The annual
Rutherglen Winery Walkabout held over the Queen's Birthday long weekend is Victoria's original wine festival and has been attracting hordes of enthusiasts to the districts wineries for 40 years.

The vineyards around Rutherglen have a long history of producing great wines. Photo: Ian Gill/footloosephoto
It's a long and well accepted fact that the historic Rutherglen wine region produces some of Australia's truly great wines. In 2012 Gourmet Traveller rated two local cellar doors in Australia's top three and the 2014 James Halliday Wine Companion rates seven local producers as 5-Star.
Admission to the annual Walkabout costs $25 per person and includes a 2014 Walkabout wine glass. A local shuttle-bus pass costs an additional $25 and a regional pass is $35.
The local pass covers wineries at Rutherglen, Corowa and Wahgunyah while the regional pass reaches further afield to cover Lavington, Albury/Wodonga, Howlong, Mulwala, Yarrawonga, Bundalong, Wangaratta and Chiltern. Routes and timetables are available at
www.winemakers.com.au

Wines produced in and around Rutherglen are renowned for their quality and have won numerous awards. Photo: Carlos Porto/freedigitalphotos.net
Armed with your glass and bus pass you're set to do the rounds of the 19 participating wineries at your leisure.
Advanced bookings are recommended and can be made on
www.winemakers.com or by telephone to 1300 787 929.
The 19 participating wineries are:-
Pfeiffer Wines, Cofield Wines, Valhalla Wines, All Saints Estate, St Leonards Vineyard, John Gehrig Wines, King Jack Winery, Morris Wines, Mt Prior Vineyard, Campbell Wines, Bullers Wines, Lake Moodemere, Warrabilla Wines, Andersons Winery, Jones Winery & Vineyard, Chambers Rosewood, Stanton & Killeen, Scion Vineyard & Winery and Rutherglen Estates.

When it comes to quality wine Rutherglen and districts punch well above their weight. Photo: satit_srihim/freedigitalphotos.net