Arts & Attractions
Taste, Sip and Savour NSW’s Finest at Horizontal Festival 2025
We have your October long weekend plans sorted! Discover the brand-new food, wine and music festival at Centennial Vineyards.
If your dream weekend sounds like sipping wine in the sun, tasting dishes from award-winning chefs, grooving to live music, and uncovering the very best of NSW’s food and drink scene, then get ready: the very first Horizontal Festival is landing this October long weekend at Centennial Vineyards, Bowral – and trust us, you’re going to want in.
Taking place on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 October 2025, this brand-new festival is flipping the script on your usual “food and wine weekend”. It’s part concert, part feast, part art show, and 100% sensory indulgence. Think rolling vineyards, creative cocktails, music, and a lineup of culinary royalty ready to show you exactly why Australia’s dining scene is world-class.
Beyond the Plate
This isn’t just about food and wine. Across both days, Horizontal Festival serves up a full program of live music (with performances from 19-Twenty, Emma Pask and Rachael Fahim), design, art, and local culture. Whether you’re in it for the daytime session (12pm–4pm) or the evening vibes (5:30pm–9:30pm), expect world-class wines, craft beers, distillery tastings, and a soundtrack to match the setting.
19-Twenty
Set to take to the stage across the weekend (Saturday 5:30pm-9:30pm and Sunday 12-4pm) 19-Twenty are a powerhouse blues and roots band known for their explosive live performances and infectious energy.
Since forming in 2010, the trio—Kane Dennelly, Jeremy Berg, and John Gwilliam—have built a reputation for blending blues, roots, rock, and folk into a sound that’s uniquely their own. Their shows are a wild mix of soulful vocals, intricate guitar, and foot-stomping rhythms that get audiences moving every time. Having toured extensively across Australia and internationally, they’ve lit up stages from intimate venues to some of the country’s biggest festivals. With appearances at Byron Bay Bluesfest, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Blues on Broadbeach, and beyond, 19-Twenty continue to prove why they’re one of Australia’s most exhilarating live acts.
Rachael Fahim
If you’re a country fan and heading to the Saturday session (12-4pm) make sure to check out Rachael Fahim. One of Australia’s most prominent female voices in modern country-pop, with a career that reflects both authenticity and undeniable star power. With over 17 million streams to her name, she stands as one of the most-streamed Australian female country artists, bringing heartfelt storytelling and pop sensibility to a new generation of fans.
After winning the prestigious Toyota Star Maker Award at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2017—joining the ranks of past winners like Keith Urban and Troy Cassar-Daley—Rachael’s trajectory has been unstoppable. She has earned five #1 singles on Australian Country Radio and has become a mainstay on both traditional and digital country platforms.
Emma Pask & Band
For the Jazz connoisseur, you’re in for a treat at the Sunday afternoon session (5:30pm – 9:30pm). Award-winning vocalist Emma Pask, who has firmly established herself as one of Australia’s favourite voices in Jazz, will be performing. Her effortless, honest stage presence, combined with her powerful vocal ability, leaves audiences spellbound and inspired whenever she takes to the stage. While Emma’s voice and style are unique and individually her own, her performances are reminiscent of the classic era of jazz, when swing was top of the charts.
Discover Masterclasses
If you’re looking to learn more, Horizontal Festival’s Masterclasses are where things get seriously delicious. At the festival, you’ll get up close and personal with some of the country’s most exciting chefs and beverage experts. Check out what is expect:
Mark Best – Leading the program is Mark Best, one of Australia’s most respected chefs, authors, and food ambassadors. A pioneer of contemporary Australian cuisine, Mark’s newest venture, Infinity by Mark Best, offers a world-class dining experience celebrating provenance, storytelling, and an all-Australian wine list. His Horizontal Festival masterclasses will reflect this ethos, inviting audiences into his creative process and passion for local product.
Eilish Maloney, whose career has taken her from Michelin-starred kitchens in London to innovative regional projects championing seasonal produce. At the festival, Eilish will bring her unique style and storytelling to the stage, highlighting local “hero” producers and the value of provenance in everyday cooking.
Simon Evans –Bangalay Dining is celebrated for his inventive dishes and strong commitment to locally foraged flavours. His masterclass sessions will showcase the creativity and flair that have made him an award-winning leader in the South Coast dining scene, offering audiences a chance to taste his signature approach to Australian cuisine.
Mindy Woods – Rounding out the culinary program is award winning chef, proud Bundjalung woman, and recipient of the 2025 Champions of Change Award at The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Mindy Woods. Known for her work at Karkalla and Karkalla On Country. Her sessions will offer an immersive experience of Australia’s oldest living food traditions, blending Indigenous culture with contemporary dining.
Wine & Cocktail Masterclasses –Complimenting the chef lineup, wine and spirits expert Sarah McDougall will lead two engaging beverage-focused masterclasses across each festival session.
With limited spots, these intimate sessions are as much about the stories as they are about the tastings – meaning you’ll walk away with more than just a happy palate.
Add in the fact that it’s set against the picturesque backdrop of Centennial Vineyards in the Southern Highlands. Likewise, it is less than two hours from Sydney. Parking and buses are also available to book – so you can leave the car keys at home and focus on the fun!
