Don't let news of a tainted 2020 vintage put you off celebrating Canberra Wine Week. The district's wine makers are keen to remind us there is plenty of wine around. But the program for the week, which runs from March 21-29, shows our local wineries have much more to offer than a tipple at the cellar door.

There's yoga, pilates, art classes, a diverse music program, behind the scenes tours and more. But at the heart of it all is wine. There are several dinners throughout the week where the wineries have paired up with some of Canberra's top restaurants to showcase the range of wine being produced around Canberra.

What our winemakers need now is our support so make sure you get to a few events. And yes, there will be wine available wherever you go.

One of the highlights of the week where six of the region's best wine makers join you for dinner at The Boathouse. Each winemaker will talk about their wine and how it reveals the terroir of our ancient soils, the romance behind the wine, and a few not so glamorous stories on how that red ends up in your glass. This year's keynote speaker is Tim Kirk from Clonakilla. Other wineries include Capital Wines, Lerida Estate, Gallagher Wines, Contentious Character and Sapling Yard. Boathouse chef John Leverink and his team will present five courses starting with canapes on the deck and a glass of Gallagher Wines' award-winning sparkling Blanc de Blanc.

Gundog Estate Wines and Raku have joined together to produce an extraordinary food and wine journey. Join a small group of fellow food and wine lovers to explore the most exciting and unexpected taste combinations our wine makers and chefs can create. There'll be 10 wines matched with six courses over an unforgettable night. One night is already sold out.

Join winemakers Carla Rodeghiero and Malcolm Burdett at The Italian Place in Braddon for a celebration of all things Italian. The Italian Place's Tony Lo Terzo and Rodeghiero have devised a menu that matches Sapling Yard wines to Italian dishes that will amaze you. Start with Four Pinots matched to bruschetta with stracciatella, then Bungendore Riesling with swordfish crudo, pinot noir matched to rabbit, mushroom and tallegio lasagne, shiraz viognier and The Curmudgeon matched to perfectly cooked beef cheeks and a rose with a cheese platter to finish.

Join Lerida Estate and Lake George Winery at this dinner and learn more about the vineyards situated on the eastern edge of the region, at the foot of the Cullerin Range. They grow a few varieties less often seen ... try tempranillo and viognier and compare chardonnay and pinot noirs from both producers side by side. In the private dining room at Monster, you'll be treated to five courses and seven wines.

Set among Four Winds Vineyard's autumn vines, this long-table dinner will showcase the culinary talents of QT Canberra's Capitol Bar and Grill and Four Winds wines. Executive chef Josh Smith-Thirkell will prepare an indulgent spread in the vineyard. Dishes will be built to share and expertly paired with Four Winds' most delectable drops from the cellar door. In a celebration of the senses, expect exquisite seafood, Capitol's famous premium cuts grilled on wood fire, fresh sides and of course, unforgettable Italian inspired desserts. A few things on the menu include mimosa rock oyster with finger lime; stracciatella with zucchini, pistachio, marjoram and pumpkin seed oil; lamb rump with anchovies, olive, muscatels, tomato and basil; and apple pie and burrata ice cream.

Did you know that the shape and size of your glass will affect the aroma, flavour and overall profile of wine? A Riedel Sensory Workshop is an entertaining and educational opportunity to explore how the right glassware can enhance your wine drinking experience. The workshop demonstrates the important role a wine glass plays in wine enjoyment. This fascinating class incorporates decades of research and development in grape varietal specific glassware and will give you a glimpse into Riedel's 260-year history of design and invention. Each ticket includes: a guided sensory workshop hosted by Riedel representative Adam Hunter; a set of four beautiful Extreme series glasses, valued at $120 to take home; and tastings of premium wines from Shaw Wines, McKellar Ridge Wines and Collector Wines.

March 27, 6.30pm, $79pp.

Contentious Character winery will launch three new wines during the Comedy Festival: I Could Murder a Merlot, the Crisp in your Cakehole Riesling and the 50 Shades of Grape pinot gris. There will be tastings at the Canberra Theatre during the festival or head out to the winery in Wamboin on March 28 for Contentious Cabaret, a moving feast of a night with a burlesque dancer, a sexy circus performer; a contortionist and fire dancer; a dark and mysterious contact juggler; and a fiery pole dancer. And a three-course, wine-paired dinner.

