The Adelaide Hills’ annual Winter Reds festival will return on the last weekend of July with Matt Preston as its first ambassador.

Adelaide Hills Wine Region President Alex Trescowthick said: “We are genuinely delighted to have Matt Preston joining us for our Winter Reds weekend this July.

“Matt understands the nuances of high-quality wines as well as he does exquisite food. He also appreciates things which are locally grown and made. What we love most about Matt is that when he enjoys something, he expresses it heartily and with warmth — which is exactly what Winter Reds is all about.

“The Winter Reds festival is an opportunity to get together with friends, rug up, and explore our winter wonderland, where our cool-climate red wines shine. From Pinot Noir to Shiraz, Gamay, Tempranillo, Nebbiolo, and beyond, there’s so much to discover in the Adelaide Hills Wine Region.”

Preston will join the VIP event on the Friday night and be out and about the Adelaide Hills over the weekend. He will also host a special lunch at LOT100 where a selection of red wines will be enjoyed and discussed with the Hill’s renowned local wine-writer, Tony Love.

Preston said: “South Australia does festivals, and wine, like no other state. And that’s why I am excited to be the Adelaide Hills Winter Reds ambassador for 2025. I love a red wine from cool-climate. They are special because they are more elegant, have great varietal expression, and last in the cellar longer; that is, if you can don’t drink them all first.

“If I were an Adelaide Hills red wine, I’d like to think that I was an estate-grown single-vineyard Pinot Noir – elegant, understated, best in class, expensive. But, I am probably more like a fun loving, but equally delicious, bottle of Adelaide Hills’ Shiraz. Why? Because I am round like the best cherries and plums, and have a little spicy, fruity finish.”

The full line-up of over 50 Winter Reds events at venues and cellar doors across the Adelaide Hills is available here.