Spring in the Vines returns to southern Tasmania

Lovers of cool-climate wines might want to consider a trip to Tasmania for this year's Spring in the Vines festival. 

Dozens of vineyards in Southern Tasmania will be open to visitors from from Friday, October 30, until Sunday, November 1, and many of them are only open to the public a handful of days a year. 

The event is billed as a chance to meet with producers across the Derwent, Coal River Valley, Huon Valley and d'Entrecasteux Channel regions and taste their latest releases. 

"We're ready for our largest event yet," say organsiers Wine South. 

"We've had great early interest from many new and continuing vineyards to participate this year. 

"We are seeing great representation across all regions and are expecting 2026 to be our largest Spring in the Vines to date." 

There will be a range of accommodation partners for Spring in the Vines both in central Hobart and regionally, who will offer discounts of between 10-20% for wine-loving visitors.

There will also be rental car discounts if you are making a weekend of it, plus Hop On Hop Off bus tours.

Many producers will be offering live music and seasonal food on site and some be offering back vintages.

Others, like Trial Bay Estate, will invite guests to picnic in their lovely gardens. 

See https://winesouth.com.au/spring-in-the-vines/

Halloween to spread over four days on the Sydney waterfront

 

Halloween used to be a purely American event. 

But, like so many American trends, it has spread globally. 

Sydney will be fully involved when Ghost In The Rocks runs from October 29 to November 1 - yes, a one-day festival now runs over four. 

Ghost in The Rocks is promoted as "transforming one of Sydney’s oldest precincts into a huge open-air Halloween playground", with more than 300,000 people expected across the festival this year.

George Street and the Overseas Passenger Terminal will close to traffic from 7pm to midnight on the Friday and Saturday, opening up The Rocks from end to end for live music, DJs, food and drink, roaming performers and large-scale Halloween installations.

The precinct will be transformed, with giant tentacles emerging from buildings, six-metre spiders taking over the laneways and streets filled with colour, lighting and Halloween theming. 

And the street festival and all live performances are completely free across all four nights. You's have to pay me to attend, but that's just me. 

See here for more details: https://ghostfestival.com.au/

Johnnie Walker goes full tilt with Sabrina Carpenter

There are innovations, there are collaborations and there are gimmicks.

The new Johnnie Walker x Sabrina Carpenter collaboration sounds very much on the gimmicky edge of the scale.

Not that the Diageo team behind the project cares. It is boasting about celebrating "bold creativity through a collectible new bottle inspired by the confident, unapologetic vibe of Sabrina's album, Man's Best Friend".

The puffery surrounds a new limited-edition Johnnie Walker Black Label bottle design created as part of the brand's ongoing collaboration with "global superstar Sabrina Carpenter".

Featuring details inspired by her new album "from a bespoke Sabrina blue colourway to playful dog paw motifs, the design blends the timeless character of Johnnie Walker Black Label with Sabrina's signature style".

The bottle marks the latest chapter in Johnnie Walker and Carpenter's multi-year partnership, "which brings together two cultural icons connected by a shared belief in progress".

I'm puzzled by both the crossover demographics and the blatant hype. 

AI tells me: "Sabrina Carpenter's core fanbase is predominantly female (around 65% to 75%) and consists largely of young adults aged 18 to 30, though she also draws a notable tween and teen audience".

"I adore creating little surprises for my fans, and this felt like such a cool way to bring the world of Man's Best Friend to life," Carpenter says .

"I love telling stories beyond music, so getting to put my own spin on something as iconic as the Johnnie Walker Black Label bottle was such a fun challenge. I can't wait for everyone to see all the little details."

The limited-edition Johnnie Walker Black Label Sabrina Carpenter bottle will be available in both 70cl and 75cl formats (40% ABV), with a recommended retail price in line with Johnnie Walker Black Label.

It is available in Britain now before rolling out across additional markets including Mexico, India, selected markets across Europe and Asia Pacific.

Coonawarra to turn on the country cabernet charm

Coonawarra is an Australian wine region inextricably linked to cabernet sauvignon. 

