The annual Heathcote Harvest Festival returns this Sunday, March 8, at Barrack Reserve Oval, celebrating the start of autumn and the local grape vintage. Visitors can enjoy local wines, craft beers, food stalls, live music, and family activities in a dog-friendly twilight setting. Entry costs $10 for adults, including a souvenir glass, with children under 18 entering free.
The Heathcote Harvest Festival, organized by Heathcote Tourism & Development, kicks off at 4pm on Sunday, March 8, at Barrack Reserve Oval. The event marks the beginning of autumn and the vintage season for local vineyards, offering a relaxed evening of regional food, drinks, and entertainment.
"With fine weather predicted, we believe this year will be the best yet," said India Munari, vice-president of Heathcote Tourism & Development.
A twilight market will feature stalls selling toys, clothing, plants, and more. Drinks vendors include Envy Distilling, Silver Spoon Estate, Three Dams Estate, In Good Spirits Distilling, Pook Road Winery, Munari Wines, Sutherland Wines, M. Chapoutier, Lost Watering Hole, Axedale Tavern, and Bendigo Brewing Co. No free tastings are available; beverages are sold at bar prices. Highlights include Silver Spoon Estate's rosé in a can, Munari Wines' Italian varieties such as Vermentino, Garganega, Fiano, and rosé, and Three Dams Estate's Spanish-themed offerings like pizza, patatas bravas, paella, sangria, and Spanish wines by the glass. Lost Watering Hole, a Lancefield craft brewery, will serve beers from its keg-equipped combi van.
Food options encompass souvlaki, burgers, pizza, slushies, and fairy floss. Live music on the main stage features Luke Harrington and The Hoodoo Heathens, Doc Halibut, and Beth String Fix Guitar.
Families can enjoy lawn games, face painting, and a new giant teacup ride. The dog-friendly festival encourages attendees to bring picnic blankets and chairs for a comfortable evening.