The 9th annual Weekend Fit for A King festival saw record crowds head to the Valley to give their taste buds an experience.

In a region known for its diverse wines, chardonnay and shiraz were sipped along with new releases of sangiovese and tempranillo.

La Cantina vineyard owner Gino Corsini said the small family-run wineries in the King Valley were becoming more popular with tourists.

“We’r e finding that people who used to go to Rutherglen now come here,” he said.

“Our vineyards are a lot less commercial and I think that’s what people from the cities are after these days.”

Enjoying a tasty anti-pasta platter at La Cantina, Lyn Morling and Fayth Andrews said they made the journey from Melbourne to sip pinot in a picturesque setting that reminded them of Tuscany.

“We really have been treated like kings,” Ms Andrews said.

“The King Valley has fabulous wines, fabulous views and, as we’re discovering, fabulous food.”

More than 200 artworks were on display at the King Valley Art Show, at Gracebrook Stables, a signature festival event.

With $10,000 in prizemoney to be won, artists from across the region and the state submitted their works in the coveted show judged by Archibald finalist Peter Churcher.

“We’v e had entries from a broad range of artists, from renowned painters to school children,” art show organiser Julie Tyler said.

“The standard of pieces has just been incredible.”

Mr Churcher awarded various prizes for the use of texture and the ability for the painting to tell a story.

Vineyard owner Doug Groom said the King Valley’s diverse array of European wines was an attraction.

“The beauty of the King Valley is that we don’t specialise in one particular variety,” he said.

“We do all of them very well.”