The Red Series Ballarat
17 + 18 July 2026
Where: The Ballarat Mining Exchange
Three Sessions: Fri 17 July (4–7pm) & Sat 18 July 2026 (12–3pm & 4–7pm)
Tickets: Here
The Red Series brings together the Grampians and Pyrenees regions’ finest wineries in equal parts education, indulgence and good old-fashioned fun!
Over three sessions (plus an optional add-on masterclass), you’ll have the chance to taste your way through some of the best wine that Western Victoria has to offer – from flagship Shiraz to elegant Riesling and everything in between. To top it off, the event is set against the backdrop of one of regional Victoria’s most spectacular heritage venues – The Ballarat Mining Exchange.
Each ticket includes a souvenir bag, wine glass and charcuterie cone, with additional food available for purchase.
Tickets are on sale now at events.humanitix.com/red-series-2026
The Red Series takes place at the Ballarat Mining Exchange: Friday 17th July (4–7pm) and Saturday 18th July (12–3pm and 4–7pm), with an optional Shiraz Masterclass on Saturday evening.
Your Red Series Wine Weekend
If you’re heading to this year’s event, make it the perfect excuse for a foodie weekend in Ballarat. From world-class wine at the Mining Exchange, you’ll find incredible restaurants all within a short walk of the venue (and sessions early enough to head out for dinner afterward).
Across the road from the venue, The George Hotel is opening their new wine bar the same weekend, pouring exclusively Grampians & Pyrenees drops. There are a few special offers for Red Series ticketholders, including a woodfired pizza and glass of wine for $20 both days, plus espresso martinis and margaritas cocktail specials.
Ellington’s Wine Bar also has a special offer available for Red Series ticketholders – enjoy a pre- or post-show Grampians wine (red or white) and cheese board for $40. Simply present your Red Series ticket when paying to redeem this offer; find them at 405A Sturt Street.
See more ideas for your Ballarat Wine Weekend at Visit Ballarat.
The Red Series – Meet the Makers
Winter’s best wine event returns to the Ballarat on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th of July 2026. Coinciding with the commencement of ‘red wine weather’, The Red Series brings the best of Western Victoria’s wine to one iconic location at Ballarat’s historic Mining Exchange. From famed Shiraz to a range of other varieties (some whites included), this celebration of great wine is a chance to meet the makers and ask all of your wine questions, or just sip and taste at your leisure with friends.
Join us at The Red Series to enjoy wine from …
Mount Langi Ghiran
Seppelt Great Western
Best’s Wines
Clayfield Wines
Black & Ginger Wines
Clarnette
Grampians Estate
Peerick
Blue Pyrenees Estate
Quartz Hill
Kara Kara
Sally’s Paddock
Glenlofty
Michael Unwin Wines
CLARNETTE WINES – Meet Leigh Clarnette
Leigh Clarnette is one of the Grampians’ most respected winemakers — a craftsman who has spent over four decades learning the land and letting it speak through his wines. Leigh brings a rare combination of deep regional knowledge, instinctive skill and genuine humility to every vintage. He believes great wine is made in the vineyard first, and his hands-on approach — from vine to bottle — reflects a lifelong commitment to the place he calls home. Whether walking the rows at dawn or fine-tuning a blend in the winery, Leigh’s purpose is simple: make beautiful, honest wine worth sharing.
Wine to taste: Grampians Nebbiolo
MT LANGHI GHIRAN – Meet Adam Louder
Chief Winemaker at Mount Langi Ghiran, Adam Louder was born and raised in the Grampians. He began his career at Langi in 1998 as a cellar hand under the legendary Trevor Mast, whose mentorship sparked Adam’s passion for cool-climate winemaking. He went on to gain global experience across the Pyrenees, Margaret River, Bordeaux and Napa Valley, completing 32 harvests. Returning to Langi in 2016, Adam is dedicated to honouring the estate’s legacy while crafting complex, age-worthy wines that reflect the unique character of the Grampians.
Wine to taste: Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz
SEPPELT GREAT WESTERN: Meet Clare Dry
Seppelt lead winemaker Clare Dry brings a thoughtful, highly skilled approach to one of Australia’s most historic wine portfolios. She leads the Seppelt winemaking team across still and sparkling wines, working with fruit from Great Western, Drumborg and other Victorian regions. For Clare, the role is about honouring Seppelt’s extraordinary heritage (a history spanning back to 1865) while continuing to craft wines with freshness, precision and a strong sense of place.
Wine to taste: Seppelt Original Sparkling Shiraz.
BLUE PYRENEES ESTATE: Meet Eden Walpole
With foundations in the Hunter Valley and a career spanning more than 15 years and multiple regions at home and abroad, Eden arrived in the Pyrenees with a breadth of perspective that is relatively rare. Seventeen vintages in, his focus is on wines that speak honestly about where they come from. At Blue Pyrenees, this includes 60 years of winegrowing history and a vineyard of remarkable diversity in soils, elevation and character.
Wine to taste: Blue Pyrenees Estate Red.
BLACK AND GINGER: Meet Hadyn Black
Hadyn Black has never been all that interested in making the obvious wine. At Black & Ginger, his approach is built around curiosity – seeking out lesser-known grape varieties, growing and sourcing interesting small-batch fruit and letting the season lead the way. There’s no rigid formula here, just a genuine belief that wine should be fun, accessible and never take itself too seriously. Hadyn’s philosophy is simple: break down the barriers around unfamiliar varieties, make something delicious and let people discover something new. Because at the end of the day, it’s just fermented grape juice – and it should taste great.
Wine to taste: Black and Ginger The Virginia Merlot
BEST’S GREAT WESTERN: Meet Jacob Parton
Jacob Parton is the winemaker at Best’s Great Western, joining the team as assistant before stepping into the lead role. In a short time he has received great reviews and awards for his work, with the Great Western Riesling winning 3 trophies at the Canberra International Wine Challenge and bringing home the top award, Best Riesling of the show. However, the Red Series is about bolder (but equally approachable) styles, so it must be mentioned that the flagship wine – Thomson Family Shiraz – holds a prestigious ‘1st Classified’ ranking in Langton’s Classification of Australian Wine.
Wine to taste: Best’s Great Western Bin No. 0 Shiraz
The Grampians Wine Region
Located against the backdrop of the magnificent Grampians and Pyrenees mountain ranges is one of Australia’s most historical and acclaimed wine regions.
Producing quality wine since the 1860s, the region has an impressive mix of large and boutique wineries surrounding the towns of Great Western, Ararat, Buangor, Moyston and Halls Gap.
From famous sparkling wines to the region’s signature Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Dolcetto, our award-winning wines are nothing short of spectacular.
So take the time to taste, discover and delight in the Grampians wine region – our cellar doors are open and waiting!
Wineries
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Grampians Wine Region
Located against the backdrop of the magnificent Grampians and Pyrenees mountain ranges is one of Australia’s most historical and acclaimed wine regions.
Producing quality wine since the 1860s, the region has an impressive mix of large and boutique wineries surrounding the towns of Great Western, Ararat, Buangor, Moyston and Halls Gap.
From famous sparkling wines to the region’s signature Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Dolcetto, our award-winning wines are nothing short of spectacular.
So take the time to taste, discover and delight in the Grampians wine region – our cellar doors are open and waiting!
Grampians Wine Region
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