What to do at the Fireside Festival 2015 in Canberra

A glass of wine, an open fire, a hearty dinner of smoked meat, roast lamb or duck. What more could you ask from winter in Canberra? The Fireside Festival is back again this year with a month-long calendar of dinners, masterclasses and day trips throughout the Canberra region in August.

The festival is the product of the Poachers Way, a group of restaurants, cafes, wineries and producers spread across the region from Gundaroo to Pialligo to Murrumbateman.

Project manager Tania Ward says many of the signature events - horse riding, the duck and pinot dinner at Grazing - draw Canberrans out into the countryside in increasing numbers.

"We've got some degustation offerings all month at Poachers and you can't really go past the hot chocolate at Robyn Rowe. It's a great opportunity for people to go out there and discover the beautiful reds in the region, too," she says.

More events are still being added to the calendar, including a Majura Valley experience involving French Black Truffles, Mount Majura Vineyard and Pod Food that's yet to come, so it's worth checking the Fireside Festival website for updates.

"We are really lucky in Canberra that we get a true winter - everyone used to shun it but we're saying get out and celebrate," she says.

Here's our guide to what to do and see during the festival.

Poachers degustation

Head to Poachers Pantry for a five course degustation lunch matched to Wily Trout wines. $95-$120. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday during August. 431 Nanima Road, Hall. 6230 2487

Duck and pinot masterclass

Learn about the joys of matching duck with pinot noir and pinot gris at Lerida Estate. There'll be duck canapes and desserts with Lerida wines. $65. Saturday, August 8 at 11am. Lerida Estate, Federal Highway at Lake George. 6295 6640.

High tea

Tallagandra Hill winery at Gundaroo is putting on finger sandwiches, petit fours, pastries and scones with a glass of their sparkling chardonnay. $45. High tea will be served Saturday and Sunday August 22-23 and August 29-30.1692 Murrumbateman Road. 6236 8694.

Winter beer dinner

Flint at Shaw Vineyard is hosting a five course dinner with matching boutique beers from around the world. $95. Saturday, August 29 at 6pm.

Horse trail rides

Go on a horse ride through the countryside before settling in front of the open fire for marshmallows and a mug of hot chocolate. Burnelee Excursions run a variety of rides - they go for two hours, half a day or a full day all through August. $90-$210. 320 Dicks Creek Road, Murrumbateman. 6227 5850.

Fireside truffles

Lerida Estate's cafe will feature truffle dishes on the menu for breakfast and lunch at the winery during the truffle season. Federal Highway at Lake George. 6295 6640.

Light my fire

The Bungendore Woodworks Gallery is hosting an evening evening with gluwein, fire twirling, jazz and classical music and a hearty three course winter meal. $60. Saturday, August 29 at 6pm. 22 Malbon Street, Bungendore.

Duck and pinot dinner

Grazing's annual duck and pinot degustation is a signature event on the Fireside Festival calendar. Six courses of duck dishes and matching wines. $125-$165. Saturday, August 29 at 6.30pm. Corner of Cork and Harp Streets, Gundaroo. 6236 8777.

Wine and cheese masterclass

Janet Gavey from the Essential Ingredient will talk about cheese making while Jim Lumbers of Lerida Estate will talk about winemaking styles. Both will suggest wines to match with cheeses. $25. Saturday, August 29, at 11am. Federal Highway at Lake George. 6295 6640

Sangiovese and wood-fired pizza

Four Winds Vineyard plays host to four different winemakers, who will talk to you about their sangiovese wines matched with wood-fired pizzas. Saturday, August 15 and August 29 at 6pm. $45. 9 Patemans Lane, Murrumbateman. 0432 060 903.

Smoked goods and wine

Try Pialligo Estate's award-winning smoked bacon, salmon, trout, ham and duck, all matched with Lerida Estate wines. $45. Saturday, August 15 at 11am. Lerida Estate, Federal Highway at Lake George. 6295 6640

Fireside feast

Flint at Shaw Vineyard will put on a special festival meal throughout August, with wood-fired camembert, slow roasted lamb shoulder and dessert. Minimum 2 people. $49. 34 Isabel Drive, Murrumbateman. 6227 5144.

The Fireside Festival runs until August 31 around the Canberra region. See thepoachersway.com.au for details