Chris, Helene and baby Cloe Deliat, of France, were among many thousands of visitors who endorsed the South Coast wine industry and produce from the region on the weekend.
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Every year the word has spread more in Sydney, Canberra and beyond that there is a thriving wine region emerging in the Shoalhaven and Kiama area that is as good as anything in Australia.
And now locals too are starting to discover more of what is in their own backyard.
Mr and Mrs Deliat and baby Cloe, seven months, spent the weekend at Gerroa.
"It is really good wine," Mr Deliat said.
"I really like it."
The weekend had something for everyone of any age, including Mia Vexler, of Sydney, who made a new friend in Carla the dog, who kept warm by the fire and enjoyed many pats at The Silos Estate.
Her mother, Liz Vexler, said the family visited Kangaroo Valley every Queen's Birthday long weekend and had visited wineries there last year as well.
Zoe and Ben Dickinson, of Sydney, heard about the festival while visiting Mollymook and started the wine exploration at Cupitt's Winery.
They visited Two Figs and Coolangatta Estate on the way back up the coast.
Michelle Arnold, Melissa Gamble, Alex Kilby and Arianne Reisner, of Sydney, were staying at a holiday house at Jaspers Brush and visited The Silos Estate, Cambewarra Estate, Two Figs Winery, Mountain Ridge Winery and Coolangatta Estate on Saturday.
They said their first experience of the winter wine festival on the South Coast was like finding an undiscovered secret.
They particularly enjoyed the views from each vineyard.
Steve and Sandra Mitchell, of Bomaderry, and their daughter Kelly Mitchell enjoyed all three days of the festival and encourage more locals to do the same, because it was something worth celebrating as such a great drawcard for the region. "We visited six wineries and just took our time," Mrs Mitchell said.
Mr Mitchell said, even at its busiest on Saturday, no-one turned back because everyone was in such great spirits and totally enjoying the atmosphere.
They said Two Figs Winery was just going off with jazz band Hot Potato.
Jessy Shelley and Glen Brewin, of Kiama, really enjoyed Coolangatta Estate during their first festival.
"We are just exploring and discovering the wineries on the South Coast," Ms Shelley said.
"They are good."
Bec Toole, Megan Lennard and Noeletta Toole, of Shellharbour, visited six vineyards in one day and said their last stop at Roselea Vineyards was their favourite.
Feeding the patient
The generosity of Lube Markovski, of Grill'd, in the new GPT shopping centre on the western side of Keira Street, has not only started tongues wagging but salivating during the last fortnight.
While recently visiting brain cancer patient Graham Wilson in hospital, with Angela Juskiw and Dragana Uzelac of Hairhouse Warehouse, Mr Markovski heard how the local music and entertainment legend had no appetite. Worried about his friend, the Grill'd franchisee said "let me deliver a healthy burger to you tomorrow".
The next day Mr Wilson ate a whole chicken burger and sweet potato fries and enjoyed it so much he has been asking for them almost every day since.
Not only that, but the smell has had everyone talking about his new diet and family members and friends of other patients have been calling into the Wollongong restaurant prior to their hospital visits to follow his lead.
Mr Markovski said if he could help Mr Wilson get better and put on weight he would keep delivering him a hamburger whenever he felt like it, because everyone in Wollongong wanted to help him win his battle with brain cancer and would do everything they could, no matter what it was.
Prizes wanted
Meanwhile, Andrew Harrison at the Lagoon Seafood Restaurant on George Hanley Dr, North Wollongong, said the fundraiser being held for Graham Wilson was now a total sell-out with more than 560 tickets booked.
The call is now going out for more silent auction items and prizes.
Michael Bassingthwaighte, of Peoplecare, was the first businessperson to buy tickets to the July 21 event and Natalija Vocanec, of Little Leonardo's Art Studio, the first to donate a major auction prize.
Giving proudly
The first Ride With Pride for the Leukaemia Foundation handed over close to $20,000 for the work of helping families affected by blood related cancers.
Event organisers Tony Hart and De'hanne Keir said the total amount raised was "simply staggering".
Mr Hart said it was amazing the way they selflessly gave to such a worthy cause.
Ride With Pride involves horse riders from all around the state but is supported by the Albion Park trail riders club, who volunteer to help the Leukaemia Foundation raise funds.
The charity horse ride on a beef and cattle property near Gundagai was a week-long event in late March.
Mr Hart and co-organiser Ms Keir said they chose the Leukaemia Foundation after seeing the great work Nina Field and her team did.
THE DIARY
June 11 - Launch of the Highlights for Hope mental health campaign.
- Destination Southern Highlands is hosting an After Hours networking event with an update on all things happening in tourism in the region, at Fountaindale Grand Manor.
June 12 - Lagoon Seafood Restaurant is delivering a gastronomic journey called Around the World in one Degustation Dinner.
Illawarra Women In Business (IWIB) networking lunch with guest speaker Illawarra ITeC business development manager Virginia Wren at Centro CBD.
June 13 - Community Cancer Link is hosting a Q&A lunch with 2013 Australian of the Year Ita Buttrose at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach from 12 noon.
The event includes an auction and proceeds will go to Wollongong Hospital.
Further information from Chris Munro on 0487 449 431.
June 14 - Illawarra Light Railway Museum Society at Albion Park celebrates the 100th birthday of the former New South Wales Government Railways Otford Signal Box now on display at the museum.
June 16 - Northern Illawarra Chamber of Commerce draws the winner of its May Money Madness promotion at its general meeting at Centennial Hotel, Helensburgh.
July 11 - Lagoon Experimental Kitchen @ Seacliff. Bookings on 4228 5410.
