Known for its expertise in modern Chinese cuisine, the Lotus Dining Group has now released its very own gin. Bursting with mandarin flavour, the drink pairs best with Chinese flavours – namely soup dumplings and sticky stir-fries. The new gin, made in collaboration with Big River Distillery Co., has been created to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Lotus’ first venue. Atop mandarin, flavours include the five spices of Chinese cuisine – szechuan pepper, star anise, fennel, cinnamon and clove – to perfectly round out the blend. Mandarin Gin will be poured exclusively at all seven Lotus Dining Group venues across Sydney. Customers can also order Lotus Dining Group’s Mandarin Gin for $88 per bottle at lotusdininggroup.com/lotus-x-big-river-mandarin-gin.

The fan favourite spring wine festival returns to the Yarra this Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9. Get ready to enjoy the warmer weather with your whole crew, including your fur babies (with most venues being dog-friendly). A festive selection of meals (all under $20) will be available at each winery, menu highlights include homemade apple pies, cheese platters, classic Italian fare and slow-cooked brisket. Tickets are available now at shedfest.com.au .

With its multi-level restoration now officially complete, it’s time to raise the roof at The Strand Hotel. Why not celebrate its 99 iconic years by heading up to the new rooftop bar? Ksubi’s George Gorrow took the lead in the restoration as Creative Director, drawing on French fashion, music and entertainment references to curate the lush hotel and dining experience. Check into one of The Strand’s 17 boutique rooms, now dripping with crisp white linens and rattan bedheads, and all accented with deep green finishings and contrasting dark floorboards. Head to strandhotel.com.au to book now.

Western Sydney’s flagship food event, Parramatta Lanes, is back from next Wednesday, October 12 to Saturday, October 15 – every night from 5pm-10pm. After two COVID-impacted years, festival-goers are encouraged to celebrate thrice as much. Foodies can feast on cultural cuisines from the Middle East, Korea, Thailand, India, Italy, China and the Philippines – just to name a few. Headliners include KOI Dessert Bar, Tita’s Cakes, Butter Parramatta, and Stroop Bros. For more information, head to atparramatta.com/lanes

The Aussie distillery welcomes the tenth drop in its Trials & Exceptions series. Their Fancy Molasses Rum 2019 was crafted with sustainably sourced molasses, oozing notes of gingerbread, sultana, apricot ham and creme anglaise. This release was created via an exploration of sugarcane; one of Australia’s most abundant crops, with a strong NSW heritage. The Fancy Molasses Rum 2019 is available for $149.95 at archierose.com.au.

Test your senses at Hardys Tintara – one of many wineries encouraging their customers to ‘go in blind’. Their Wine Tasting in the Dark: Sensory Experience takes guests into Hardys’ private cellars, inviting them to tune into their senses and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of wine – all blindfolded, for maximum effect. By removing the sense of sight, guests are able to better focus on the incredible and complex Hardys wine flavours. Book a group tour now at hardyswines.com.

Landing next Friday, October 14 and continuing to Sunday, October 16, CheeseFest is set to take Rymill Park Murlawirrapurka by storm. With a melting pot of cheesemakers, food, drinks, and dancing, this year’s CheeseFest is packed with new vendors, artisans, and unexpected surprises. Long time event ambassador Matt Preston is bringing BFF Gary Mehigan along to shine a light on SA food and culture with a range of various demonstrations, each heroing local produce. For more info and tickets, head to cheesefest.com.au.

Get ready Sydney, it’s time to glisten! Set in celebration central (Darlinghurst, Oxford Street), the Sydney Shimmer Festival is a four-day party. The free event will run from Thursday, October 13 to Sunday, October 16, and will feature performances, food and drink, live entertainment, and a bunch of kid-friendly activities and workshops. Event highlights include performances from drag superstar Jimi The Kween, as well as rising star Clarissa Mei, an up-and-coming Filipina-Australian singer from Western Sydney. Check out the full program and more at sydneyshimmerfestival.com.au.