Join the Cellar Dwellers over winter

Winter is when Coonawarra comes out to party.

This July, Coonawarra's annual Cellar Dwellers celebration returns with a month-long program of rare museum wines, intimate cellar door experiences and a collection of fireside, after-dark and seasonal experiences designed to showcase the South Australian region.

Running throughout July, Cellar Dwellers invites visitors to slow down, rug up and experience a different side of Coonawarra, where crackling fires, hearty regional fare, warm hospitality and aged wines combine. 

From vertical tastings and museum wine releases to long-table dinners, stargazing beneath some of
Australia's clearest night skies, mulled wine by the fire and family-friendly experiences, the 2026 program offers more than 40 reasons to visit.

While Coonawarra is internationally recognised for producing classic cabernets, Cellar Dwellers celebrates the ageing potential of the region's full range of red and white wines. 

Coonawarra Vignerons events and marketing officer, Heidi Guyett, said Cellar Dwellers continues to evolve while remaining true to its original purpose - celebrating wines that reward patience.

"Cellar Dwellers has always been about championing wines from the cellar and inviting guests to experience and discover just how well Coonawarra’s wines age, when given the time," she said.

"This year we've expanded that concept with Winter Embrace - inviting guests not only to discover beautifully aged wines, but to immerse themselves in everything that makes winter in Coonawarra so memorable."

One of the program's signature events remains the Cellar Dwellers Back Vintage Tasting, returning to Parker Coonawarra Estate on Friday, July 17.

The walk-around tasting brings together a dozen Coonawarra producers under one roof, offering event attendees the opportunity to compare museum and back-vintage wines from across the region in a single evening.

“What makes this event so appealing is the diversity - it's not just about one wine variety or one winery," said Guyett. 

"You’ll experience the collective story of Coonawarra’s winemaking talent and the remarkable ageing potential of our wines, not limited to its reds. Plus, the warmth and hospitality of the region shine through in every conversation and every pour.”

Another of the events with potential to turn heads (skyward) this year is Constellations and Cluny presented by Zema Estate. 

The full program, event bookings and downloadable guide are available at: 
https://coonawarra.org/cellar-dwellers-2026/

Coonawarra vignerons to raid their cellars for back vintages

Coonawarra vignerons will be scouring their cellars for older gems when the annual Cellar Dwellers festival returns next month. 

Coonawarra’s wineries are inviting wine lovers to discover treasures from their cellars with back vintage drops and special museum-release wines on offer for tasting during the July event. 

Among the activities to feature this years are themed wine trails, winemaker brunches, lunches and dinners, daily slow-cooked food pairings, behind-the-scenes winery tours, and intimate fireside tastings.

“Cellar Dwellers offers something truly special - you’re not just tasting wine, you’re experiencing the history and heart of Coonawarra," says Heidi Guyett, events and marketing officer for Coonawarra Vignerons. 

"Whether it’s sipping a beautifully aged vintage rarely seen outside the region, sharing a meal with the winemaker who crafted it, or enjoying a relaxed afternoon by the fire with a glass in hand, each event offers a genuine connection to the place and the people behind the wines. 

" It’s a chance to slow down, savour the stories in every bottle, and discover what makes Coonawarra so unique. Whether you're a seasoned wine lover or just starting your journey, there's something here for everyone.  

“The cornerstone of the event is the opportunity to taste treasured back-vintage wines from our 
cellar doors, offering a rare chance to compare them with current releases. It’s all designed to showcase the depth and warmth of our region - one sip and one story at a time.”

The Cellar Dwellers Back Vintage Tasting Showcase will be held on Friday, July 18, bringing together up to 15 Coonawarra producers to showcase their older wines.

“It’s a special evening where wine lovers can taste up to 30 aged wines from a collective of Coonawarra producers -all under one roof, for one night only," says Guyett. 

"This walk-around tasting is a rare chance to explore the evolution of both red and white varieties, from riesling and chardonnay to merlot, shiraz and, of course, our iconic cabernet sauvignon." 

A full list of the wines being showcased is available on the coonawarra.org website.

For those wanting to make a night of it, Guyett recommends rounding out the experience with dinner at the award-winning Pipers of Penola. 

Full event details here: https://coonawarra.org/cellar-dwellers-july-2025/

Image: Tasting at Zema Estate