Each spring, the sleepy South Australian district comes alive with Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations returning from October 1-18, bringing together three vibrant weekends of wine, food, music and regional experiences.

Celebrating Coonawarra’s signature variety, this year’s festival features over 40 free and ticketed experiences across the region, inviting visitors to meet the makers, explore the vineyards and cellar doors. 

Coonawarra Vignerons Acting Executive Officer Heidi Guyett says the program of events provides a perfect reason to make an effort to visit. 

“October is a fantastic time to experience Coonawarra," she said.

"The vineyards are bursting back to life, the days are getting longer and there’s a wonderful energy throughout the region.” 

One of the highlights of the Cabernet Celebrations program is the intimacy of the events and the opportunity this provides for people to meet the makers and the families at the heart of the wine community.

“Aside from tasting the exquisite wines of the region, visitors will have the opportunity to meet and dine with winemakers, viticulturists and boutique winery owners, go behind the scenes in the winery

and even sample wines that are yet to be officially released, all the while learning about the process

and the passion that goes into Coonawarra’s famed wines,” Guyett added.

The celebrations begin over the October Labour Day Long Weekend, with the Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations Golf Day teeing off at Penola Golf Course on Friday,  October 2.

The event combines golf with sparkling cabernet, regional food and wine, with teams competing for the coveted Champion Team red jackets. 

Across the long weekend, visitors can also roll up their sleeves for past making and lunch with the DiGiorgio Family, take a guided vineyard tour at Rymill Coonawarra, enjoy sparkling cabernet at sunset at Balnaves, or settle in for live music, pizza and family-friendly festivities at wineries across the region.

New to the festival in 2026, the Coonawarra Community Markets will make their Cabernet Celebrations debut on Sunday, October 4, showcasing fresh local produce, hand-made and hand-crafted goods, artisan wares and Coonawarra wines. 

The weekend of October 9-11 sees visitors invited visitors to Blend It Up, with Cabernet Gin in the spotlight at Parker Estate, Cocktails on the Deck on offer at Brand’s Laira, and a relaxed afternoon of pizza and live music at Zema Estate among the diverse offerings.

The festival culminates with a feature-packed final weekend, led by the Cabernet Decade[nce] Tasting and Dinner on Friday, October 16.  Around 15 Coonawarra producers will come together at Wynns Coonawarra Estate for a one-night-only tasting showcasing cabernet sauvignon with age, followed by an optional degustation dinner at the excellent Ottelia Restaurant.

Saturday, October 17 offers reasons to linger, with Yalumba’s cooper demonstration at the Menzies Coonawarra property set to be a highlight among traditional offerings including Bowen Estate’s En Primeur, a special Decade of Majella Cabernet vertical tasting and Prof’s Paella at Majella.

Making it easier to explore the region, the Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations hop on-hop off shuttle bus will operate each Saturday. 

Visitors are encouraged to book early, particularly for ticketed events and accommodation. 

For the full program of events and to book tickets, visit https://coonawarra.org/ccc-october-2026/

So you fancy a serious weekend session by the beach?

Fancy a serious session overlooking one of the most famous beaches in the world?

September will see the return of North Bondi Fish’s Saturday and Sunday Bottomless Brunches, with a refreshed offering following a winter hiatus.

From 12pm each weekend day, guests can settle in for a long, leisurely brunch in the sun overlooking iconic Bondi Beach, with a soundtrack by DJs throughout the afternoon.



Two set menu options ($95pp/$119pp) feature NBF favourites including ceviche tostadas, cured ocean trout, sesame prawn toast and grilled lamb skewers.

Add to that free-flow prosecco, wine and beer to slake the most serious thirsts.

Those looking to make a full afternoon of it can add freshly shucked oysters, fish tacos or cocktail jugs to the mix.

Bookings HERE.

Escaping a world of "dysregulation and overwhelm"

There will be a new reason to visit Hobart's Museum of Old and New Art from November. 

Zia McCabe, one of the founding members of American rock band The Dandy Warhols, will reveal a new musical installation in Tasmania.

