By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
Imagine wandering through a European market on a sunny Saturday…the smell of fresh bread mingling with crisp garden herbs, the chatter of locals haggling for the best produce and a glass of sparkling wine in hand.
Before you fret at the cost of a last-minute trip to Provence or Sicily, here’s the good news - that same experience is now on offer in Sydney…with a distinctly local twist.
This October, popular paddock-to-plate restaurant Chiswick is inviting Sydneysiders to do market days differently - with its first-ever Spring Wine Market, set to transform the lush Chiswick lawn into a one-day celebration of boutique and local Australian producers.
On Saturday, October 25, from 12 pm to 7 pm, guests can enjoy a relaxed afternoon exploring stalls of carefully curated wines, artisanal food and a pop-up St-Germain Spritz Bar. Entry is $10 at the door and includes a Chiswick Spring Wine Market glass, with 50 per cent of profits going towards supporting a local Woollahra community initiative. It’s an invitation to taste, sip and discover with purpose.
The wine list reads like a tour of Australia’s finest regions. From Audrey Wilkinson in the Hunter Valley to Eminence in Whitlands High Plateau, Yangarra Estate in McLaren Vale to Collector Wines in Canberra District, the market offers a chance to meet the makers and sample their creations.
For fans of something a little different, the beverage highlights include the St Germain Hugo Spritz, the White Linen, the Stealth Margarita and the Burleigh x Budvar Czech Mates lager, perfect for sipping while wandering between the stalls.
Of course, a wine market wouldn’t be complete without delicious bites to nibble along the way. Chiswick has curated a menu to complement the tastings: fresh oysters, custard tarts, Moran Family Farm charcuterie with garden pickles, prawn cocktails, barramasalata, lamb and halloumi rolls and artisan cheese from The Artisan Cheese Room in Paddington.
Each dish is designed to pair beautifully with the wines, enhancing the experience and inviting guests to linger on the lawn.
As you move from stall to stall, there’s a joyful sense of discovery. One moment you’re chatting with a winemaker about the unique terroir of the Heathcote region, the next you’re sampling a custard tart or tasting a rare single-vineyard Shiraz.
Live acoustic and jazz music adds a European-style charm to the day, blending effortlessly with the Sydney sunshine and the beautifully curated Chiswick surroundings.
The market isn’t just about indulgence, it’s about connection. Meeting the people behind the wine and food, hearing their stories and tasting their passion creates an experience that is as enriching as it is delicious.
While you’re sipping a St-Germain Elderflower Spritz or a Burleigh x Budvar lager, there’s the added satisfaction of supporting local producers and a community initiative.
For anyone who has wandered through the stalls of a European food market and wished for a similar experience at home, the Chiswick Spring Wine Market delivers. It’s a chance to explore, taste and enjoy in a setting that feels both cosmopolitan and unmistakably Sydney.
The combination of boutique wines, seasonal bites, live entertainment and the vibrant atmosphere of Chiswick Lawn creates a day that’s part adventure, part indulgence and entirely memorable.
So, mark your calendar. Grab a friend, put on your sun hat, and head to Chiswick Lawn on Saturday, October 25. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur, a foodie, or just someone looking for a lovely way to spend an afternoon, the Spring Wine Market promises a sensory adventure.
Come for the sunshine, stay for the wine and leave with new favourites, happy memories and a taste of local Australian excellence done a little differently.
