Pialligo Estate, Capital Brewing Co, Contentious Character winery, Underground Spirits and Schmicnics - schmick picnics - are featured at Floriade for the first time, offering visitors some of the best regionally-sourced food and locally-made beverages.

As crowds flocked in on Saturday, the festival's opening day, Contentious Character’s Tony Mansfield said it was a privilege to showcase their Wamboin wines to a wider audience.

He said while they were becoming more well-known, there was a still a contingent of people that didn't know who they were. The winery is bringing wine tastings, albeit on a smaller scale, to Floriade offering 16 wines to try and buy.

"There is definitely a strong movement in Canberra to embrace our own, and we're being recognised outside the region as well for how good quality the region is," Mr Mansfield said.

He said it was fantastic people were realising Canberra had “something tremendous” on offer.

Underground Spirits co-founder Andrew Galbraith agreed.

“Everyone is demanding local stuff. It’s via necessity that Floriade is doing this, and it’s awesome for us. I think Canberrans will really appreciate it,” Mr Galbraith said.

Underground Spirits is offering a range of drinks including their signature “jazzed up” gin and tonic with lemon myrtle and fresh Wee Jasper-grown basil at a bar next to Stage 88.

Mr Galbraith said the company’s recent brand re-launch focused on the Canberra image, “that Canberra pride and love”.

“I’m super excited to show the people that haven’t seen our products, people from Sydney or Melbourne that flock to Canberra for Floriade, to show what Canberra can offer. Showing them how fun we can be, and how good Canberra is as a town.”

On the food side of things, Schmicnics is delivering something a little bit different to the festival. Co-founder James Souter said they’re offering the chance for visitors to find their own little spot amongst the flowers to dine on ready-made, out-of-the-ordinary cuisine.

Schmicnics specially-themed Floriade picnic hamper includes char sui pork and cucumber garlic rolls and the option to add salted caramel cookie sandwiches.

“I think it’s the perfect match for Floriade, there's so many beautiful gardens and landscapes and areas to enjoy and this enables you to find your own little spot in the park and sit down and enjoy a beautiful meal."

"It is such an iconic event on the Canberra calendar, we have a huge range of wonderful businesses working in Canberra that can offer great food and services and it's nice to see that local angle supported. We're really excited to be part it."