SEE HEAR NOW will take the form of an "ambient sound-filled, earth-toned, mid-century lounge that responds to visitor interactions". 

As visitors engage with different works in the space, each touch will transform the objects into instruments -producing overlapping soundscapes and reinforcing the relationship between movement, attention, and listening.

The musical component of the exhibition is a non-linear sonata composed by keyboardist McCabe with the support of Tamil Rogeon and Louise Woodward (the duo behind The Dandy Warhols’ symphonic arrangements). The sonata features near-infinite variations that will always sound in harmony, regardless of which combinations are playing.

One of the unique aspects of the musical creation is the unusual marriage of McCabe’s analogue psychedelic synth, and classical instrumentation performed by Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra musicians.

Recorded and mixed at Mona’s Frying Pan Studios by head producer and engineer Chris Townend, the sonata’s different sequences will be connected to the lounge's various artworks, which have been designed by McCabe with visual artists Buckley, James Lambert, Madeleine Stamer and Chaz Barrisson of The London Police.

"I’ve only recently become committed to making installations through the lens of music," McCabe says. 

"But this concept came to me years ago during an open house of a creative space I was renting. During a visit to Mona last year, I was so moved by the incredible artworks, I couldn't help but pitch my own.

"What a dream to have my idea accepted and see it come to life. I am so happy to be featuring some of my favourite visual artists in this space and to know I am offering a unique room for visitors to briefly escape this world of dysregulation and overwhelm. 

"Giving their nervous systems a break, in a way that is still interactive and unpredictable, more psychedelic than opiate, more retro than modern, more harmony than discord."

The Dandy Warhols will launch their next tour of Australia with a performance at the Odeon in Hobart on Tuesday, November 24. 

See mona.net.au

Image: Lauren Krohn

Discover a Japanese cocktail experience overlooking Darling Harbour

How about a slick venue where you can sip on exotic cocktails and enjoy Japanese-inspired snacks while watching boats traverse Darling Harbour and a parade of planes coming in to land at Sydney Airport?

Zephyr Sky Bar, on the 12th floor of Sydney's busy Hyatt Regency Hotel, could be your "go to".

In addition to its usual offerings, this winter Zephyr is partnering with Japanese distilling legends House of Suntory for a limited-time takeover celebrating Japanese craftsmanship, flavour and hospitality.

Available until September, Suntory Time at Zephyr Sky Bar is transforming the award-winning rooftop venue with an exclusive menu of Japanese-inspired cocktails and paired bites overlooking the waterfront.



The seasonal collaboration showcases House of Suntory's iconic Japanese spirits across a bespoke cocktail list featuring bright, seasonal flavours including yuzu, kaffir lime, lemongrass, mango, and passionfruit.

To complement the drinks there is a limited-edition menu of Wagyu tataki, octopus takoyaki and rather delicious pan-seared gyoza.

I'm more a savoury guy but the sweet and fruity Celestial Sip cocktail rather took my fancy. This is a blend of Suntory Yamazaki distillers reserve, kaffir lime, lemongrass, yuzu, pineapple, passionfruit and foam.

I'd enjoyed two before my wife instructed me to stop.



Before leaving ,however, I did give in to my inner whisky voice, sampling a neat shot of Suntory Hakushiu 120-year-old whisky, which would have set me back $55 was I not being hosted. 

Peaty/minty flavours combined for major palate impact.

There is doof doof and dramatic live electric violin performances every Friday to complete the experience, creating one of Sydney's most elevated winter destinations against a beautiful backdrop.

Zephyr Sky Bar, Hyatt Regency Hotel, 161 Sussex St, Sydney. 

# The writer was hosted by Zephyr Sky Bar 

Tasmania welcomes spring with the Junction Arts Festival

Tasmania punches well above its weight when it comes to festivals.

Launceston, the state's second city, will once again become a platform for art, performance, music and shared experiences when it hosts the Junction Arts Festival from September 17-20.

Now in its 16th year, Junction Arts Festival invites locals and visitors alike to experience the city in new ways, with a curated program of contemporary art that unfolds across streets, buildings and unlikely venues.

