Shadowfax Winery is putting a weekly soundtrack to the vines. From 26 June, every Friday night brings live music and dinner to this Werribee South estate, with the restaurant open from 5:45pm to 9pm right through to 18 December 2026.
For western Melbourne residents, it is a reliable weeknight option that pairs handcrafted wine with local-produce-driven food. For visitors, it is a chance to turn a day at Werribee Open Range Zoo or a wander through the Victoria State Rose Garden into a full evening out, with the winery sitting a short walk from both.
Shadowfax has been turning grapes grown on its Werribee Park site into wine since the turn of the century, producing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Shiraz alongside limited single-vineyard releases. The restaurant already operates Wednesday through Sunday, but the Friday night live music series is a deliberate move to stretch the weekend feeling earlier.
The menu leans into comfort with a sense of occasion. Wood-fired pizzas, house-made gnocchi, slow-cooked lamb and a tiramisu that regulars treat as non-negotiable appear on tables in a dining room that opens onto the vineyard. TripAdvisor reviews repeatedly flag friendly service and an atmosphere that manages to be both polished and relaxed.
What makes this different from an inner-city wine bar is the setting. Once dinner finishes, you can walk through the heritage grounds of Werribee Park, past the mansion, or spend the last hour of daylight in the rose garden before heading home. It is a winery experience that comes with a precinct attached.
If you are heading out on a Friday with a group that includes children, the venue is family friendly, with high chairs and plenty of lawn to run around before the music starts. Booking is not a suggestion – it is the difference between a table and a long wait. Fridays at Shadowfax fill up, especially once spring weather hits.
Do not assume you can rock up at 7pm and slide into a seat. Sessions are timed from 5:45pm to 9pm, and the kitchen works to that window. The venue explicitly supports diners with allergies and intolerances, and wheelchair access is provided throughout, but the time to mention those needs is when you book, not when you arrive.
Driving is the most straightforward way to get there. The winery has its own car park, including limited accessible bays. If you are catching public transport, take the train to Werribee station and then Bus 439 toward Werribee South. A free visitor shuttle sometimes loops through the precinct on select days, so check updates before you go. The ongoing K Road upgrade works may add minutes to the trip, so allow a little extra time if you are on a dinner schedule.
An afternoon at Werribee Open Range Zoo followed by a pizza and a glass of Shiraz is the obvious play. But the winery also sits close enough to Wyndham Harbour and Elements Coastal Park to make a full day of it if you want to stretch the outing further.
The series runs for 26 Fridays, giving plenty of chances to catch a session. But the first few weeks, when the weather is still crisp and the fireplace inside feels like part of the experience, have a particular pull. After 18 December, the music stops for the year. Until then, Friday nights in Werribee South now have a setlist.
Quick Facts
Shadowfax Wines
Boutique winery established in 1999/2000 in Werribee Park, producing handcrafted wines from Macedon Ranges and Werribee vineyards including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Shiraz. Operates a restaurant and cellar door with regular live music events.