The Drop: Full Moon Wine Festival by Luna Wine Store

This month, The Drop takes us deep into the heart of the Northern Rivers countryside, where we recently visited the Full Moon Wine Festival, an annual tasting celebration hosted by Luna Wine Store. A wine festival where wine, community and storytelling collide in the most unexpected and joyful ways.

Set against the backdrop of the iconic Eltham Hotel, over 300 guests gathered for an evening that felt more like a reunion than a retail event. Winemakers poured with pride, importers shared stories from far-flung vineyards and a spirit of connection filled the air. Conversation around Chinese wines aside French naturals, local legends like BK Wines side-by-side with cult favourites from Tasmania, each bottle carrying not just flavour, but feeling.

Luna has always championed wines with a point of view and Full Moon Wine Festival amplifies that mission. It’s about celebrating people over prestige, process over perfection and conversation over competition.

With live music, shared laughter and more than a few dance moves, the wine festival is proof that the future of wine in Australia is anything but stuffy. It’s local, it’s lively and it’s built on care. For land, for people and for honest expression in every pour.

Wine List

1. Silver Heights the Summit Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

WHY WE LOVE THIS WINE

The Summit isn’t just a wine. It’s a story in a glass. Made by Emma Gao, one of China’s most respected winemakers, this wine represents the pinnacle of Chinese fine winemaking. Sourced entirely from biodynamically farmed estate fruit and crafted with indigenous yeasts, minimal intervention and traditional Bordeaux techniques, it exemplifies Silver Heights’ deep commitment to craftsmanship, nature and heritage.

TASTING NOTES

Cocoa, Toasted Wood, Black Fruit, Shiso Leaf & Nutmeg

Pair with

Duck, ribs, mushroom risotto or grilled eggplant.

TASTING NOTES

Zesty citrus, Clean crisp, Herb undertones

Pair with

Light & fresh foods such as Vietnamese rice paper rolls, grilled prawns, goats cheese or fish tacos.

2. Das Juice White Blend 2023

WHY WE LOVE THIS WINE

This wine is everything you want in a modern Australian white. Fresh, vibrant and effortlessly fun, yet made with serious care. A natural twist on the classic Sauvignon Blanc–Semillon blend, it gets extra lift and zing from Riesling, delivering a wickedly refreshing punch of citrus and acidity. Handpicked, wild fermented and left on lees for six months, it’s got just enough texture to keep things interesting, without ever losing its crisp edge.

3. BK Wines Skin n Bones Pinot Nior 2023

WHY WE LOVE THIS WINE

This wine is generous, bold and expressive. With four Pinot clones and 30 days on skins, Skin-n-Bones shows impressive depth and character for a Pinot Noir, while still staying true to its cool-climate roots. There’s a wild, moody edge to it and the herbal lift of thyme and mint adds nuance to its rich, dark fruit core. While it’s absolutely delicious now, it’s clear this wine is only going to get better with time. A must for both drinking today and cellaring for tomorrow.

TASTING NOTES

Dark Cherry, Plum, Thyme & Mint

Pair with

Duck breast, mushroom risotto, grilled lamb or beetroot and goats cheese salad.

TASTING NOTES

Citrus Peel, Stone Fruit, Spice

Pair with

Crispy pork belly, grilled octopus, vegetable tempura or goats cheese.

4. 2023 Gut Oggau Theodora

WHY WE LOVE THIS WINE

Theodora isn’t just another natural white, she’s a force. She’s confident, unapologetic and full of character, standing tall without needing any additions or corrections. In a world of safe choices, she’s the wine that throws open the windows and lets the fresh air in. If you’re looking for a bottle that surprises, delights and maybe even challenges you a bit, Theodora is the one.

5. Podere Sottoilnoce Grasparosa 2023

WHY WE LOVE THIS WINE

This isn’t just a wine, it’s a living expression of land, grape and time. Free from synthetic interference, natural wine lets the vineyard speak for itself. Every bottle is a little different, a little wild and completely authentic. It evolves in the glass and in the bottle, offering a sensory journey that changes with every sip.

TASTING NOTES

Red Berries, Orchard Fruits, Citrus, Savoury Undertones

Pair with

Charcuterie & cheese, grilled vegetables, wood-fired pizza, oysters or natural seafood.

Inside TH7 – A Wellness Spaces Blending Science and Self-Care

In a world overflowing with wellness trends, retreats and conflicting advice, TH7 is quietly and confidently changing the game.

The Joy of Letting Things Bloom with Buds on B

Start your day with Mia from Buds on B, a Sunshine Coast florist who handpicks seasonal blooms to curate fresh floral designs.

ELE. Activewear Debuts with a Morning of Mindful Movement at Fellow Studios

ELE. Activewear unveils its debut collection with a morning of mindful movement at Fellow Studios, blending fashion and wellness in a stylish launch event.

Campfires, Country Tunes & Dusty Roads – The Queensland Music Trail Adventure

Explore the 2025 Outback Trail by Queensland Music Trails, a unique self-drive music adventure through Western Queensland. See live gigs, bush poetry and local culture come together.

Emma Martin’s European Travel and The Art of Doing Less

Herbelle Skincare is Quietly Revolutionising Skin Health Beneath the Surface

Herbelle Skincare is leading a quiet revolution on clean beauty and the microbiome health, born on the Sunshine Coast.

Bar Heather — A Unique Blend of Natural Wines and Culinary Excellence

Not just a place to grab a drink, Bar Heather is considered a destination where wine lovers and food enthusiasts are immersed in this highly seasoned experience. The story behind Bar Heather blends together a passion for natural and organic viticulture with innovative cuisine, in a notable atmosphere.

The Drop: Full Moon Wine Festival by Luna Wine Store

Wine List