Celebrating Tasmanian artists alongside interstate collaborators, the festival brings together immersive installations, live events, music and participatory experiences.

Junction chairperson Rebecca Birrell said the 2026 Junction program will offer attendees a wide range of experiences.

“"The 2026 Junction Arts Festival program is brimming with art and performance to celebrate the equinox," she said.

"Our 16th festival will transform Launceston with multi-arts experiences. Co-create a beautiful artistic offering of hope to the city in Duravity. Indulge in a luscious curation of art, food and performance in Making. Immerse yourself in the vibrant hub of community and sound at Princes Square. Amaze yourself with the most fun you will ever have under a steeple in The Baptiste. All will come to light in four exceptional days in spring.”

OK. She's enthusiastic.

But when churches become nightclubs, stables become late-night lounges, and Prince's Square becomes the Festival Hub, home to live music, art and performance, food vans, bars, cosy fires and the Little Devil, that's easy to understand.

“Junction has become one of the most-loved weekends on Tasmania's cultural calendar because it gives people a completely different way to experience their own city. This year's program is our boldest yet, equal parts joyful, strange and unmissable.”

For the full program and festival information, visit https://junctionartsfestival.com.au/

Wild Harvest Seafood Festival returns

Love your seafood? East Gippsland in Victoria is calling. 

Fresh seafood, spectacular coastal scenery and three days of gourmet experiences are promised when the Wild Harvest Seafood Festival returns to tiny Mallacoota from September 25–27. 

One of Gippsland's signature spring events, the festival celebrates the region's seafood, coastal lifestyle and maritime heritage. 

At the heart of the festival is the Wild Harvest Market, where seafood harvested from Bass Strait takes centre stage alongside local produce, artisan makers, live music and seaside vibes.

Throughout the long weekend, visitors can look forward to fresh oysters, mussels, abalone, sea urchin and other delicacies from local waters.

There will also be live music across multiple venues, guided rockpool rambles and family fishing clinics and a community beach clean-up with Friends of Mallacoota.

Art exhibitions and installations at MA Space, a cruise aboard the historic M.V. Loch-Ard and a
short film sharing Mallacoota's maritime history and connection to the sea are also on the agenda.

Visitors can make a long weekend of it with 10% off accommodation at Mallacoota Foreshore Holiday Park during the festival in the town of around 1200 people. 

Book a minimum three-night stay between September 25-28 using the code Wild26 at mallacootaforeshore.com.au to access the offer (subject to availability).

For the full program, visit wildharvestseafoodfestival.com or plan your visit to Mallacoota at
visitgippsland.com.au/destinations/east-gippsland/mallacoota.

Discover Shanghai's new cultural landmark

Shanghai is preparing to unveil one of the world’s most ambitious new cultural landmarks with the Shanghai Grand Opera House to officially opens its doors on October 17, 2026.

Designed by Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta in partnership with the East China Architectural Design & Research Institute (ECADI), the striking waterfront venue is expected to become a centerpiece of Shanghai’s cultural tourism offering and a new architectural icon along the Huangpu River, news hub Travel Mole reports.

The opening marks the culmination of a decade-long project that began when Snøhetta won an international design competition in 2016.

The opera house has been conceived as much more than a performance venue. It combines world-class performing arts facilities with expansive public spaces, creating a civic destination that welcomes visitors throughout the year, whether or not they are attending a show.

At the heart of the building are three state-of-the-art auditoriums designed to accommodate productions of varying sizes and genres. 

The main auditorium seats 2,000 guests and is equipped to host grand opera, ballet, musicals and symphony concerts. It is complemented by a flexible 1,200-seat theatre and a 1,000-seat venue for experimental performances, chamber music and community events.

One of the building’s defining features is its dramatic spiral roof, which rises from the surrounding park to create a publicly accessible promenade. It will be open 24 hours a day year-round, so visitors can walk to the rooftop for sweeping views of the Huangpu River. 

A diverse program is expected to showcase opera, ballet, orchestral music, theatre and contemporary performing arts, with additional details to be announced closer to opening.

