If you’ve been searching for a winter escape with atmosphere, incredible wine and one-of-a-kind experiences, Dark Side of Wine should be firmly on your radar. Returning to Rutherglen, just three hours from Melbourne, from 7–16 August, this much-loved festival transforms one of Victoria’s most historic wine regions into a moody wonderland of candlelit cellars, roaring bonfires and after-dark adventures. Across ten immersive days and nights, you’ll uncover secret cinemas, murder mystery events, stargazing sessions and progressive dining experiences, all set among the region’s iconic wineries and vineyards. It’s a completely different way to experience wine country, and it only happens once a year. Read on for more information about the winner of the Best Wine Themed Event in the Wine Communicators of Australia Awards!
When it comes to winter wine getaways, Rutherglen has become one of Victoria’s most exciting destinations. Home to more than 160 years of winemaking history, the region is famous for its bold reds, world-renowned Muscats and rich, fortified wines that feel perfectly suited to crisp winter nights. At Dark Side of Wine, you’ll be invited to experience the region in an entirely new light, or rather, under the cover of darkness.
A Grand Opening Night unlike anything else in regional Victoria
The festival begins on Friday 7 August with the Dark Side of Wine Grand Opening Night: A Candlelight Concert, hosted at the breathtaking All Saints Estate.
For one night only, all 17 Rutherglen wineries come together in a spectacular celebration of wine, music and winter atmosphere. Guests will wander through the historic castle grounds and illuminated gardens of All Saints Estate, meeting winemakers and tasting wines from across the region. Then they’ll settle beneath thousands of flickering candles for an intimate live string quartet performance inspired by the globally acclaimed Candlelight Concert series, featuring music by Ed Sheeran and Coldplay.
Discover the darker side of Australia’s most storied wine region
Beyond opening night, visitors can spend ten days exploring a program filled with mystery, flavour and discovery. Wineries will come alive after dark with hidden speakeasies, atmospheric tastings, fire pits, progressive dinners, live entertainment and immersive experiences designed to reveal a different side of wine country. Whether you’re blending Muscat, solving a murder mystery, enjoying a secret cinema amongst historic wine barrels or tasting rare back vintages with the winemakers themselves, every experience offers a unique glimpse into the stories and traditions that have shaped the region for generations.
Here’s a sneak peak at all the individual events:
- Dark Side of Wine Grand Opening Night: A Candlelight Concert, Friday 7, 5:00pm–7:30pm: Meet all 17 Rutherglen wineries and wander the glowing grounds of All Saints Estate before settling into a breathtaking candlelit string quartet performance featuring reimagined hits from Ed Sheeran and Coldplay.
- Stargazing & Night Skies with Pfeiffer Wines, Friday 14 & Saturday 15, 6:15pm: Rug up beneath the stars with a glass of Durif as astronomer Mietta Habets guides guests through constellations, telescope viewing and ancient sky stories before finishing with a warming Muscat.
- “The Essence of Muscat” with Chambers Rosewood Vineyards, Daily from Friday 7–Sunday 16, 10:00am & 2:00pm: Step behind the scenes of Rutherglen’s most iconic wine style with ancient cask access, guided Muscat tastings and perfectly paired chocolate, cheese and savoury bites.
- Durif Back Vintage Tastings with Jones Winery & Vineyard, Daily throughout the festival: Discover six vintages of Jones Winery’s signature Durif in an intimate vertical tasting that showcases how one of Rutherglen’s boldest varietals evolves over time.
- Ember & Elixir with Morris of Rutherglen, Saturday 8, 6:00pm: Watch live barrel charring by firelight while sampling award-winning fortifieds, single malt whisky and smoked cocktails at this atmospheric one-night-only celebration.
- Back In Black #3 – A Riff On Durif with Warrabilla Wines, Saturday 8, 12:00pm: Join Warrabilla’s self-proclaimed “Master of the Dark Arts” for an unforgettable Durif masterclass followed by a hearty long-table feast paired with exceptional back-vintage wines.
- RUTHERGLEN FOR THE REBELS with Scion Wine & GRACE bar+eatery, Saturday 8, 6:30pm: Celebrate the region’s modern side with a five-course dinner, rare wines and winemaker storytelling dedicated to the rule-breaking varietals rewriting Rutherglen’s story.
