Rutherglen is playing host to two extravagant weekends: March 6-7 and 13-14, so food and wine worshippers have plenty of time to indulge. Of course the Rutherglen Festival isn’t complete without a meet-and-greet with winemakers and families behind Rutherglen’s world-class wines.

Visitors will get a chance to experience the music, food, wine and fun of the region as the wineries team up with the chefs to create the best entrée dish possible, matching with local drops so that everyone can treat themselves to the regional tastes of Victoria.

Throughout the two-weekend festival, the wineries are holding a range of events, including themed wine dinners, produce markets, “Rhone Roaming” activities, dinners under the stars, live bands, children’s entertainment and plenty more.

All tickets are available for pre-purchase, with passes on offer that include “The Individual Pass” ($48, inc festival glass, two entrees, choice of wine, water and a branded cap), “The Twin Pass” ($90, with the same indulgences) or the “Weekend Warrior” pass for $165, for two people and two days.

If you’re feeling a little woozy from the wine tasting, the “Tastes of Rutherglen Shuttle Bus”, will pick you up and drop you off wherever you please (only available the first weekend). At $30 per person, pick up and drop off from remote towns is available (including Wangaratta, Albury-Wodonga and Yarrawonga) or $25pp for local towns (including Corowa, Rutherglen, and Wahgunyah).

Throughout the two-weekend festival, the wineries are holding a range of events, including themed wine dinners, produce markets, “Rhone Roaming” activities, dinners under the stars, live bands, children’s entertainment and plenty more.

Participating wineries and restaurants at the festival range from All Saints Estate Winery, Bottega Restaurant, Lake Moodemere Vineyard, Beaumont’s Café, Campbell’s Winery, Milawa Cheese Factory, Buller Wines and Cofield Wines.

A special dinner (Rhone Roaming Dinner) will be held on Saturday March 6, involving Rutherglen Estates and Valhalla Wines, showcasing flavours of Rutherglen and the Rhone Valley with choices of food and wine around the vineyards.

For more info, call 1300 787 929 or head to www.rutherglenvic.com