The Strategem Bendigo Winemakers Festival gave locals and visitors to Bendigo plenty to enjoy on Saturday 29 April 2017. The Autumn day was the perfect mix of Bendigo region wines, food stalls and music that made patrons smile. Having moved from Castlemaine Botanical Gardens in 2016, the central location of Rosalind Park in Bendigo proved the ideal setting for a relaxed and festive crowd.

The region's new releases and award-winning wines were on show for patrons to enjoy said Bendigo Winegrowers Association President Wes Vine.

"More than 50 wines from 16 wineries showed the great diversity of the Bendigo wine region.

"Patrons were able to meet local winemakers and hear about the latest vintage first-hand," he said.

Patrons pulled up a deck chair, laid out a picnic rug and took in the autumn day.

"The Bendigo region wines offered today were certainly crowd pleasers.

"Thank you to Strategem for coming on board again as the event's major sponsor," said Wes.

Contagious jazz, pop, blues and swing music from Erica Hawkey Band and The Northern Folk rippled through the crowd and a range of food stalls offered tasty food plates.

Great wine and food in the historic setting of Rosalind Park in the heart of Bendigo - what more could you want.

Thank you to sponsors Strategem, Fastway Couriers Bendigo, Premium Bottlers, City of Greater Bendigo, Bendigo Tourism, Loddon Shire Council.