If you fancy a day of good food, wine and beats in the Adelaide Hills, this is just the ticket. And they’ve even put on a bus to get you there and back.

There’s a lovely synergy between spring’s bursting blooms and corks popping on bottles of sparkling wine. So, it’s highly unlikely that this writer is alone in viewing the season as one in which to lounge outdoors with a glass of bubbles or two. Or maybe even a cider.

Enter Sidewood Estate’s upcoming weekend, part of the Adelaide Hills Wine Region’s Sparkling Spring 2023, and an invitation to two days of good food, wine and music in a setting made for kicking back with friends.

Owen and Cassandra Inglis’ family owned winery is a little bit famous for its cool climate wines (almost 100 trophies and 570 gold medals), its Australian art collection, and its lawn bowls and pétanque courts. And then there is the striking black-clad Sidewood Restaurant (winner of Great Wine Capitals’ Best Wine Tourism Restaurant 2023) set among the eucalyptus trees and landscaped gardens.

Each day of this Sparkling Spring event is a little different, meaning it wouldn’t look the least bit odd if one spent the entire weekend there, sprawled on the lush lawns under shady trees. A day’s ticket includes admission, an AHWR glass to keep and the first pour is on Sidewood.

At Bubbles & Beats on Saturday, the star of the food will be that most festive of dishes, a seafood paella, smoky and full of flavour, while DJ Quinny will be spinning the decks with chilled out tunes all day.

Sunday’s Sip & Serenade is set to be spectacular with a whole pig roasting on a spit and Jake Daulby and his acoustic band adding to the day’s laidback vibes. Kids are welcome on Sunday – tickets for them are $8 each.

On both days, there’ll also be woodfired pizzas, freshly shucked oysters with caviar, and other tempting menu items from the Sidewood kitchen. To keep the party flowing, they’ll be tapping into the wide selection of award-winning Sidewood wines and ciders.

With Sidewood only 15 minutes up the freeway from Adelaide, there’ll be a private bus operating to and from the venue. No need to argue over who’s the designated driver, just get oneself to the Arkaba Hotel and get in the mood with the included glass of sparkling. Sorry, no kids allowed on this bus!

Tickets for each session are $20 or $45 (including return bus travel). Get yours here and here.