Make Your Winter Escape an Escape to Winter…

Lerida Estate

Gather around the warmth of a fire with friends, food and fine wine during the Fireside Festival and celebrate winter in Canberra.

This month-long Canberra region festival is all about your favourite winter indulgences; from curling up by a crackling fire with hearty winter cuisine to enjoying a glass of fine local wine, activities and entertainment with friends.

Throughout August, the Fireside Festival presents a stunning collection of winter events curated by members of The Poacher's Way, a self-guided drive of boutique food, wine and accommodation providers.

This handpicked collection of businesses will showcase an exciting and innovative range of experiences – some a little bit off the beaten track – including food and wine matching, fire twirling, live music, chocolate appreciation classes and so much more.

The finest regional fare is on show with degustation dinners featuring the region's truffles, as well as special wine tasting events and exhibitions. Taste the Canberra District's best red wines, be entertained by innovative and exciting performances and events and feed your imagination at local exhibitions.

Take a journey through the Majura Valley and enjoy amazing local produce. The Majura Valley Experience starts at French Black Truffles of Canberra for a truffle hunt, before moving next door to Mount Majura Vineyard where you will enjoy a local truffle-infused brie matched with some outstanding wines. Travel down Majura Road and head to Pod Food in Pialligo to finish your experience with a three-course lunch.

Experience the thrill of a winter horseback trail ride through the hills as you muster the flock for shearing, then head to Four Winds Vineyard for a Sangiovese dinner matched with mouth-watering pizzas, before snuggling in for the night.

Step out in your winter finery and take in Lake George's mystery and beauty on a brisk Lake George Vineyards Walk. Call in and see the staff at the Lerida Estate Cellar Door to pick up your map and some notes on the walk, then stay a while to enjoy lunch at Café Lerida.

The celebrations continue throughout the month with live music in barrel rooms, assiette menus, tapas, launches of new season wines, high teas; it's enough to make you fall in love with winter.

While in the capital, pay a visit to the thriving foodie precinct Braddon, home to an eclectic mix of hipster coffee shops, casual eateries, bakeries, pubs, restaurants and nightspots, as well as new urban village The Hamlet that has become home to a fantastic array of street food vendors.

Discover how architecture, cuisine, art and a new expression of city dwelling combine in NewActon, home to the award-winning and uber-cool Hotel Hotel. The area offers adventurous food and drink venues such as Monster Kitchen and Bar, A.Baker, Mocan & Green Grout, Bicicletta and Parlour Wine Room.

Make Canberra your new winter getaway drive destination to experience exceptional food and wine, with a focus on seasonal produce. For more details to plan your trip to the Canberra region, visit http://visitcanberra.com.au/pages/fireside-festival