Follow the wine trail

The Riverina is the biggest wine producing region of New South Wales. Most of the vineyards and cellar doors are centred around the town of Griffith, but there are more wineries to explore around the towns of Wagga Wagga, Leeton and Gundagai. A leisurely scenic drive from Griffith will lead you to the cellar doors of leading Riverina brands such as De Bortoli, Calabria Family Wines, Lillypilly Estate, Nugan Estate and McWilliam's, whose cellar door is even shaped like a wine barrel. After a few leisurely hours of wine tasting, head to Borambola Wines, near Wagga Wagga, for a tour or simply to relax in the grounds of the winery's elegant 1880s homestead.

Sip spirits and brews

If you prefer a pint to a pinot, head to Barellan, a 40-minute drive east of Griffith, to try the community-owned brews made with local barley by Barellan Beer – found on tap at the Commercial Hotel and the Barellan and District War Memorial Club. In Wagga Wagga, you can taste beers with a difference at family-owned brewpub Thirsty Crow Brewing Co – try the smooth vanilla milk stout paired with house-baked pizza, the dough of which is made using the brand's sporting ale. Corowa Distilling Co produces whiskeys and gins that win awards the world over – try the Mad Dog Morgan, named after an infamous bushranger that hid out in this part of the world. Or head to Whitton Malt House, set on an immense estate on the outskirts of Griffith near Leeton. Here, you'll be able to sample whiskey, vodka and gin; have a round of 'aqua' golf on the property's lake; try tag and release fishing; and stay the night in one of the one- or two-bedroom lakefront villas.

Forage at a farmer's market 

Start your foodie adventure at the Riverina Producers Market, held each Thursday afternoon at the Wagga Wagga Showground. Here orange juice is squeezed from locally grown navel and Valencia oranges and local farmers set up stalls to offer freshly picked produce. You'll find locally grown apples, eggs, garlic and more, as well as excellent cuts of lamb and beef that are perfect for a barbecue. You can also find a great selection of local gourmet fare at Knights Meats & Deli in Wagga Wagga, with most produce sourced from within a 160km radius of the store.

Or head straight for the farm

No visit to the Riverina is complete without meeting some of the producers at the very farms their produce is grown. Tours at Catania Fruit Salad Farm, near Griffith, start at the property's old farmhouse before moving through the vineyard and orderly groves of trees. Your experience concludes with a tasting plate of fruits, nuts, preserves and wines. (You can also stay the night in a three-bedroom cottage on the property.) Or call ahead and make an appointment to meet the growers and indulge in locally grown olives at Wollundry Grove Olives near Wagga Wagga – it's famous for its fine oils and table olives. Also in Wagga, at Bidgee Strawberries and Cream see you can meet the farmer, learn how a strawberry farm works and pick your own punnet.

Explore Griffith's Italian heritage

Some 60 per cent of Griffith's residents can claim Italian heritage – you'll spot the European nation's unmistakable influence in the wines, cheeses and olives produced in the region. Indulge in delicious modern Australian fare with an Italian twist at Limone Dining, which showcases local seasonal produce in an ever-evolving menu of fine food. Chef and owner Luke Piccolo grew up cooking with an abundant supply of fresh produce from nearby Piccolo Family Farm, a working property that provides most of the restaurant's herbs, garnishes, fruits and vegetables. You can drop by the farm for tasting experiences and learn stories of the property. Or try freshly made pasta and regional Italian fare at Zecca Handmade Italian, a casual eatery housed in a 1930s Art Deco building. For an Italian treat, head to Bertoldo's Pasticceria, a family bakery that's been a Griffith institution since 1952. Or visit Codemo Smallgoods on Mitchell Lane for locally made delicacies, such as southern and northern Italian-style salamis. If you're visiting in August, don't miss the Festa delle Salsicce – Griffiths's festival of the sausage, featuring food, drink and traditional folk music to celebrate the end of the salami making season.

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