Wine, wildlife and winter magic returns to Healesville Sanctuary

Sip your way through the Yarra Valley’s best drops while getting up close with some of Australia’s most iconic animals at this cosy bushland festival

Winter is about to get a whole lot warmer, with Healesville Sanctuary’s much-loved Wine & Wildlife event returning for one special weekend of local flavours, live tunes and unforgettable animal encounters.

On Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August, the Sanctuary will transform into a winter wonderland, welcoming 19 of the Yarra Valley’s finest wineries, breweries and distilleries as they bring their cellar doors into the heart of the bush.

Wine & Wildlife

When: Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 August, Tastings from 10.30am to 4pm
Where: Healesville Sanctuary

Tickets: Available via zoo.org.au/wine-wildlife
Early bird price: $45 (Zoo Members receive 40% off)
Kids: Children under 18 enter free

Keep up with the latest food and booze news across the region here.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Zoos Victoria (@zoosvictoria)

Guests will have exclusive access to the Sanctuary while sampling premium drops from some of the region’s most celebrated producers. Think bold shiraz alongside a curious wombat, tawny port with a tawny frogmouth, or a sparkling wine while watching a platypus glide through the water.

With crackling bonfires, live acoustic performances and plenty of fresh country air, Wine & Wildlife is the perfect excuse to rug up, pull on your gumboots and beanie, and settle in for a winter day out. Just don’t be surprised if you leave with a little more than a rosé glow.

Beyond the food, wine and festivities, every sip supports an important cause. Proceeds from the event contribute to the life-saving work of Healesville Sanctuary’s Wildlife Health Centre, which treats around 2,000 patients each year while providing ongoing care for the Sanctuary’s resident animals.

The weekend will feature a huge line-up of local favourites, including Zonzo Estate, De Bortoli Wines, Boat O’Craigo, Helen & Joey Estate, Rochford Wines, St Hubert’s, Watts River Brewing, 777 Distilling, Bloody Hill Wines, Cherryhill Orchards, Jayden Ong Wines, Oakridge Wines, Payten & Jones, Riverstone Estate, Stag Lane Distillers, Steels Gate Wines, Sutherland Estate, Hop Hen Brewing and Yarrawood Estate.

Not drinking? No worries. A range of non-alcoholic options will also be available.

When hunger strikes, festival-goers can tuck into tasty eats from Lady Paella, Moo Bee, The Greatest Doughman and The Yumpling Truck, alongside the Sanctuary’s own cafés.

The entertainment line-up brings even more flavour to the weekend, with performances from Wurundjeri Elder Murrundindi, Ash King, Lune, The Russells, Hughes, Gus, Revery and Hendrix, plus a Zine-making workshop for the little ones.

Wine & Wildlife is a fully ticketed event, with general admission and member scans unavailable across the weekend. Grab your tickets here.