – Cabernet! You’ll have the opportunity to discover why Coonawarra is regarded as one of the most premium Cabernet-producing regions in the world. Taste, compare, savour and celebrate Coonawarra’s signature variety at cellar doors across the region.
Round up your mates, grab the kids and cruise into Coonawarra for a day in wine country, or treat yourself and make a weekend of it!
Week 3- Back to our Roots
This week hails back to what once was the single festival weekend of Cabernet Celebrations… Celebrate, educate and activate your senses with an array of wine experiences and events featuring Coonawarra’s champion variety- Cabernet Sauvignon.
There is every opportunity to taste some exquisite Coonawarra Cabernets at various events across the weekend. The region’s producers and winemakers will come together at an exclusive “meet the maker” tasting event showcasing 10-year-old Coonawarra cabernets alongside current releases – on Friday, 18th October.
Coonawarra’s esteemed Cabernet Masterclass returns this weekend, so if you consider yourself a wine connoisseur or want to expand your global wine knowledge, don’t miss this Masterclass at Parker Coonawarra Estate.
Immerse yourself in food and wine over the weekend with a sparkling cabernet breakfast and a range of lunch and dinner options on offer, including the return of Majella’s ever-popular Paella Fiesta, Mrs Zema’s authentic Italian pizzas and DiGiorgios delectable Beef & Cabernet Pies.
The highly sought-after combined wineries degustation dinner at Pipers of Penola is a highlight for those seeking an intimate culinary experience hosted by five Coonawarra winemakers.
There is no shortage of tastings to be enjoyed all weekend long… so gear up for a jam-packed weekend!
2024 Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations Golf Day
For lovers of golf and wine, the annual Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations Golf Day is a guaranteed great day out.
Tee off the SA Labour Day Long Weekend in South Australia’s premier red wine region at the 7th annual Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations Golf Day presented by SAFM & TripleM.
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. Be treated to a glass of sparkling cabernet and a gourmet breaky treat on arrival, as well as BBQ lunch and post-match nibbles paired with a selection of Coonawarra Wines post-golf.
There are team and individual novelty prizes to be won, including the title of Champion Team and the coveted “red jackets,” which will be ceremoniously presented to the winning team.
Cabernet Decade[nce]
15 Producers. 30 Cabernets. 1 Night Only. A red wine lover’s delight! Cabernet Die-hards, this one is for you!
Join up to 15 Coonawarra producers at the iconic Wynns Coonawarra Estate for one night only in October as winemakers and vignerons gather to showcase the superior ageing ability of Coonawarra’s signature variety – Cabernet Sauvignon.
In this Cabernet Decade[nce], showcase, taste, and compare wines from the 2014 vintage and older! Discover how Cabernet’s characteristics change and develop over the years, displaying a true testament to longevity.
A shuttle bus will transport guests from Penola to and from the event.
DINNER PACKAGE – Top off the night at the nearby Ottelia restaurant with a degustation to delight. Enjoy the 5-course degustation dinner with paired wines. Book your dinner package at the time of booking.
A shuttle bus will transport guests staying in Penola via Coonawarra to and from the event.
Departure 5:05pm Penola IGA Car Park | Coonawarra Motor Lodge 5:10pm | Must@Coonawarra 5:12pm | Chardonnay Lodge ‘ Coonawarra Place’ 5:22pm
Compass of Cabernet Masterclass
Lauren Hansen (Penley Estate) and Sue Bell (Bellwether wines), Coonawarra winemakers, are joining forces to guide this fascinating masterclass exploring the North, South, East, and West of Global Cabernet.
Joining them on the panel are two guest presenters and self-confessed Cabernet tragics, Ella Stening, Head Sommelier Raja & Ezra Restaurant Sydney, and Langhorne Creek consultant winemaker extraordinaire, Paul Hotker, consultant winemaker extraordinaire based in Langhorne Creek who has won almost every trophy and award going, including Halliday winemaker of the year, the Jimmy Watson and Max Schubert trophies.
Featuring 12 wines from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, this masterclass will take a fresh look at what is happening in the world of Cabernet, highlighting progressive game changers alongside classic producers.
The lineup will span a range of vintages from 2010 – 2023.
Food & Wine Experiences
Wine, Dine, taste and indulge…
Experience something truly delectable in Coonawarra this October.
Celebrate, educate, and activate your senses with an array of culinary experiences at cellar doors and dining establishments across our region and the greater Limestone Coast.
From produce platters and light bites to brunches, lavish lunches and dinners to delight, there are tasty treats galore to satisfy your tastebuds all month long!
Be sure to book in advance to secure your seat at the table where ticketed events are concerned!
Get Hands-On
This October… There is more than just wine to be enjoyed during Cabernet Celebrations month.
Experience the satisfaction of blending your own wine at Wynns Coonawarra, channel your inner Italian at DiGiorgio Family Wines with a Pastaclass not to be missed, or try your hand at pickling, smoking, brining, and preserving with acclaimed local Chef, Paul Stone at Ottelia!
Hop on- Hop off Service
For just $20 per person per day, you can toss away your keys and leave the driving to someone else! Kick back and enjoy unlimited travel to wineries between 10:30am and 4.30pm with the Cabernet Celebrations Shuttle Bus.
The CCC Day pass is $20 pp for unlimited travel throughout the day, with first pick up from the Penola Coonawarra Visitor Information Centre.
Tickets for the Shuttle bus must be purchased ONLINE. Upon boarding the bus on the allocated day of service, passengers will receive a wristband.
There is so much going on within the 20 days that it is impossible to mention everything on one page. Please refer to the official event program here for full details on events, dates, times, venues, and ticket prices.
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