Fleurieu’s winter warmers are here and there’s plenty to unearth

The fire’s on, the wine’s pouring, and the Fleurieu’s dishing it up

Winter’s not just for hibernating – at least not on the Fleurieu.

Fleurieu Unearthed is here to celebrate the simple pleasures of the cooler months, with a bumper calendar of events from August to October that’ll give visitors plenty of reasons to head south and stick around.

Three major festivals are joining forces under the Fleurieu Unearthed banner:

Fleurieu Food Festival (all of August) – a region-wide showcase of local producers and plates

Langhorne Creek Cellar Treasures (15–17 August) – rare vintages, intimate tastings, and long table feasts

McLaren Vale Grenache & Gourmet (19 Sept–6 Oct) – an ode to Grenache, paired with seriously good food

Some of the standout experiences on the Fleurieu Unearthed calendar are the kind that stick with you – full of flavour, local stories, and the kind of hospitality the region is known for.

At Nest & Nature, visitors can enjoy an intimate off-grid dining experience with Will Doak of Lost Phoenix Farm, a chef passionate about wild food, fire cooking, and letting seasonal ingredients do the talking.

Canoe the Coorong is offering something a little more hands-on – literally. Their guided tours let you paddle through the stunning Coorong National Park before pulling up on the dunes for a bush tucker walk and a local fish burger cooked fresh on the sand. It’s part adventure, part culinary delight, and all very Fleurieu.

For those chasing something a little more indulgent, The Retreat at Chapel Hill is hosting a two-night food and wine escape, blending hands-on cooking experiences with luxurious accommodation and plenty of local drops.

Over in Langhorne Creek, food meets storytelling at a series of long lunches with bold, coastal flavours from Kuti Shack, creative dishes from Hays St, and perfectly matched wines from Bremerton. It’s all about slowing down, soaking up the region, and hearing directly from the producers and chefs behind each course.

And if mushrooms are your thing and you’re name’s not Erin, Ekhidna Kitchen & Wines is delivering the goods with its Fun-ghi’s Dining Experience – a seven-course menu dedicated to the mighty mushroom. Curated by award-winning chef Kane Livingston, each course is paired with premium local wines and insights from the passionate growers at Choice Mushrooms, who are behind every bite.

For Fleurieu operators, this campaign isn’t just about showcasing what’s on – it’s a real chance to get in front of a broader audience. With the region featured in the state’s ‘Simple Pleasures’ winter tourism push, now’s the time to jump on board. Whether you’re hosting events, offering local stays, pouring wine or guiding tours, you can tap into this momentum. Details on how to get involved can be found here.

Chef Todd Steele says the festival is more than just a good feed and “It’s a hugely rewarding experience when people come to our region, taste our produce, and connect with our community of farmers, growers and operators.”

Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison reckons it’s a perfect fit for the Fleurieu. “This campaign captures the essence of South Australia’s simple pleasures – and the Fleurieu does it better than most, with events that bring visitors back again and again.”