Summer Fun in the Capital

• Experience the very best of summer at the Summerside Festival in the national capital.

From movie nights under the stars, tapas and vintage wine tastings, to special summer dining experiences, master classes, live theatre and exhibitions, the festival is packed to the brim with summer-themed events.

Now in its third year, the Summerside Festival has developed a reputation as an experience not to be missed.

Run throughout February by members of The Poacher's Way - a collection of 24 venues in the Canberra and Capital region including wineries, restaurants, cafes, galleries and accommodation providers - this month-long festival is all about embracing summer.

During the Summerside Festival you can enjoy Twilight Tapas and Drinks at Poachers Pantry, Lantern Cinema and a delicious two-course dinner at Capital Wines, or a Twilight Horse Ride with Burnelee Excursions on Horseback.

Lerida Estate is one of the Canberra District wineries taking part in the event and general manager Anne Caine said they put in a lot of effort to create memorable experiences for festival-goers. Lerida will be offering live music on Sundays, a wine and cheese matching master class, Lake George Vineyards Walks and games of Pètanque.

Lerida Estate's Pinot Noir master class is one of the most popular events and will return this year on 1 February. Ms Caine said they will also host for the very first time a How to Taste Wine master class on 8 February.

'It's a bit of a waltz through reds and whites and sparkling,' she said. 'If you have a bit more information about wines and what to look for and the smells and taste and colours it does enhance your enjoyment of wine.'

Lerida Estate will also host an early evening operatic concert on 22 February including arias and excerpts from La Traviata, La Bohème, The Merry Widow, The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni and Les Misèrables. Proceeds from the event will go towards the Australian National Committee for UN Women.

Visitors to the Canberra District can also enjoy an evening of short bicycle films and supper at Four Winds Vineyard, art and photographic exhibitions at Beaver Galleries and Shaw Vineyard Estate, and chocolate and wine matching at Chocolat D'Or.

Why not indulge in the region's finest produce and wines on 27 February at the second annual Pialligo Regional Dinner at Pod Food? Or you can Meet the Locals at East Hotel every Friday night during Summerside and taste local wines and talk to the winemakers who made them.

With so much on offer this Summerside, be sure to stay a night at one of the accommodation providers, with Country Guesthouse Schönegg offering a special Golden Summerside package including tickets to the blockbuster Gold and the Incas: Lost Worlds of Peru exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia.

The Summerside Festival runs from 1 February to 2 March 2014. A full list of venues and events is available at www.thepoachersway.com.au

Find all the information you need to plan your trip on Canberra's official tourism website http://www.visitcanberra.com.au/ or download a free iPad edition of the 2014 Canberra Capital Region Visitor Guide from the App Store.