The Fine Wine Festival took Kiama locals by storm this Saturday, selling out the Pavilion Kiama in only 38 days, with a record number of 750 attendees. The festival featured some of the South Coast’s most beloved wineries, local vendors, local artists and a special performance by ARIA award winner Sneaky Sound System.

The team behind last year's highly successful Winter Wine Festival has now moved a suburb over, to the sunny shores of Kiama, making The Pavilion Kiama their new festival hub. 

Joseph Felice, the visionary behind the Winter Wine Festival, A Day On The Hill, Unwind In The Vines, and Stomping of The Grapes, and Brendon Cromber from RNR Productions and audio/pa partner, expressed their excitement about hosting more events at the venue this year and have ambitious plans to grow the festival. It's safe to say, we can look forward to more amazing festivals right on our doorstep.

Many local artists graced the stage including Jack Rose, Mark Crotti, Mac Tango, Dos Enos, MLC, Sam Francisco, Brendon & Clay Zane. ARIA award winner Sneaky Sound System was a highlight of the night, electrifying the crowd with their performance. They were the only non-local artists to perform and praised the incredible vibe and support from the local audience.

Brendon emphasised that the event was entirely supported by locals—from the produce to the wine to the artists. This brought vitality, tourism, and profit to local workers. Brendon, no stranger to the music scene, also reunited his brotherly band on stage with his brother, Clay Comber, to mark the occasion.

Brendon and Joseph are looking forward to expanding their festival in the coming year. In the current landscape of Australia's festival scene, many events have faced cancellations due to a variety of challenges, including economic pressures, logistical issues, and the lingering impacts of the pandemic. 

It’s clear that Kiama is becoming a beacon of hope for the Australian festival circuit. The dedication of organisers like Brendon and Joseph, combined with the enthusiastic support of the community, promises a bright future for Kiama festivals. So, keep an eye on this space and make sure to secure your tickets early for future events.