The Dark Side of Wine

The Dark Side of Wine festival will run from Friday 7 August to Sunday 16 August 2026 in Rutherglen, VIC 3685, with many activities centred around 57 Main Street, Rutherglen and various cellar doors across the region. This immersive wine event, presented by the Winemakers of Rutherglen, invites visitors to explore the mysteries and magic behind one of Australia’s most storied wine regions through a mix of sensory experiences, storytelling and nocturnal discoveries.

Across ten unforgettable days and nights, the festival offers a range of creative and atmospheric events designed to deepen appreciation of Rutherglen’s rich winemaking heritage. Experiences include candlelit cellar tastings, decanter blend sessions, stargazing amongst the vines, progressive dinners and themed wine dinners, as well as more playful activities like Muscat mysteries, secret cinemas and speakeasy‑style gatherings. Whether you’re learning about fortified wine styles or discovering the art of blending, each event provides a unique way to savour the region’s famed Muscats, Durifs and other full‑bodied wines.

Beyond the tastings themselves, Dark Side of Wine embraces the lore and culture of Rutherglen winemaking by pairing sensory exploration with stories, music and firelight. With events hosted in historic wineries, outdoor settings and cellar rooms, the festival offers both visitors and locals an engaging celebration of place, tradition and flavour in regional north‑east Victoria.