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Some things in this world were just made to go together. Cheese and wine. Pinot and pâté. Melbourne and food festivals. Thankfully, one of Australia's most indulgent events is uniting all of the above – when Mould x Pinot Palooza returns this July.
From Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 5, the touring food and wine festival will take over the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, bringing together more than 50 artisan cheesemakers and 50 pinot noir producers from Australia, New Zealand and beyond for a weekend dedicated to eating, drinking and discovering your next favourite drop.
The festival is the marriage of two much-loved events – Mould, Australia's biggest cheese festival, and Pinot Palooza, the long-running celebration of everyone's favourite light-bodied red. Together, they offer unlimited tastings, the chance to chat directly with producers and winemakers, and a whole heap of opportunities to stock up on gourmet goodies to take home.
Expect everything from creamy fresh cheeses and oozy washed-rinds to bold aged varieties, paired with pinot noirs showcasing just how versatile the grape can be across different regions and winemaking styles. Beyond the tastings, there'll also be beer, cocktails and spirits on offer, plus gourmet food producers selling pantry staples, grazing-board essentials and ready-to-eat bites to keep you fuelled between pours.
Among the returning favourites are Victorian institution Milawa Cheese, flavour-packed seasoning specialists Rub-a-Dub, low-intervention winemakers Ohkela Wine and sustainable Adelaide Hills producer Vinteloper, with plenty more to join the fun.
This year's Melbourne event also comes with a venue change, moving to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre for a more central location. The 2026 tour is also introducing Sunday sessions in every city, giving Melburnians one more excuse to spend the weekend grazing their way through hundreds of samples.
Tickets cost $59 plus booking fee and include entry, unlimited cheese and pinot tastings, a stemless wine glass, a custom wine tote and a cooler bag to keep your cheese purchases in top condition on the trip home. Session numbers are limited, so it's worth booking ahead if you're planning to gather your fellow enthusiasts.
You can learn more and book over here.
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