In yet another tentative step towards a “hot vax summer”, Sydney’s favourite island wine party, Wine Island, has announced its return next year. From March 18–20, the vino festival is set to take over Clark Island in Sydney Harbour, with an array of boutique Aussie and international wineries, as well as bars and beer gardens, plenty of food options and a bunch of masterclasses.

Fever-Tree Ferries will shuttle guests to the island; a cocktail for your journey is included in the ticket price. Once you’ve embarked, head to any number of stalls from wineries including Chateau Tanunda, Hungerford Hill, Nepenthe, Tulloch and Rosabelle.

If you prefer drinks of the non-grape variety, there’s plenty of alternatives. Pull up a seat in the 4 Pines Beer Garden, prop up at the Archie Rose Gin Bar or get fizzy with it at the Fever-Tree Island Spritz Bar. There’ll also be rum from Brix Distillers, whisky from Ned, Grainshaker vodka and Brookvale Union seltzer, as well as bars offering frosés and prosés (a prosecco slushie), punch and iced tea.

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Offset all that booze up with food from Olio Kensington Street, Joey’s Lobsters and BL Burgers, and luxe it up at East 33’s oyster bar or an artisan cheese room.

You could spend your time on the island soaking up some rays. Or, you could head to a Pinot & Picasso class, enjoy an Archie Rose gin masterclass, get free tastings from Wine Selectors and cut a rug on the Silent Vino Disco dancefloor.

There’s two types of tickets available. The 5-Star Experience (from $109) includes ferries to and from the island, a cocktail on the ferry to the island, five wine tastings, a tumbler, Wine Selectors masterclasses and access to the silent disco. The 7-Star Experience (from $209) gets you all of the above, but double the wine tastings, a meal voucher, tote bag, water bottle and access to the 7 Star Area, with unlimited tastings at the East 33 Oyster Bar and the Rosé Garden Bar.

Wine Island runs from March 18–20, 2022. Pre-sale tickets go on sale at midday on October 25. General public tickets go on sale at midday on October 27. There’s two sessions each day, from 10am and from 4pm.

wineisland.com.au