In the Northern Rivers countryside, wine lovers gathered under the promise of good food, live music and something more than simply tasting.
Full Moon Wine Festival is the annual wine-tasting event hosted by Luna Wine Store at the Eltham Hotel and has quickly become a symbol of what modern wine culture in Australia wants to be. One that is grounded, story-driven and joyful.
From the 300+ attendees setting up in the middle of the Eltham to the smiling faces or winemakers pouring their hearts out, the festival does more than sell wine. It celebrates it.
Importers such as Periphery Wine Imports bring Chinese wine into dialogue with French natural wine from Living Wines in Tasmania. Local standouts such as Lo-Fi Wines and BK Wines mingle with voices from overseas. It is an evening that feels like a story rather than a transaction. People don’t come to judge scores or sip prestige, they come to talk to the winemakers, to taste something new and to see real quality wines. Against the backdrop of mass-market names, Full Moon Wine Festival is staking its claim that quality, care and connection matter to the drinker.
Personality in Every Pour
One of our more imaginative elements involved asking the winemakers and importers what their wine would be like if it were a person at a party, or a member of a band. These metaphors cut through the technical descriptors and deliver something more immediate. Hamish Williams of Periphery Wine Imports describes their wines as guitars. Loud, bold and not always centre stage, while Louisa Mckay from Byroncello explains the drop to be “the life of the party, mixing the drinks, opening the door, leading and greeting everybody.”
Why Full Moon Wine Festival Matters – Beyond the Bottle
It’s not just about the tasting, the wine festival is about connection to place, producer and to the community. The festival sold out because people want more than passive wine consumption. They want to be part of something and to know who made the wine, where it comes from and what its values are.
There’s also a playful tension in what the event offers. Current trends like natural wines, organic grapes, importers who cross oceans in search of flavour, all mixed with good music, local producers and a relaxed environment where people are invited to dance as much as sip.
For those who’ve yet to attend, Full Moon Wine festival offers more than a tasting, it also offers a night of discovery. And for those who come every year, it seems to grow in heart even if not in size. With community support, passionate winemakers and an audience eager for meaning, Full Moon Wine Festival by Luna Wine Store is becoming a touchstone moment, a reminder that wine isn’t just about glass and grape, but about gathering, culture and shared delight.
See our pick of wines showcased at Luna Wine store’s Full Moon Wine Festival on this month’s edition of The Drop.
About Luna Wine Store –
Luna Wine Store curates a continually evolving selection of wines from small, independent winemakers across Australia and around the world. With a focus on producers who challenge convention and celebrate terroir, Luna brings together rare delights, hidden treasures and expressive bottles suited to both everyday enjoyment and the most special occasions.
Driven by a passion for provenance, Luna champions wines made without chemicals, believing that healthy soil grows the best possible fruit. Their philosophy is simple: great wine is made in the vineyard. While they honour diverse winemaking traditions, both old and new and prioritise minimal intervention in the cellar, trusting the vineyard to do the talking.
Because many of the wines they work with are limited and ephemeral, there’s always something new to discover in store.
