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Wine, Cheese, Beats & Truffle Treats: Why Horizontal Festival Is the Grown-Up Getaway We All Deserve
Move over, standing-room-only festivals and stressful logistics — there’s a new event shaking up the scene, and it’s got rosé rooms, sparkling bars, and a cheese den. Yes, please.
Launching this October long weekend (4–5 October 2025), Horizontal Festival is setting the gold standard for immersive, adult-friendly festivals. Held at Centennial Vineyards in the breathtaking Southern Highlands, this is not your average food and wine affair. Think: sensory overload in all the best ways — varietal-led tastings, mood-curated music zones, dreamy dessert pairings, and enough edible decadence to justify a babysitter for the whole weekend.
The Concept:
Is the brainchild of Amanda Fry, who wanted to create more than just an event — but an experience. “People are craving something more meaningful. This isn’t just about what’s in your glass — it’s about what’s around you, who you meet, and the story behind every sip and bite,” she says.
We’re talking themed zones that read like every parent’s fantasy escape:
- The Sparkling Bar for oysters and truffles with a side of classical music.
- The Cheese Den, where sweet meets salty and your self-control goes to die.
- The Rosé Room, aka masterclass heaven.
- The Hops Garden, serving burgers, brews, beats, and big weekend energy.
And for those chasing the sweet spot: Sweet Pairings, where wine and dessert finally get the main-character moment they deserve.
It’s part cellar door crawl, part outdoor concert, part interactive art exhibit. You’ll find DJs, jazz ensembles, hands-on food and wine workshops, and a buzzing community of NSW’s best producers — all curated to flow from one experience to the next. And the name? Horizontal isn’t about lying down (although, yes, you’ll probably want to roll out a picnic rug between zones). It’s about levelling out — a refreshing take on discovery without the overwhelm.
There’s also a big tick for regional impact, with the NSW Government and Destination NSW proudly backing the festival as a major tourism initiative. Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Steve Kamper, said, “Horizontal Festival brings together our incredible producers, musicians, and artists in one of the state’s most stunning locations — it’s a celebration of everything that makes NSW special.”
Our tip? Grab your friends, hire a house nearby, and lock in that group babysitter now. Whether you’re in it for the rosé or the red, the jazz or the jams, this is one weekend away that hits all the high notes.
Tickets go on sale in early July via Ticketmaster
Centennial Vineyards, Bowral NSW