Thankfully the 2020 Fireside Festival is going ahead. Winter is my favourite season in Canberra, crisp days, cool nights, and any excuse for a fire, a comfortable chair and a glass, or two, of wine.

The Canberra region is famous for its quality cool climate wines showcasing the local terroir and innovation of our clever wine makers.

While the festival will be somewhat restrained due to COVID restrictions there are still plenty of events to highlight the great things happening in the district.

Fran Marshall from the Canberra District Wine Industry Association said the festival is all about celebrating what's warm about wine.

"The Fireside Festival is not just about wine and food," she says.

"It's about having a conversation with inspirational people by the fireside or a series of musical experiences for the ultimate winter music sesh, all while snuggled into an over-sized chair with a glass of pinot noir, ensuring that you've got the best of the cool climate wines to keep you fortified this winter."

The Canberra District covers a large geographical area made up of three distinctly different topographical areas, and despite the name all but two of the local wineries are across the border in NSW.

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The highlight of the festival will be a six-course dinner at Monster Kitchen and Bar, matched with wines from Pankhurst Wines, Murrumbateman Winery and Gundog Estate.

All events will be ticketed and adhere to COVID guidelines and numbers will depend on venues and sittings so it's best to check when booking.

If you are visiting the Canberra district you are spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation. Plan a staycation at one of the association's member hotels at QT Canberra or the Abode, Murrumbateman.

There is also the opportunity to stay on a winery at the inviting cabins at Tallagandra Hills Winery or at Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine's top cellar door accommodation at Surveyor's Hill Winery. Or even at Little George, the Lake George Winery's tiny house.

There's always the opportunity to head to Yass and stay in a bed and breakfast or at the pub, a country stay is a must throughout a week of Canberra Wine festivities.

August 15, 29, September 12: Norton Road Wines - Head out to Wamboin for a series of "Taste a Local" dinners where wines will be matched with smoked meats and seafood from Biggies BBQ. First up is Enotria Wines on August 15, then Sholto Wines on August 29 and Ironcutter Wines on September 12. $105pp includes five wines and matched pairing from Biggies.

August 27: Canberra Wines - Enjoy the finest of foods and the loveliest of wines at a six-course VIP dinner at Monster Kitchen and Bar. Wines provided by Gundog Estate, Murrumbateman Winery and Pankhurst and you'll get to meet the makers and try Canberra's premium wines alongside a menu from the Monster Kitchen. $170pp.

August 28: Canberra Wines - Wine glass education never tasted so good with sommelier Matt Dunne showcasing Plumm Glassware at Lucky's Speakeasy with winemakers, Alex McKay from Collector Wines and Jake Carter from Sholto Wines. $130pp.

August 22-23, 29-30: Murrumbateman Winery - Murrumbateman Winery has paired five of their wines with smoked and charred delicacies from the deli. The fire will be blazing and you can enjoy each item on your "Flavours Plate" with samples of wine selected by their winemaker. $20pp. Bookings are essential.

August 22: Contentious Character - With a menu drawn from a whole roasted pig, carried into the winery to be carved, the Pig and Pinot dinner is something else. Tastings of their pinot noir and pinot gris, both new and old vintages, alongside wine by the glass, craft beers and soft drinks all included for two hours of festivities. Adults $40pp. Kids $35 for margarita pizza, brownie and icecream for dessert and a soft drink of choice. From 6.30pm.

August 29: Sapling Yard - Its first premium shiraz, The Curmudgeon, will be launched at a very special VIP dinner at QT Canberra from 6.30pm. Overlooking Lake Burley Griffin and the bright lights of the Canberra City, enjoy a three-course dinner, plus canapes matched to six Sapling Yard wines. The Curmudgeon is meant to soothe the most archaic bad tempered miser, and so it does with its dark berried hue, richly spiced aromatics and red currant lusciousness on the tongue. $160pp, bookings essential.

August 29: Lake George Winery - annual bonfire night with the symbolic burning of the barrel. Adults $20pp includes wine tasting and a glass of wine to enjoy. Kids are free. A menu will be available to purchase. Bus transport available. From 4p-8pm.