“It is incredibly rewarding to see this remarkable project approaching its opening,” said Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, founding partner of Snøhetta.

“Watching such an ambitious vision become reality has been special. Soon, the building will belong to the people of Shanghai and its visitors, whether they come to experience a performance or simply enjoy the building and its surrounding park. I hope it will become a place that inspires, brings people together, and stands as a new landmark for the city.“

Discover Paris' own unique wine-inspired festival

For close to 100 years, the 18th Arrondissement of Paris has celebrated its grape harvest festival. 

Centered on the historic district of Montmartre, overlooking the city and blessed with its own micro vineyard, the Fête des Vendanges will this year run from October 7-11. 

The 93rd edition has the theme "The 18th Arrondissement Leads the Beat".

Drawing nearly 1.5 million visitors annually, the festival is the third-largest event organized by the City of Paris. 

For five days, the entire 18th arrondissement is transformed into a huge open-air stage where music, 

gastronomy, heritage, and community celebration come together.

Concerts, choirs, dances, performances, musical parades, participatory events, and neighborhood
festivities will fill the arrondissement's streets, squares, and iconic venues.

The festival's Taste Trail will bring together producers, winemakers from Chablis,and Auxerre, and artisans sharing their products, craftsmanship, and stories at the foot of the Sacré-Cœur.

The Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre is promoted as being committed to the values that define it: solidarity, openness, inclusion, and the sharing of knowledge and traditions.

The 2026 edition will also continue its commitment to environmental sustainability through initiatives promoting responsible food practices, waste reduction, sustainable mobility, short supply chains, and the promotion of local expertise.

See Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre : du 7 au 11 octobre 2026

Images: Erwan-Floch & Mathilde Gardel

Tribute to Springsteen: New edifice is born to run

Fans of Bruce Springsteen will want to note that the new Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music at Monmouth University opens next month.

The Springsteen Center will be officially inaugurated on June 13 on the college campus in New Jersey. 

The 30,000-square-foot structure is largely inspired by Springsteen's music and includes a 240-seat theatre for intimate performances.

The Center promises to "preserve the legacy of Bruce Springsteen and celebrates the history of American music and its diversity of artists and genres". 

As the home of the Bruce Springsteen Archives, the Center serves as the official repository for materials related to Springsteen and the E Street Band, including photographs, historic memorabilia, and oral histories. 

The Center also explores American music more broadly by producing exhibitions, concerts, and educational programming that interprets and honours the cultural impact of American music past, present, and future.

The collection consists of thousands of rare photographs, documents, recordings, artefacts, and more related primarily to Springsteen and The E Street Band.

It stands just a short walk from the New Jersey shore where Springsteen wrote Born to Run.

Robert Santelli, the centre’s founding executive director, said the building places Springsteen within the wider story of American music rather than treating him in isolation. 

Recalling the moment he first put the proposal to the musician, Santelli said Springsteen told him he would prefer to be seen as a chapter in that ongoing story.

See https://springsteencenter.org/

Noir Noir marks the Winter Solstice in style

 

While Hobart has the Dark Mofo winter festival, the Tamar Valley in the north of Tasmania has Noir Noir. 

Pinot noir, whisky and stargazing collide for a one-night-only celebration - on the longest night of the year - with Tamar Ridge and Turner Stillhouse returning with their annual Winter Solstice event, Noir Noir. 

To be held on Saturday, June 20, from 6-10pm at the Tamar Ridge cellar door, the event will showcase cool-climate pinot noir wines, newly released spirits, bonfires, live music and guided stargazing beneath the Southern Hemisphere sky.

Guests will gather around outdoor fire pits while tasting red wines from Tamar Ridge alongside spirits from Turner Stillhouse, including the distillery’s newest whisky release.

Throughout the evening, local astronomer Chris Arkless will guide guests through the winter sky, sharing stories of constellations, celestial movement and the significance of the Winter Solstice.

Tamar Ridge chief winemaker Tom Wallace says Noir Noir has become a much-loved winter tradition in the Tamar Valley. 