The National Gallery of Australia will open the Sculpture Gardens for a garden party featuring some of the region's top wineries. Collector, Mada, Mount Majura Vineyard, Nick O'Leary and Whitton Farm will have wines for tasting, with canapes to accompany. This is a great opportunity to try some of Canberra's best wines, with innovative blends, alternative varieties, award winners, and of the course regional classics riesling and shiraz. Tickets are $55pp which includes tastings and canapes with wines also available by the glass on the night.

Haven't painted since school? Don't worry. Head out to Lake George Winery for a fun afternoon of painting and sipping wine. Over two to three hours, Paint Pinot will guide you in steps to create your masterpiece. Everything is supplied and you get to take home your painting. There will be a complimentary glass from the bar on arrival.

A great opportunity to check out the new event space at Tallagandra Hill Winery with an evening of music from ARIA award winners Beautifully Mad. Tony King and Nina Vox take you on a breathtaking ride that recalls the beauty of James Taylor, some honey from Melody Gardot, a lyrical spice of Cohen washed down with some Waits-like humour. Highly recommended you take your dancing shoes. There will be a three-course long-table shared dinner with wines available to purchase on the night. There's also the option of catching a bus out to the winery.

For millennia, people have started the wine making process by dancing bare-foot on grapes to release their juice, flavor, acids and tannins. This is your chance to get down and dirty with some grapes. Head out to Murrumbateman Winery to enjoy the sensation of getting into a half barrel and letting the grapes ooze between your toes. Stay on at cellar door for live music, wine tasting, and delicious tasting plates.

Enjoy a pilates class from Lucas Studios followed by a wine tasting of Enotria Wines. With three classes available there's no better way to get fit, enjoy the view and quaff fine wine.

Cathy Bryson from Yoga with Cathy has collaborated with The House of Bubbles for a playful yoga class. Bryson has been practicing yoga for more than 15 years and completed her yoga teacher training in India three years ago. After stretching under the shade in the lovely Bowen Park looking out on the lake, stay on at The House of Bubbles pop up bar where we will be featuring local bubbles. Ticket includes a glass of local bubbles (or beer), mats are provided, and they suggest wearing comfortable clothing for the best experience.

Grab some friends and head out to Lerida Estate for some grape stomping fun. Channel your inner winemaker and participate in the age-old method of foot pressing grapes. Meet Lerida's wine-making team and have fun stomping some fruit and learning about the wine making process. A fun family friendly event.

Take the kids out to Yarrh Wines and make a scarecrow. All materials and guidance are provided and you can take it home! No bookings required. $10 per scarecrow. And stay for lunch on the lawn, with Greek spit roast lamb with chickpea aioli, salad and pita. Vegetarian and gluten free options available. $20, including a glass of wine.

Want to learn a little more about the stuff you're drinking? Join in this introductory class and learn about what makes up a wine by tasting a hand-picked selection of premium Canberra district wines, enjoying matched food along the way. Hosted by Canberra wine local Emma Shaw, you'll get an introduction to just why our region's wines are so good, all in the relaxed atmosphere of The Canberra Wine House. Small nibbles are provided - please advise of any dietary requirements when booking. All attendees must be over the age of 18.

Join Vines and Wines for a day long tour of wine tasting and plenty of delicious food. You'll visit four wineries - McKellar Ridge, Eden Road and Murrumbateman Winery, finishing with lunch at Four Winds Vineyard, with their delicious pizza. Along the way you'll get a great behind the scenes tour, perhaps learn a little about the process and meet other like minded people. Only a few places left.

While Mt Majura may not be celebrating all things harvest this vintage there is still plenty to enjoy and celebrate. On March 28, the cellar door comes alive with wine, local food and live music. It will be a great day out for the whole family. Local bush band Paverty will be livening up the afternoon from 1-4pm. There will be vineyard tours throughout the day where you can take a guided walk through the vineyard looking at the tempranillo blocks, Rock Block, Dry Spur and Little Dam. Taste the wines and see the site that brings them to life. There will also be fresh grape juice and local produce platters.

facebook.com/events

We recently discovered the latest rose from Norton Road and it's a good one. Karen and Simon from Norton are launching a distinctive rebrand with a fun evening of tastings and food. Biggies BBQ will supply the food, matched with the wines, the rose will be served alongside proscuitto and melon, the pinot noir with smoked duck with beetroot relish among others.

Book a picnic hamper and then make your way into Four Winds vineyard to enjoy a picnic among the vines. Your picnic hamper can cater for two or up to 10 people.

The hamper will include dips, cheese, semi-dried tomatoes and artichokes, salami, ham, prosciutto, dolmades, fresh bread and biscuits. Every two hamper tickets includes a bottle of wine to share.

March 28, from 10am. From $55pp.