Meet some luxe hotels offering special Valentine's Day experiences

Are you leaving it late to book for Valentine's Day?

You might want to check out the romance packages being offered by Sofitel and MGallery Collection Hotels across Australia.

On offer: "Candlelit dining, indulgent spa rituals and dreamy overnight stays designed for two".

Here are some of the deals:

At Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, No35 Restaurant is offering a French-inspired menu that aims to replicate Paris above Melbourne. Choose from a three-course set lunch ($139 per person, including French sparkling on arrival), an early three-course dinner ($199 per person, including Champagne and amuse bouche), or a four-course dinner ($349 per person, including Champagne on arrival and free-flowing beverages). There will be live music in the evening and guaranteed window seats are available for an additional $50 per person. https://www.sofitel-melbourne.com.au/offers/valentines-day-celebrations/

Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour's Atelier restaurant offers a "romantic" five-course menu ($160 per person) designed to be savoured slowly, together, finishing with a strawberry rose parfait. Add matching wines for $85 per person. https://www.sofitelsydneydarlingharbour.com.au/offers/valentines-day/

At Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, romance takes on a Asian accent with a four-course Vietnamese–French set menu ($119 per person) starring fresh seafood and signature noodles to the table. For something more classic, Tilda offers a five-course Valentine's Day menu ($139 per person). After dinner, perhaps, a Romantic Escape package that includes an overnight stay, a bottle of Champagne, a romantic in-room gift and a room service breakfast, from $774 per room. https://www.sofitelsydney.com.au/special-offers/valentines-dining-offer

Out of town, Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains by MGallery has three-course dining experience that begins with a glass of sparkling cuvée on arrival, followed by "a thoughtfully crafted menu designed for a memorable night in the mountains". https://www.fairmontresort.com.au/offers/valentines-day-dinner/

Hotel Chadstone Melbourne – MGallery Collection is offering a special three-course Valentine's Day dinner at Pastore Restaurant, which begins with house-baked bread and olive oil, followed by a selection of cicchetti, seafood or slow-roasted lamb for main. Priced at $109 per person food only or $164 with each course paired with a selection of Italian and local Victorian wines. Extend the romance with an overnight stay including in-room breakfast for two, a 2pm late check-out and a chilled bottle of sparkling wine and a box of Koko Black chocolates in your room. Priced from $390 per room. https://www.hotelchadstone.com.au/offer/valentines-day-dinner/

Seafood stars at The Brighton Hotel Sydney – MGallery Collection  restaurant Ammos with a Valentine's set menu featuring the restaurant's most-loved dishes, elevated with highlights like Sydney rock oysters; Thessauri Ossetra caviar with blini; wood-fire cooked king prawns; and Kinross Station lamb rump, followed by a chocolate karidopita, and hand-made Ammos truffles to take home. It is priced at $169 per person, including a glass of sparkling on arrival. https://thebrightonsydney.com.au/special-offer/ammos-valentines/

In South Australia, The Playford Adelaide MGallery Collection hotel has a  four-course dinner at the two chef-hatted Luma, which includes a cocktail on arrival. The sharing menu includes a selection of canapes, house-made mini loaf, Atlantic salmon ballontine with sea herbs, cucumber and roe for entrée, a choice of baked snapper or beef fillet for main, and chocolate delice dessert with Adelaide Hills strawberries and coconut sorbet, for $185 per person.  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/valentines-day-dinner-at-luma-restaurant-on-14th-february-2026-tickets-1977107839771?aff=oddtdtcreator

Discover a whole month of chardonnay celebrations

May is the best month of the year for chardonnay lovers to visit the Adelaide Hills.

Bookings are now open for the month-long Chardonnay May festivities in the Hills - just a short drive from downtown Adelaide.

Throughout May, cellar doors and venues across the region will offer special tastings of the wine variety. There will be over 30 chardonnay tasting experiences to choose from across 22 wineries in the Hills.

Some producers will debut their new vintages, while and others will bring out aged gems from their cellars.

There will be 16 chardonnay tasting experiences on offer over the month, including food and wine pairings.

For those with a hunger to delve deep into the world of chardy. there will be masterclasses with Sidewood Estate, The Lane Vineyard, and Deviation Road.

There will also be three long lunches at Golding, Lobethal Road and Karrawatta.

Night owls may prefer one of the five chardonnay dinners, including the Tasting Australia event "Adelaide Hills Chardonnay Heroes" dinner, which sold out last year and this year is over two nights at Fourth Hill Providore.

Chardonnay will be when paired with its best friend, cheese, at Hesketh with Udder Delights, and at Murdoch Hill with Section 28 cheese. or maybe dance with a glass of Chardonnay in hand at Simon Tolley's French-themed disco.

At Tapanappa, they will team up with Patch Kitchen & Garden to host a four-course Chardonnay and succulent pig feast on May 23.