“There’s something incredibly special about Tasmania in winter; the darkness, the stillness, the cold air, the stars overhead," Wallace said. "Noir Noir brings all those elements together in a way that feels uniquely Tasmanian. 

“Pinot noir and whisky are both incredibly expressive drinks. They’re layered, textural and deeply connected to place, and this event gives people the chance to experience them in a completely different setting."

Tickets are $45 per person and include tastings of new-release wines and spirits, live music and stargazing session. 

Guests can also enhance their experience with an optional Southern Skies Tasmanian Cheese Box ($30), featuring water crackers, aged cheddar, truffled cheddar and soft fetta.

Tickets are available at tamarridge.com.au/events/noir-noir-winter-solstice

Sydney goes French for four days and nights in July

Sydney's four-day Bastille celebration of all things French returns in July. 

Now in its 14th year, the Bastille Festival returns to Circular Quay and The Rocks from July 16-19. 

Free to attend and open to all, the festival will offers four days of gourmet food, French wine, live Gallic music and cultural performances in the heart of the city.

The expanded 2026 edition will feature 130+ exhibitors, 80+ dishes, 110+ free performances, and a new French-inspired flea market at Gateway Plaza. 

For the first time, the festival will extends beyond Circular Quay through a collaboration with the City of Sydney's busking program. 

“Every year, our aim is to share a slice of France right in the heart of Sydney,” says Vincent Hernandez, founder and festival director. 

“This edition promises to be our most ambitious so far, larger, more daring and more immersive, inviting visitors on a true ‘Tour de France’ of flavours, culture and experiences.

“Our goal is to make every dish feel like a journey, whether it’s a traditional specialty or something completely new inspired by French cuisine.” 

There will be close to 20 bars across Circular Quay and The Rocks. 

The program features cabaret and roaming mimes to a selection of incontournables, bringing Parisian energy to the harbour city. 

“At its core, Bastille Festival is about connection, to food, to culture, and to each other,” says Hernandez. “It’s about creating joyful, unexpected moments that bring people together.” 

See https://bastillefestival.com.au/sydney/

Enjoy an ANZAC Day beer or two for a good cause

Sydneysiders can enjoy a quiet - or not so quiet - beer or two on ANZAC Day and help raise money for a charity for the families of veterans at the same time.

A dozen Solotel pubs across the city will be offering 2UP and Karma Kegs will be pouring across all venues, with $1 from every pint or schooner donated to Legacy to support the families of Australian former military personnel.

ANZAC Day will see venues including The Clock, The Sackville and The Woodstock hosting 2UP from midday on April 25, with DJs and afterparties keeping the energy going into the evening.

Among the Solotel venues marking the day are The Clock in Surry Hills (top image), which will be taking over Collins Street to host the biggest 2UP ring in Surry Hills, as well as serving drinks from its street bar and firing up the barbecue.

Out west, the Albion Hotel in Parramatta promises the biggest outdoor 2UP arena in the area along with live entertainment and all-day barbecue and an after party.

In Rozelle, in the inner west, The Sackville's car park will see 2UP action kick off at midday, with an ANZAC Day menu, bars, live music and DJs.

Other Solotel spots to spend ANZAC Day around the city include: Bridgeview Hotel, Darlo Bar, Kings Cross Hotel, The Marly and The Regent.

See the full list of venues at https://solotel.com.au/  

Vivid shines a light on Sydney's beauty

The lights and action of Vivid Festival provide a major boost to visitation to Sydney over the cooler months.

Running from Friday, May 22, to Saturday, June 13, the 23‑day program brings together creativity to Australia's largest city across Vivid Light, Vivid Music, Vivid Minds and Vivid Food.

More than 80% of the festival remains free, including the entire Vivid Light Walk, an unbroken 6.5‑kilometre journey featuring over 43 installations and projections created by local and international artists.

The Vivid Light Walk stretches along Circular Quay, The Rocks, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour, with additional venues in and around the CBD hosting Vivid Music, Vivid Food and Vivid Minds events. 

