As winter approaches, it's time to start arranging your cold weather calendar. With a variety of exciting food and wine festivals taking place between now and the start of spring, there's really no excuse to stay at home.

In McLaren Vale between 9th and 11th June, the annual Sea & Vines Festival returns for more revelling in the culinary and winemaking traditions of this premier food and wine destination with a beach lifestyle.  As usual both d'Arenberg and Wirra Wirra Wines will be hosting Sea & Vines events.  On Friday night, d'Arenberg invites visitors to Frisson Fest at Polly's - a relaxed and intimate night of comfort food and great tunes.  On Saturday and Sunday, guets are invited to d’Arry’s Verandah for the Familial Feast. Nourish your soul and delight your taste buds as you submerge yourself in food both generous and comforting, drawn from some of Head Chef Peter Reschke’s favourite winter dishes (includes five shared dishes and one glass of wine per course).  Short of time? Pop in and join Senior Winemaker Jack Walton at the Winemakers Table - explore d’Arenberg’s mediterranean wine varietals in the d’Arenberg Cube. The tasting will feature The Artisans wine range, best described as loud, fragrant and varietally distinct and take place at 11am each day.

On the Public Holiday Monday (11th June) Wirra Wirra will be hosting a relaxed Groove & Soul event on the lawns with live music and catering from Harry’s Deli… this is a sure fire, family-friendly way to enjoy Sea & Vines this year.  Free entry, no bookings required, but please get in early as number restrictions apply.

Over the same weekend, the King Valley will celebrate the first ever King Valley Balloon Festival.  The festival sees around 20 hot air balloons gather for the June long weekend and fly above the King Valley.  On the Saturday night (10th June) join Brown Brothers Night Glow for an exciting evening filled with winter foods, live music and entertainment and a spectacular balloon night glow event. 

On Sunday 8th July, the third annual Bonjour Barossa festival at Seppeltsfield is back, once again transforming the Seppeltsfield estate into a Parisian style marketplace, bringing together food, wine and homeware vendors against a backdrop of French themed music and entertainment.  Among the stall holders will be Adelaide-based Boulangerie 113, Mulots Patisserie, Chocolique, Les Deux Coqs, The Crepeire Cart and The Oyster Bar, who will join local artisans and products from Barossa Valley Cheese Co., Owen Andrews, Barossa Coffee Roasters and Barossa Valley Ice-cream.  A limited number of seats will also be made available to master classes and meet-the-maker opportunities, including Vasse Virgin (perfumery), Pol Roger (champagne), and Barossa Valley Cheese Co. A sell-out experience in previous years, on-site Events Executive Chef, Owen Andrews, will offer a walking tour of some of Seppeltsfield’s food culture sites, uncovering the estate’s mythology with early Barossan cuisine.

The Margaret River Cabin Fever returns in 2018 following last year's successful event.  Visit the Margaret River region between July 13th and 22nd for as much quality wine, delicious comfort food, fireside brews and general good times as your body can handle. Experience chocolate, cheese and coffee appreciation, wine dinners, degustation menus, bonfires, brews, live music and more.  Voyager Estate will be hosting special Chardonnay and Cabernet tastings by the fire, twice a day everyday throughout the festival period.  Over at Vasse Felix, on 21st July, discover the significance of ’terroir’ (site) at a unique dining experience, A Tale of Terroir, designed to showcase the immense influence of ‘place’ on the food and wine we love. Guided by Vasse Felix's passionate Chefs and Winemaking team, a progressive dining journey will see guests indulge in a series of deconstructed entrees and single block wine pairings followed by a main course matched to the Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon and the critically acclaimed 2014 Tom Cullity. 

Back in South Australia, from 27th to 29th July, the Adelaide Hills will welcome visitors to a variety of events celebrating the Winter Reds Festival.  The Lane Vineyard will host 'Baby its Cold Outside' - a warming three course lunch and dinner menu featuring the finest Adelaide Hills' produce paired harmoniously with 2017 release reds.  Throughout the weekend, pop into The Lane for some 'Après-Ski' - Defrost with hearty winter fare, mulled wine and DJ tunes at the pop up 'Chalet Bar' or warm up with a world-class wine experience in the Tasting Room over a vertical flight of some back vintage treasures.

As you can see there is much to lure the cosiest homebody from hibernation this winter. Time to start planning.