The 2024 National Wine show. Image courtesy National Wine Show Australia

The National Wine Show of Australia is about to get even bigger with the announcement of a new annual tourism event, the National Wine Festival of Australia. The four-day national festival will be held in June 2025, celebrating Australian winemaking excellence and marking the 50th anniversary of the national wine awards.

The festival will begin with the 2025 National Wine Show of Australia trophy presentation dinner in the Great Hall of Australian Parliament House on 12 June. Three days of wine tastings, masterclasses, themed dinners and special events will follow at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra.

More than 900 award-winning wines, including every entrant in the 2025 National Wine Show, will be opened for tasting during the festival. In a masterclass featuring the just-announced 2025 National Wine Show trophy winners, National Wine Show chair of judges Matt Harrop will reveal what Australia’s best wine assessors look for in an award-winning wine and examine the characteristics that earned this year’s winners the nation’s top gongs.

Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Minister for Tourism and Trade, said the festival is well positioned to become a flagship event on the national calendar.

“Australian wine is one of our greatest tourism and trade assets, and I have no doubt that the festival will attract visitors from across the country and around the world.

“The National Wine Festival will drive significant economic benefits while showcasing the innovation, excellence and diversity of Australian winemaking on a global stage,” Minister Farrell said.

National Wine Show of Australia chair Andy Gregory said the festival would occupy a unique position in the tourism landscape.

“It is the only true representation of every Australian winegrowing region – a one-stop shop to taste and learn about the very best of Australian wine,” Gregory said.

“We see the National Wine Festival as a powerful platform on which to strengthen Australia’s global reputation as a world-class wine producer. It’s a natural evolution of the National Wine Show in our 50th year.”

ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Tourism and Trade Andrew Barr said Canberra was proud to host an event that would bring the best wines to the nation’s capital.

“I look forward to welcoming festival attendees and encourage them to also visit Canberra’s world-class wineries while they are here.”

Further information is available at www.nationalwineshow.com.au, with tickets now on sale at https://nationalwinefestival.iwannaticket.com.au/.

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