This year, Vivid Sydney will feature collaborations for a series of events with Biennale Sydney, as well as cultural institutions, venues and arts companies such as the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Australian National Maritime Museum, City Recital Hall, The Mint, Carriageworks, State Library of NSW, Sydney Opera House and more.

New South Wales Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said Vivid Sydney will be bigger and better than ever before. Well he would, wouldn't he? 

“No other city in the world can host Vivid, because no other city in the world has what Sydney has to offer," said the offensively cocky sounding Kamper. 

"Vivid Sydney 2026 will redefine how we experience our city, delivering a bigger and bolder event program that will come to life both day and night."

Festival director Brett Sheehy says: “For 2026 we are expanding our program into new artforms including aerial performance, daytime public art, theatre and dance. 

"These join our vast Vivid Minds, Light, Music and Food offerings to now make your Vivid Sydney one of the great comprehensive arts festivals of the world."

Stay tuned for a special announcement of a Vivid Sydney first, an outdoor performance on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt over the June long weekend.

At the heart of the new Regional Dinner Series is A Shared Table with Yotam Ottolenghi, where the world‑renowned chef will bring together ingredients and flavours from across the state. 

Tickets for Vivid Sydney are on sale now. For more information and for a full list of events, go to vividsydney.com 

Snoop Dogg's latest wine pays tribute to a musical milestone

I love a wide range of musical genres from Led Zeppelin, to Smokey Robinson and the Miracles to Jerry Jeff Walker. 

I have not, however, become enamoured with the music of wine mogul Snoop Dogg, or his departed friend Tupac Shakur. 

Which means I was blissfully unaware that this year marks the  30th anniversary of one of rap's most iconic collabs: 2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted. 

To mark this momentous milestone, wine brand Cali By Snoop has dropped (I think that means released) Kingz of Cali, a wine that is a personal tribute from Snoop Dogg to Tupac. 

I'm reliably told that Australia has a deep love of West Coast hip-hop. And Kingz of Cali is a red blend that celebrates the history of two of hip-hop’s greatest superstars.

Along with the tribute featuring on the bottle, Snoop Dogg also stars in a homage film, where Mr Broadus reminisces on their experience together and pours a glass of wine in Tupac’s honour. 

The film also features rare, archival behind-the-scenes footage from the music video for “2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted.”

“It’s hard to believe it’s been 30 years since Pac and I got together to make 2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted," says Mr Dogg. .

"Nobody did it like us, and I can’t think of a better way to honour his legacy than with a drink.” 

Kingz of Cali was inspired by a time in Snoop and Tupac’s history where they came together as young artists. 

The label design is inspired by a moment etched in hip-hop history at the 1996 VMA Awards, featuring Snoop Dogg and Tupac. 

Here comes the hype: 

“It’s been an absolute privilege to work with Snoop Dogg and the Tupac Estate to develop a wine celebrating this historic collaboration, and worthy of two of hip-hops greatest Icons,” said John Wardley, senior vice president of brand, innovation, and partnerships at Treasury Wine Estates.

 “The “Cali by Snoop” range has always pushed the boundaries of traditional wine culture. We are proud to honour Tupac and Snoop's legacy with a truly unique wine.”

I'm not sure what makes it "truly unique". It is a shiraz-driven red blend from the US. 

Kingz of Cali is available for an RRP of $18 at Dan Murphy’s and BWS stores. For more info see CaliBySnoop.com.

And here's a link to the very unGhetto video: https://youtu.be/E2C2EBAsZ5Q

The best time to drop into Orange

The Orange region of New South Wales boasts a busy events calendar and an impressive food and wine culture. 

As autumn kicks into gear, the change of season signals the celebration of all thing's food as the apple and vineyard harvests are underway. 

Orange FOOD Week at the end of the month is one of the busiest and most sought-after times to visit. 

Here's what is coming up this month with the Orange Chamber Music Festival running from March 12-15, a night in Nashville on March 14 and the Orange Running Festival on March 15. 

FOOD Week (now more than a week) will run from March 20-29 with the 10-day celebration marking 35 years with a full program of events celebrating the region’s chefs and producers. 

