30 Of Western Australia’s Finest Wineries Are Taking Over The Wharves For An Epic Golden Hour Tasting
sip now or forever hold your peace
By Victoria Lewis | 4th August 2026There are few things a Brisbane local loves more than a golden hour glow and a crisp vino to get them through the week, so we are here to spread the word about an event that combines both in truly epic proportions. Taking over Howard Smith Wharves on Tuesday, 18 August, EXHILARATING wines from Western Australia will be the one-off wine showcase all connoisseurs ought to get in on.
Bringing over 150 wines from more than 30 of Western Australia’s finest producers, this first-of-its-kind event gives Brisbane locals a rare opportunity to sip their way through one of Australia’s most acclaimed wine regions without the cross-country airfare, spanning celebrated sips from renowned wineries to innovative small-batch gems from emerging trailblazers.
Wine lovers, you’re really in for a treat with this one; here’s what’s in store.
The Golden Hour Showcase
This is not your average Tuesday evening. Touching down in Brisbane for one night only, esteemed and emerging wineries from hotspots like Margaret River and beyond will have their pours on offer for Brisbane locals to sip and savour at an all-inclusive 3-hour tasting.
Priced at $75, your Golden Hour Showcase ticket will grant you entry into the immersive world of Western Australian wine, where you can walk around and taste ’til your heart’s content, meet the makers, and nibble on curated grazing items as you wander from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Each ticketholder will also take home a Riedel Overture Red Wine glass to commemorate the occasion long after the last pour.
Meet the maker: With more than two decades of international winemaking experience, Brendan Carr from Idée Fixe will be pouring his innovative Margaret River Chardonnay in-person at the EXHILARATING wine showcase.
VIP treatment
You can also opt for the ultimate VIP experience guided by an esteemed wine critic. Starting with early access to the showcase at 5pm, VIP ticketholders will be in for an intimate guided tasting by Australian reviewer for Robert Parker Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin. Follow her as she details the hand-selected wines that inspire her and define Western Australia’s iconic and emerging wine scene, before leisurely exploring the showcase at your own pace. Priced at $180, this exclusive experience is already nearly sold out, so it’s truly now or never. Snap up your tickets here.
Esteemed wine critic Erin Larkin will be hosting masterclasses and a guided VIP tasting at EXHILARATING Brisbane.
150 wines under one roof
This is a wine night that lets you do it all. Taste three Australian icons in one room: Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay, Cullen Diana Madeline and Vasse Felix Tom Cullity. Discover your new ‘go-to’ white with more than 15 expressions of the QLD favourite Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blends, ranging from bright and refreshing to richly textured and food-friendly. And uncover why the world’s attention is on Margaret River Cabernet. Plus, shake hands personally with over a dozen winemakers and owners, learning about the landscapes and winemaking philosophies that define the region. Sip on small-batch runs from bottles rarely poured outside Western Australia. Here, every glass has a story, and it’s travelled around 4,000km to do so.
Featuring appearances from seven of Australia’s Top 100 Wineries (Halliday Wine Companion), including icons such as Leeuwin Estate, Vasse Felix, and Cullen Wines, alongside exciting new players like Corymbia, Swinney, Castle Rock Estate, and Vino Volta, this golden hour tasting is an opportunity to try something new in a relaxed setting (no pretentiousness involved).
Vasse Felix
Wines of Western Australia CEO Larry Jorgensen puts it best: “Queensland wine lovers are increasingly curious and adventurous, making Brisbane the perfect home for the stories, energy, innovation and individuality that have become hallmarks of the EXHILARATING wines from Western Australia.”
This is your chance to watch as the sun sets over the sparkling Brisbane River, glass in hand, and toast to all that Western Australia’s nine glorious wine regions have to offer. Tickets are available for purchase for EXHILARATING wines from Western Australia’s Brisbane showcase here.
The details:
What: EXHILARATING wines from Western Australia When: General admission, 5:30pm–8:30pm; VIP entry from 5pm Where: Howard Smith Wharves, Brisbane City Tickets: General admission, $75pp; VIP, $180pp. Purchase your ticket here.
Imagery: Cullen Wines / Ovis – Margaret River Wine Association
