8 things to do and eat during Canberra District Wine Week 2016

Welcome to the Canberra District Wine Week. The capital region's wine harvest festival has had a major upgrade, going from a weekend affair to a whole week of festivities.

This year you'll be able to take in wine dinners, trips to the region and a special appearance from Fairfax wine writer Huon Hooke.

Canberra District Wine Association president John Leyshon says it was time for a refresh of the harvest festival. "It was getting a bit tired and so we wanted to tart it up a bit," he says.

The harvest weekend is still one of the highlights of the week, with a variety of wineries putting on events, live music and tastings from Hall to Lake George and beyond.

But this time there are more events spread across the week such as degustation dinners with matched wines, a pizza and sangiovese night, and many, many wine tastings.

And of course there's the presence of a big wine name in Hooke, who writes weekly columns and wine reviews for Fairfax in the Sydney Morning Herald.

"The biggest coup we've had is getting Huon Hooke. We twisted Tim [Kirk's] arm and he has a fair bit to do with the wine writers and convinced Huon that he should come," Leyshon says with a laugh.

Hooke and Tim Kirk of Clonakilla will host the opening dinner for Wine Week on April 6 at Hotel Realm.

Leyshon says the main aim is to get people to think of Canberra as a destination for wine. "We're becoming reasonably well known in Canberra so most people in the surrounds are starting to learn about us. But we still get people from Sydney who are surprised that there is a wine industry and then surprised about the quality," he says.

8 events not to miss at Wine Week

Pinot noir gems

Join the owners of Lerida Estate, Pankhurst Wines and Domaine Rogha Crois for an evening at Muse to taste some of their hidden pinot noir gems. Monday, April 4, at 6.30pm. $60. See musecanberra.com.au/events.

Natural and alternative wine dinner

Head to eightysix in Braddon for a dinner with a difference. Taste wines out of left field from Eden Road, Lark Hill, Mount Majura and Ravensworth, with a five course meal. Corner of Elouera and Lonsdale Streets, Braddon. Tuesday, April 5 at 7pm. $110. Book on 6161 8686.

Huon Hooke and Tim Kirk

The Canberra District Wine Week official launch dinner is hosted by Clonakilla winemaker Tim Kirk and Fairfax wine writer Huon Hooke. Five courses matched to 13 wines from local wineries such as Clonakilla, Lark Hill, Ravensworth and Nick O'Leary wines. Hotel Realm, 18 National Circuit, Barton. Wednesday, April 6, at 6.30pm. $160. Book on 6163 1800. See cdww.com.au.

Sangiovese and pizza

Four Winds Vineyard's popular sangiovese and pizza dinner is on again - winemakers from across the region present their sangiovese wines matched with different pizzas. 9 Patemans Lane, Murrumbateman. Thursday, April 7, at 6.30pm. $55. Book on hello@fourwindsvineyard.com.au. See cdww.com.au.

Garden dinner

Poachers Pantry and Wily Trout Vineyard host a "veggie patch" dinner, with the chef cooking in the garden, smoked meats and matched wines. Plus a peek at wines still in the barrel. Friday, April 8, at 6.30pm. $120. See cdww.com.au.

Harvest festival

The weekend of April 9 and 10 sees wineries across the region put on foot stomping, live music, scavenger hunts, art shows, and special lunches. Highlights include scarecrow making for kids at Yarrh Wines, a fudge day at Summerhill Road Vineyard and bluegrass music at Pankhurst Wines. See cdww.com.au.

Majura breakfast

The Elk and Pea hosts a special trip to Majura Valley to explore the produce and wine of the region before a four course degustation breakfast featuring products from the valley back in Canberra at the restaurant. Sunday, April 10 at 10am. Book on 6162 0222 or hello@elkandpea.com.au.

Lamb and cabernet

Huon Hooke will be in attendance at a six course dinner featuring dishes made with local lamb, matched to cabernet from the Canberra region. Hosted by Helm Wines, Shaw Vineyard Estate, Yarrh Wines and Dionysus Winery. Flint at Shaw Vineyard Estate, 34 Isabel Drive, Murrumbateman. Thursday, April 7 at 7pm. $95. Book on 6227 5144. See cdww.com.au.