Around the region: winter by the fire, and a national nod for Helm

Here is a quick lap of what has surfaced at the wineries we follow, and a piece of good news for one of Murrumbateman's old hands.

A national nod for Helm

Helm Wines has three wines named in The Real Review's Wine Classification of Australia. The Classic Dry Riesling and Premium Riesling both sit in the top Merit Tier, and the Premium Cabernet Sauvignon in the next tier down. It is not a competition result but a longevity honour: the classification only considers wines with a track record across ten or more vintages, assessed by blind review, so it rewards consistency over a single strong year. For a family riesling name that has been at it in Murrumbateman for decades, that is a fitting kind of recognition. More on Helm's news page.

Fireside and truffle season

Mount Majura Vineyard is running Fireside Festival Raclette Nights on Friday 31 July and Friday 7 August, from 5:30pm, with raclette scraped over the table by Le Cheeserie, outdoor firepits and marshmallows to toast among the vines. They are also pouring a truffled brie and wine tasting through truffle season, using fresh truffle from the farm next door, on until the end of August. Details on their events page.

Pankhurst Wines has a Truffle Cheese and Wines festival every weekend from 25 July to 9 August, with truffle platters served around an open fire alongside their winter reds: the pinot noir, sangiovese, tempranillo and cabernet grown on the property since 1986. There is a blind tasting each weekend, and lambs and alpacas mowing the vineyard while you sip. Bookings through Pankhurst.

Long lunches and bonfires

Lake George Winery is putting on a Christmas in July lunch on Saturday 25 July, 10am to 4pm, with two or three course menus and a children's option, in the Westering dining dome looking out over the vines. See what is on at Lake George.

Vineyard 1207 at Murrumbateman is firing up a bonfire evening with a slow-cooked casserole dinner and a glass of their estate red. Plenty of seating, but bring a camp chair if you have a favourite. Dates and tickets on their events page.

Also worth a look

Tallagandra Hill at Gundaroo is stacking up a live music line-up into spring and summer, with Meg Washington in October and both Joe Camilleri and Ross Wilson booked in for December. One for the gig-and-a-glass crowd; the full calendar is on their events page.

Almost every winery here is a short drive from the city, most open on weekends, all small enough that the person pouring often made the wine. When you are ready for a day out, the trip planner will map you a route across the region, cellar door to cellar door.