- Legend & Lore Dinner with Lake Moodemere Estate, Saturday 8, 6:00pm: Begin fireside with sparkling Shiraz before enjoying a three-course dinner, live string music and estate-grown produce in a magical winter evening by the lake.
- Secret Cinema at De Bortoli Rutherglen Estate, Sunday 9: Venture through hidden cellar spaces to uncover a secret cinema experience where family-friendly and adults-only movie sessions bring a historic winery to life after dark.
- Blind Tasting in the S&K Speakeasy, Sunday 9, 6:30pm–9:00pm: Enter Stanton & Killeen’s hidden speakeasy for an evening of mystery wines, blind tasting challenges and friendly competition designed to test even the sharpest palate.
- The Cellar Never Sleeps: Secrets, Stories & Fortifieds After Dark, Tuesday 11, 5:00pm–6:30pm: Explore Stanton & Killeen’s oldest cellars by candlelight before tasting rare fortified wines, including Muscat straight from the cask, in the winery’s hidden speakeasy.
- Sunset Cellar Door with Morris of Rutherglen, Thursday 13, 4:30pm–8:00pm: Drop in for golden-hour wines, whisky, handcrafted cocktails and relaxed winter vibes as Morris keeps its cellar door glowing long after sunset.
- LEGACY DINNER: A Collaborative Dining Experience, Friday 14, 6:30pm: Four of Rutherglen’s celebrated wine families come together for an unforgettable four-course feast showcasing generations of winemaking stories and exceptional local wines.
- Mulled Wine, S’Mores and More with Dinah Wines, Friday 14, 6:00pm: Cosy up beside the fire bowls with toasted sweet and savoury s’mores, warming mulled wine and laid-back winter hospitality.
- Mad Hatters Trivia Night with Cofield Wines, Friday 14, 6:30pm: Don your most outrageous hat and settle in for a wildly entertaining evening of quirky trivia, themed prizes, hot nibbles and plenty of laughs.
- Dark & Perfect: A Century of Fortified with All Saints Estate, Saturday 15, 2:00pm & 3:30pm sessions: Descend into All Saints Estate’s private family cellar for an intimate tasting journey through more than a century of extraordinary Muscat and Muscadelle.
- Exclusive L.J. Retrospective with Jones Winery & Vineyard, Saturday 15, 9:30am: Experience a once-in-a-lifetime vertical tasting of the acclaimed L.J. Shiraz Grenache, crafted from 1905 vines and featuring back vintages rarely poured for the public.
- Muscat Blending Masterclass with De Bortoli Rutherglen Estate, Saturday 15, 11:00am: Step into the winemaker’s shoes and create your own unique bottle of Rutherglen Muscat to take home in this interactive hands-on blending experience.
- Fire & Fizz with St Leonards Vineyard, Saturday 15, 10:00am–12:00pm: Enjoy sparkling wines by the fire alongside breakfast tacos, pastries and grazing plates in a cosy winter celebration of bubbles.
- L.J. Dinner with Jones Winery & Vineyard, Saturday 15, 7:00pm: Indulge in an elegant seasonal dinner showcasing the acclaimed L.J. Shiraz Grenache alongside hyper-local produce and refined French country cuisine.
- Deadly Vintage: A Murder at Gracerray with Stanton & Killeen Wines, Saturday 15, 7:00pm–10:00pm: Dress in your 1970s best and step into an immersive murder mystery where scandal, exceptional wine and a killer amongst the barrels await.
- Saperavi Tasting Experience with Anderson Winery, Throughout the festival, Monday–Saturday: Discover the ancient Georgian grape variety that found a home in Rutherglen through a guided tasting of five Saperavi wines led by the Anderson family.
- Rutherglen Muscat Mile, Throughout the festival: Explore the region at your own pace with this self-guided Muscat trail, meeting winemakers and tasting your way through the famous classification styles that put Rutherglen on the world wine map.
So, if you’re ready to experience one of Victoria’s most unique wine festivals, make the trip to Dark Side of Wine in Rutherglen, just three hours from Melbourne. Once you arrive, settle into the region and spend your days and nights exploring historic wineries, hidden experiences and unforgettable winter feasts. Whether you’re travelling with friends, planning a romantic weekend away or simply looking for an excuse to escape the city, this festival delivers the perfect mix of atmosphere, adventure and exceptional wine.
