Locals, South Aussies, and interstate travellers poured into Coonawarra during the Labour Day long weekend, with wineries reporting booked-out accommodation and high visitation.

This year marks the 11th time Raidis Estate has welcomed travellers as part of Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations, the Limestone Coast’s largest wine-based festival, which kicked off over the weekend.

But this year’s October-long festivities opened with a bang for the winery.

Raidis Estate co-owner Emma Raidis told The SE Voice she believed the weekend had been the best on record for the winery, hosting between 150 to 200 people on Saturday alone.

“It’s great to showcase the region,” Ms Raidis said.

“It’s obviously a bit more localised this year … although we did have a couple (of patrons) from Queensland over the weekend, so there are a few interstate travellers starting to trickle back through.

“We’ve had pretty much record visitation since we re-opened in June. The South Australian community has been super supportive.”

Bellwether Wines founder and winemaker Sue Bell said the winery’s camping and glamping accommodations had been fully booked over the weekend.

“With us missing our crucially important Victorian customers, we are so grateful for all of the Adelaidians that are coming down to the Coonawarra for their first ever trip,” Ms Bell said.

Ms Bell, who has co-hosted a pop-up wine bar at the Naracoorte Caves, said Bellwether had also accommodated interstate travellers off the back of South Australia’s easing of coronavirus quarantine restrictions.

“We’ve had a few people from Queensland and our first guests from New South Wales,” she said.

Bellwether Wines’ Argentine Asado Grill event will be held this Saturday as part of a wine blending-focussed catalogue of events, including Patrick of Coonawarra’s Grande Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon blending master- class and Raidis Estate’s Back Vintage Bar.

Bookings are essential, with the Argentine Asado Grill event almost sold out.

This weekend is also set to showcase recurring events like DiGiorgio Family Wines’ tour and private tasting on Friday, Jack Estates’ cheese and wine pairing and Patrick of Coonawarra’s chocolate and wine pairing on Saturday and Sunday.

Additionally, DiGiorgio, Rymill, and Hollick will serve variations of cabernet pies to be enjoyed on their grounds each weekend.

It comes after the first of Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations’ 60 events officially opened on Friday at the Penola Golf Course, with as many as 104 golfers turning out to open the festival.

Coonawarra Vignerons acting executive officer Heidi Eldridge, who also works as the events and marketing coordinator of the festival, told The SE Voice it had been a great start to festivities.

“The festival month couldn’t have started any better with sensational spring weather leading into this first weekend of celebrations,” Ms Eldridge said.

“Our wineries are going to great lengths to provide a range of activities for young and old to enjoy.”