As the days get longer and the nights get warmer, the weather signals the seasons have changed and have given way to spring, the season for light, fresh wines enjoyed outdoors in good company.

Tarrawingee’s historic Plough Inn is uncorking their spring wine list, embracing lighter, more vibrant selections, think crisp local Pinot Grigio, Prosseco and Fianos, spritzers that pair perfectly with the season’s produce.

Plough Inn owner Phil Lithgow said as the seasons change people’s preferences change overnight.

“As soon as the weather changes, it goes from predominantly pouring reds to predominantly pouring whites,” he said.

The Plough Inn exclusively stocks wines from within an hour’s drive, a decision rooted in both quality and community.

“We’re in such a good area, like you just spoilt for a choice,” Phil said.

“Our wines compare really favourably in price and in drinking ability to anything else that you can get on the market.”

This local-first approach fosters strong relationships with nearby wineries.

“The service we get out of the wineries is exceptional and we love sending people there as well because we know them,” Phil said.

One of the most notable trends this spring is the growing popularity of spritzers and mid-strength wines.

“We’ve put a mid rosé on as people are looking for a lower alcohol wines as well," Phil said.

"We are seeing similar trends with beer, people are leaning more towards mid-strengths.

"Spritzers are really on point at the moment.

"Aperol and limoncello spritzers are particularly popular, appealing to younger drinkers who are moving away from overly sweet options.

“That’s the new trend."

The Plough Inn’s kitchen complements the wine list with seasonal dishes that pair beautifully with lighter wines.

“We do more salads and lighter meals alongside your pub classics, and those things go beautifully with the whites,” Phil said.

“Vietnamese salad or a lovely salmon with a rocket and ginger salad goes really well.

"We help people match their meals with wines, whether it’s a mid-weight red or a crisp white.”

Interestingly, wine trends aren’t just seasonal, they’re generational.

Phil said older patrons are also moving away from traditional choices and embracing local, lighter wines.

“The younger ones tend to set the wine trends and then the older ones go, ‘Oh, they’re enjoying that, I'll try it too,'” he said.

Head down to the Plough Inn for a refreshing sip or enjoy some live music most Saturday afternoons from October to Easter.

Tickets are also on sale for the third blues festival at the pub, TarraBlues3 at https://tarrapub.com.au/?tribe_events=tarrablues3.