You'll find all the details here: https://www.adelaidehillswine.com.au/events/chardonnay-may/?mc_cid=bffaec2ac6&mc_eid=c8d5c5375d

 

A popular Adelaide Hills weekend celebrates cool reds

 

The Adelaide Hills Winter Reds wine festival will feature a new Fire + Feast theme in 2023.

To run from July 28-30, the festival will comprise events across the cool-climate region that is just a short drive from downtown Adelaide. 

There will be a total of 48 red wine-focused events happening over the three days, including 

lunches and dinners matched with Adelaide Hills red wines. 

Fireplaces and heaters will be in evidence just in case the temperatures dip too far. 

There will be Tour + Taste events for those who want to experience the Hill’s diversity by visiting a few wineries in one day. 

Think live music and DJs, fire pits, mulled wine, casual food, and wine tastings, of course. 

General admission is $15 and includes entry and a souvenir Riedel wine glass. 

Other premium events incur an extra charge. 

The events themed as Cosy Classes will be hosted by an expert and guests will be taken through curated wine tasting flights, discussing points of interest on each wine. Some classes will compare Adelaide Hills pinot noirs and syrah to their French counterparts. 

In addition, the Adelaide Hills Wine Region has partnered with RAA this year to offer special discounts to its 800,000 members. In particular, RAA members can get 20% discount on the bus loops which depart from Adelaide Franklin Street bus station and Mount Barker.

“Winter Reds is a fabulous example of what the Adelaide Hills wine region does so well," says Alex Trescowthick, president of Adelaide Hills Wine Region. 

"There’s an excellent diversity of red wines on show: pinot noir and shiraz/syrah of course, but also gamay, nebbiolo, mencia and cabernet sauvignon expressing our cool climate with elegance, purity and freshness."

For full details see www.adelaidehillswine.com.au/events/winter-reds/

Newcastle Food Month set to expand its footprint

Newcastle Food Month will return in April 2023 with plans unveiled to expand the event even further.

The third edition of the festival has been confirmed by organisers Newcastle Events and will again feature posh pop-up picnic Le Diner En Blanc.

“It has been our long-time dream to make Newcastle Food Month the leading regional food event in the country, and it’s with much excitement that we announce this, our third Food Month, putting us well on our way to realising that dream.” says organiser Louise Maher.

The program will include events for food lovers paired with wine, beer or gin, and music.

Venue options will range from hatted restaurants to cafes and pubs and French, Italian, Thai and seafood degustations.


The Roundhouse at Crystalbrook Kingsley, The Flotilla, Harrisons and The Signal Box will all host events during the festival.

Plate Date returns, with over 40 dining establishments offering a brunch, lunch or dinner, including a beverage for only $25.

Maher says: “It’s exciting to see so many early entries into the program, and we are well ahead of where we have been in previous years in planning. There is already something for everyone who likes eating out, and on any budget.

“Over the past two years we have enticed thousands of Novocastrians to dine out in our fabulous restaurants, and this will continue.

"We are committed to expanding our marketing and promotion into the Central Coast and Sydney to draw an increasing number of overnight visitors. In years to come we will turn our attention to the likes of Melbourne and Brisbane, to take advantage of our connections through Newcastle Airport.”

The program launch will take place on February 15. 2023 at which time the full month-long program will be available at www.newcastlefoodmonth.com.au

Father's Day treats for wine-loving Dads

If your Dad loves his wines and you haven't come up with a plan for Father's Day yet, the team at Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia collective have some ideas.

QUEENSLAND

Treat Dad to a family night out at Burning of the Vines at Sirromet on Father's Day. Enjoy a specially curated three-course paddock to plate style menu, paired wines and live music on the Terrace and create treasured family memories around the fire, listening to outstanding live music.

Return another day for the Best of Queensland experience, including a tutored premium tasting followed by a five-course Tuscan-inspired degustation with matching wines at Sirromet's Tuscan Terrace.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Experience three of the Hunter Valley's iconic vineyards - Audrey Wilkinson, Brokenwood and Tyrrell's - as they team up for Icons of the Hunter.

Dad will be treated to signature wine experiences. Click here to discover more and read the full itinerary.

In the picturesque wine region of Orange, Dad might enjoy a five-course degustation lunch at the newly opened Printhie Dining, at Printhie Wines, perched on the slopes of Mt Canobolas. Chef Jack Brown crafts seasonal dishes using regional prioduce.

VICTORIA

Dad can learn the art of wine blending at Tahbilk during a Winemaker's Secret Art experience - and take his own blend home.

In the Yarra Valley, he can enjoy a tasting at De Bortoli Cellar Door with a Gourmet Food and Wine Experience. This privately hosted experience explores the iconic wine varietals from the Yarra Valley region and beyond, matched with delicious nibbles. Or try a three-course Italian-inspired lunch at Locale Restaurant with matched wines.

