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Food festivals and more in the Riverina

Courabyra Wines, TumbarumbaCredit: Destination NSW

Courabyra Wines in Tumbarumba is part of the largest wine-producing region in New South Wales.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Food festivals and more in the Riverina

Courabyra Wines, Tumbarumba Credit: Destination NSW

Courabyra Wines in Tumbarumba is part of the largest wine-producing region in New South Wales.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Hashtags #lovensw #newsouthwales

The food bowl of Australia, the Riverina region of southwest New South Wales is a dream destination for a gourmet getaway. A region of rolling countryside, farm gates and cheerful towns, it’s also the biggest producer of wine in New South Wales, with vineyards located in Wagga Wagga, Leeton and Griffith.  

Start your trip in Griffith 

The first vineyards in Griffith were established in 1912, and with the arrival of post-war migrants from Europe, the area’s distinct food and wine culture soon grew.  

Griffith loves hosting food festivals: each year, the Real Juice Company Citrus Sculptures decorate the streets of town for a fortnight. More than 100,000 oranges get transformed into surprising artworks (like a grand piano, castle or robot) for Griffith Spring Fest in October. Unwined celebrates the region’s cellar doors with frequent events, while Taste Riverina events — from long lunches to farm-foraging sessions — take place throughout the year. 

There’s plenty of choice when eating out in Griffith. At Limone Dining, local produce is championed by Luke Piccolo, who was named 2019 Young Restaurateur of the Year by the Appetite For Excellence awards. Zecca pays tribute to the area’s Italian heritage with artisanal pasta that’s shaped from Riverina wheat. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria is a fourth-generation bakery that sells cannoli, coffee, gelato and over 15 kinds of biscotti, created using a century-old Italian recipe handed down by family members.  

Sample great food on the way to Wagga Wagga 

In Leeton, make a booking to experience Tastes of Leeton. This daily presentation at the Leeton Visitor’s Information Centre introduces you to the region’s produce (citrus fruits, walnuts and rice) and includes a tasting. Rice is a big deal in Leeton, and the Leeton Sunrice Festival celebrates this fact every second Easter (so it skips 2021 and 2023) with a street parade, long lunch and more. Don’t forget to visit the cellar doors of Leeton’s acclaimed wineries, such as Toorak Winery (which has won medals for its shiraz and chardonnay) and Lillypilly Estate Wines (which has scored over 1,000 awards).  

During spring and autumn, book a visit to the Glendale Citrus and Hazelnut Orchard in Sandigo for agricultural tours on the Glendale Orchard Express. Drop by Barbara's Special Treats Van afterwards for soft serve and other refreshments.  

Find sweet treats at the Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory in the town of Junee. Pop in to the Junee Rotary Sunday Market for locally produced wine, cheese, olives, honey, meat, pickles, fruit and vegetables. It takes place on the first Sunday of the month in the Junee Ex-Services Club Car Park — make sure to pick up some home-made cakes or visit the barbecue when you’re there.  

Griffith Spring Fest 2019, Griffith Credit: Destination NSW

Citrus Sculptures on display at Griffith Spring Fest.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Griffith Spring Fest 2019, Griffith Credit: Destination NSW

Citrus Sculptures on display at Griffith Spring Fest.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Junee Licorice & Chocolate Factory, Junee Credit: Destination NSW

Sampling chocolate products at Junee Licorice & Chocolate Factory, Junee.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Junee Licorice & Chocolate Factory, Junee Credit: Destination NSW

Sampling chocolate products at Junee Licorice & Chocolate Factory, Junee.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Eat and drink in Wagga Wagga 

Wagga Wagga is known for its vibrant food and wine scene. Drop by the Saturday Markets for baked goods, local honey, coffee and more. Visit Knights Meats & Deli for regional produce and stock your pantry with award-winning goods from Wollundry Grove Olives. Latte lovers should try The Blessed Bean Coffee Roasters and Trail Street Coffee Shop

For stronger drinks, head to Thirsty Crow Brewery, a brewpub that also runs tours of its craft brewery on weekends. Or visit local boutique vineyards just a short drive from the city centre, such as Eunonyhareenyha Winery.  

To learn more about the local Aboriginal culture, join the Tastes of Wiradjuri day tour run by Mark Saddler of Bundyi Cultural Tours.  

End your day with a cocktail at Birdhouse Bar & Kitchen, followed by dinner at Magpies Nest, a restaurant in a converted 1860s stone barn that’s surrounded by olive trees and a vineyard.  

Make your way to Tumbarumba 

Tumut is a pretty riverside town and the gateway to the Snowy Mountains. It’s a popular fishing and boating location, with nearby Blowering Dam stocked with Murray cod, golden and silver perch. For craft beer and a pizza, drop by Tumut River Brewing Co. From here, head south to Batlow, home of the Big Apple. You can pick your own fruit at numerous farm gates, including Wilgro Orchards and Mouat’s Farm.  

Tumbarumba, in the western foothills of the Snowy Mountains, boasts 19 vineyards in the area. The wine region is known for its fresh, delicate chardonnays and pinot noirs. Visit Courabyra Wines for tastings with a view (from its cellar door balcony) and tours of this award-winning vineyard. Enjoy your glass with a ploughman’s platter or extend your stay with a luxurious meal at the on-site restaurant.  

The region’s cool climate not only produces good wine, it also generates great fruit. Jolly Berries in Tumbarumba is proof of this — try its fruit at local markets (such as the weekly Riverina Producers Market at the Wagga Showgrounds in Wagga Wagga).  

Nest café in town serves excellent food and coffee in a welcoming space lined with book shelves. Owned by food writer Sheridan Rogers, this venue highlights local ingredients (raspberries from Happy Wombat Hazelnuts adorn pancakes and granola, for instance) and there’s a program of movie nights at its boutique cinema. Enjoy screenings with a good dose of pizza and wine. 

And look out for Tumbafest in February: this festival turns the spotlight on Tumbarumba’s chardonnay, pinot gris and other local drops, thanks to its Wine Courtyard showcase. There are also market stalls offering local produce and music performances, too. And then there’s the annual Tumbarumba Tastebuds festival in October: the event also celebrates local produce and cellar doors — with the region’s cool-climate vineyards open for tastings.

Bundyi Aboriginal Cultural Tours, Wagga Wagga Credit: Destination NSW

Take part in the Bundyi Cultural Tours Tastes of Wiradjuri experience when in Wagga Wagga. 

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Bundyi Aboriginal Cultural Tours, Wagga Wagga Credit: Destination NSW

Take part in the Bundyi Cultural Tours Tastes of Wiradjuri experience when in Wagga Wagga. 

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Courabyra Wines, Tumbarumba Credit: Destination NSW

Grape vines at Courabyra Wines, Tumbarumba.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

Courabyra Wines, Tumbarumba Credit: Destination NSW

Grape vines at Courabyra Wines, Tumbarumba.

#lovensw #newsouthwales

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