The Story Behind Melbourne’s Wine & Cheese Fest
The Wine and Cheese Fest in Melbourne was born out of a simple idea back in 2014: to create a fun, vibrant space where boutique and artisan producers could shine. The brainchild of a couple of passionate event organizers, the Food and Wine Festival aimed to be more exciting than the local Farmers Markets (which we absolutely love) and less formal than those pricey wine-tasting events.
Our mission was clear: to showcase the best local producers we already knew and to bring to light the hidden gems of the wine and cheese world—those small-scale makers tucked away in remote corners who might not have a cellar door or a shop, but who create some of the most unique and delicious products you’ll ever taste. Instead of traveling thousands of kilometers to discover these treasures, we decided to bring them all together under one roof, right here in Melbourne.
It wasn’t an easy feat to gather exhibitors from all across Victoria, and even from South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, and Tasmania. But the sell-out success of our inaugural event at Seaworks proved we were onto something special. Today, the Wine and Cheese Fest is a premier annual event, marked on every Melbourne foodie’s calendar.
This success comes from our unwavering commitment to supporting local wine and cheese makers and boutique producers. We’ve intentionally resisted the allure of big names to ensure that local businesses have a fair chance to thrive. From the spacious SEAWORKS Maritime precinct in Williamstown to the intimate MEAT MARKET venue in North Melbourne, and now at THE TIMBER YARD in Port Melbourne, our philosophy of “keeping it local” has been our guiding principle.
This unique approach has fostered a loyal community of vendors and patrons who continue to support us on this lively, positively charged journey.
If you’ve never been to our Wine and Cheese Fest, this year is the perfect time to join the thousands of foodies who indulge in the fantastic offerings at our premier Food and Wine Festival. And if you’ve yet to experience the thrill of stomping grapes, here’s your chance—enter the Grape Stomp Competition, and who knows, you might just win something! (Spoiler: Everyone does!)
Beyond the fun, we also offer a wealth of knowledge for those eager to learn. Our free Masterclasses, led by professionals, will introduce you to the art of sommelier skills and cheese-making.
Lastly, if you’ve attended any of our past festivals, why not see if you were caught on camera enjoying a cheesy moment? Check out our photo galleries below.
We can’t wait to see you at the next festival!
Cheers,
Sotir Stojcevski
(Festival Director—don’t worry about pronouncing that after a glass or two!)