TASMANIA

Dad can dabble in the art of fly fishing with RiverFly Tasmania and Josef Chromy Wines just outside of Launceston. Learning the basics of casting on the lake is followed by a complementary tasting at the Cellar Door and a two-course lunch matched with Chromy wines. Find out more HERE.

At nearby House of Arras, Dad can become a Sparkling Scholar and discover the history of Tasmania's diverse grape-growing terroirs

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The Ultimate Penfolds Experience tour starts with a visit to the Grange Cottage, the original home of Dr Christopher and Mary Penfold, before viewing the Magill Estate winery, vintage cellar and underground drives, and concluding with an intimate tasting of Penfolds' wines, including a vintage of Grange.

At Hardys Tintara in McLaren Vale the fun and interactive Tasting in the Dark experience is enjoyed as your host guides you through the wine tasting process.

In the Barossa Valley, at the Seppeltsfield Centennial Cellar, Dad can taste Tawny made in his birth year directly from the barrel. This is a fascinating insight into the aging process of premium fortified wine, with Seppeltsfield the only winery in the world to release a 100-year-old single vintage wine each year.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Spend time in Margaret River visiting three of the region's acclaimed wineries, Voyager Estate, Leeuwin Estate and Vasse Felix. The Leeuwin Immersion Experience includes a tutored tasting and tour the Leeuwin Art Gallery, filled with contemporary Australian artworks that feature on the labels of the iconic 'Art Series' wines.

Explore Australia's largest underground barrel cellar at Voyager Estate before indulging in a true degustation. This seven-course wine-paired lunch celebrates pristine local produce.

At Vasse Felix, Margaret River's founding wine estate, book The Cellar Experience for a private tasting of historic wines in the exclusive Vault, followed by a three-course meal from the a la carte menu.

Mandoon Estate, just outside Peth in the Swan Valley (above), features the Ultimate Experience, including a tasting and guided tour of the estate, featuring the underground cellar, historic vineyard, the original Roe Family Homestead, Surveyor's Room and estate kitchen. The evening can be spent at The Colony, where rooms enjoy views of the Swan River.

Calling all serious lovers of chardonnay

Calling all lovers of chardonnay.

The lovely Adelaide Hills wine region has over 30 events scheduled for its Chardonnay May celebrations, all of which are live on the website.

The cool Adelaide Hills are known for producing some of Australia's most stylish chardonnays and the celebrations will feature vertical tastings and indulgent long lunches, as well as a Chardy party.

Cellar doors that will hold special chardonnay tastings every day throughout the month include Howard Vineyard, Anderson Hill, Shaw+Smith, Golding,  Ashton Hills and Murdoch Hill.

Things heat up from May 20-29 with most of the region's cellar doors focused on chardionnay over two weekends. 

if you plan to visit a few wineries in one day, perhaps small bites paired with chardonnay will be on offer at Pike and Joyce, Lobethal Road and Howard's Vineyard. Or maybe chomp on a lobster sandwich with Hesketh Wines at Grünthal.

IFor those seeking depth, several wineries have selected rare back vintages from their cellars with special museum releases and vertical tastings on offer at Petaluma, Ashton Hills, Lofty Valley Estate and Tapanappa.  

Capacity is limited at most events, so bookings are recommended.  

When wine and art make fine bedfellows

Montalto is well known for several reasons; primarily the excellent pinots and chardonnays crafted by Simon Black, as well as its spectacular location on the Mornington Peninsula. 

Now Montalto has partnered with the team at the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery to present a new series of lunchtime events that explore artists, and their art, in a relaxed environment overlooking the Montalto Sculpture Trail. 

Each event will showcase a renowned artist in conversation as they discuss the artist’s background, inspiration, techniques and work (both completed and upcoming) over a long lunch in The Restaurant at Montalto.

On Thursday, March 24, Montalto welcomes Patricia Piccinini in conversation with Danny Lacy (Gallery Director from MPRG) for the inaugural Contemplating Art event. Piccinini is a Melbourne-based artist who produces sculptures, photographs, videos and installations.

For the second event in the series, Hiromi Tango is joined by Emma Burrows on Thursday, May 12. 

Tango is an established interdisciplinary artist, based in northern New South Wales. Emma Burrows is a neuroscientist and change agent for equity in STEM. Together, they have recently launched an exhibit, Wheel at Science Gallery Melbourne. 

Part installation, part living lab, this human-sized rainbow hamster wheel explores how physical exercise can benefit our brain and protect us against mental health conditions.

For more information, or tickets to the above events: https://montalto.com.au/news-and-events/  

The new series complements Montalto's long-running BOOKS & IDEAS, presented in partnership with The Wheeler Centre. T

The next two events feature Stephanie Alexander (sold out) and Christos Tsiolkas (almost sold out), while the 19^th season of the Montalto Sculpture Prize  runs until the end of  April. Details  here: https://montalto.com.au/montalto-sculpture-prize-2021-winner/