Think shared dining experiences, markets and immersive foodie events. 

Highlights include the Night Market on March 20 and the Sunday Producers Market & Brunch on March 29. 

See event program

Central West Comedy with Nina Oyama is on March 27, with the Handa Opera at Millthorpe from April 2-5 and Canowindra International Balloon Challenge running from April 11-19. 

Festival shines a light on Indigenous culture

Parrtjima, the annual award-winning Aboriginal-led light festival, returns to Alice Springs from April 10-19 for its 11th instalment, showcasing the world’s oldest living culture through large-scale light installations and a program of workshops, demonstrations, music and storytelling.

The festival will offer an expanded program this year under the theme Language, featuring new light installations, more workshops and interactive experiences and new masterclasses. 

The Indigenous-driven festival will also offer a new outdoor space called Dome, designed as a dedicated space for attendees to “pause, watch, and reflect on culture through film and animation”. 

There will also be a series of optional ticketed events beyond the main festival site, including watercolour masterclasses with artists from Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre, and a Merne Mwerre bushfood experience. 

The evet will showcase the work of more than 36 First Nations artists, as well as over 50 performers and guests across live music, dance, workshops and talks.

“This year invites us to come together at Parrtjima, where language and culture continue to illuminate age‑old traditions in new and powerful ways," says said Tourism and Events NT advisory board chairperson Paul Ah Chee.

"This program echoes the enduring legacy of Country and the stories that connect us across generations.

“We welcome everyone to come stand on the red earth, feel its heartbeat beneath your feet, and look up as Arrernte Country comes alive across the majestic MacDonnell Ranges.” 

The popular markets return during the opening weekend, and much-loved festival favourites Grounded and the iconic Ranges Light Show will run over 10 nights, reimagined by Artists in Motion.

The music programming includes Electric Fields, 3%, BARKAA, Drifting Clouds and Emma Donovan.

* Parrtjima is delivered by Tourism and Events NT in partnership with We Are Gather.

Check out parrtjima.com.au, where visitors can also explore itineraries, travel packages and planning tools. 

Images: Supplied

How Ljubljana marks the change of seasons in style

Regular readers will know that the delightful Slovenian capital of Ljubljana is a favourite with Gourmet on the Road. 

It is a city that is a pleasure to visit no matter the time of year, but the arrival of spring means Ljubljana Tourism, together with its partners, will present the fourth edition of LUV Fest from February 8 to March 12. 

The event combines art, culture, gastronomy and social experiences in the compact, easy-to-walk city. 

The diverse program features exhibitions, concerts, workshops and outdoor experiences with the central artistic highlight the light installation Brstenje (Budding) in the open-air art gallery, complemented by special guided tours and a wide range of events for all generations.

Brstenje, by artist Nika Erjavec, symbolises the awakening of the city and nature, and will be set up on Čufarjeva Street. 

Other well-established installations will also return, including Brbotanje by Matej Bizovičar and Cvetilke, featuring motifs created by primary school pupils, which will again illuminate Zvezda Park.

This year will also focus on the courtyard of artists’ studios at Gornji trg 24, where artists will open the doors of their studios to visitors and present their works in an outdoor setting.

LUV Fest will extend across Ljubljana’s thoroughfares, cultural institutions and hotel venues, with a growing number of hoteliers and restaurateurs joining the festival with special seasonal offers. 

The program will include concerts, theatre performances, dance events, themed guided tours, workshops and exhibitions.

Particular attention will be devoted to the Art Vital exhibition, exploring the love story of the artistic duo Ulay and Marina Abramović at Cukrarna, as well as a production of Wagner’s opera Tristan and Isolde at the Slovenian National Opera and Ballet Ljubljana. 

The festival will conclude on March 12, on St. Gregory’s Day (Gregorjevo), when the traditional Ljubljana custom of floating gregorčki along the Gradaščica stream will symbolically welcome the arrival of spring.

See https://www.visitljubljana.com/en/visitors/sights-and-activities/highlights/luv-fest/

Image: LUV-FEST, Marko Delbello Ocepek