Madison Eastmond, Murray Pioneer

The Riverland Food & Wine Festival is back to take over the Berri riverfront this March, with the revamped event preparing to showcase the best local produce, wine, and entertainment.

With a focus on local wine and cuisine, sustainability, and safety, the classic event has been reimagined for the Riverland community since it was last held in the region six years ago.

“This is an event that everyone knows and has amazing memories of going to,” Riverland Food and Wine Festival event owner Andrew Sarakinis said.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to run the Riverland Food and Wine Festival with my vision of what it could be.

“We had a specific goal that this festival should represent the Riverland Food, and it 100 per cent does.

“From the labourers, food trucks, wineries, entertainment—every single element is local.”

Held on Saturday 8 March, from 12pm to 8pm, for all those above the age of 18, the event wil be capped at a capacity of 1200, and will be host to vendors including:

• 919 Wines,
• Bassham Wines,
• Mallee Estate Wines,
• Freestone Estate,
• Angove Family Winemakers,
• 23rd St Distillery,
• Woolshed Brewery,
• Jachmann’s Cider.

Ensuring the celebrations can be enjoyed in a controlled and safe environment, Mr Sarakinis said the Riverland Food and Wine Festival has also placed a major focus on safety fencing and security, while also introducing capped wine.

“Feedback we received from the community is previous events has gotten out of hand,” he said.

“However, people obviously still want the event in the Riverland, but they just want it done in the right way.

“This year, there will be tastings only from 12 to 3pm, and they will be capped at five tastings per person enjoyed from a – provided, environmentally-sustainable – tumbler, handed out on arrival.

“We will also have a big bar where people can buy a glass of wine, and then place orders to be shipped direct to door as there will be no bottles on site to buy.

“There will also be a designated area where people can enjoy their tastings and be able to chat with wine owners and fantastic discounts available.”

Riverland Food and Wine Festival event manager Caitlyn Larsson said that there had been great support for the event so far, with more than 50 per cent of the tickets already sold and many local wineries already requesting to be put on a waitlist for next year’s event.

“The community response has been amazing,” she said.

“There is such a demand for a fantastic event like this again, where you can enjoy a glass of wine, learn about the industry, eat great local food, and have a dance.

“We are hoping to just keep building on this event each year and make it better and better.”

To purchase tickets to the Riverland Food & Wine Festival, and a round trip bus from Renmark, Loxton, Barmera, and Waikerie, visit the website (rfwf.eventbrite.com.au).

Readers of The Murray Pioneer also have the chance to win one of four passes to the 2025 Riverland Food & Wine Festival. Simply fill out the entry form [in the edition] below, and drop it into the newspaper’s office, on Ral Ral Avenue, before Tuesday 18 February.

This article appeared in the Murray Pioneer, 12 February 2025.