Everybody loves to be wined and dined, and luckily Australia has many fantastic destinations offering behind-the-scenes wine and food experiences to keep us happy. Australia has become known internationally for our high-end, award-winning wines; experiencing this for yourself should be on every wine lover’s bucket list. Here are our top destinations for wine lovers.
Launceston
Often described as Australia’s best-kept secret, Launceston is centrally located to several amazing Tasmanian wineries, making it the ideal base for a romantic wine and dine travel experience. Just 30 minutes from the famous Tamar Valley, known for its Sparkling, Chardonnays and aromatic whites, the Leisure Inn Penny Royal is the perfect place to stay. The hundreds of wineries surrounding Launceston produce some of the most highly awarded wines in Australia and the Tamar valley wine route is a must-do day trip if you want to explore them all. Wineries like Josef Chromy and Tamar Ridge offer immersive experiences where you can meet the makers who discuss their craft while tasting and enjoying the stunning views.
Tasmania, Australia
Melbourne
For diverse wine offerings, there is no location more fit for wine lovers than Melbourne. Close to both the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula, famous for Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Chardonnay. Australia’s premier cool climate conditions in the area mean several of Australia’s most well-known and well-loved wine producers including Rob Dolan Wines and Montalto Vineyard, along with over 200 other vineyards, call the region home. If you aren’t looking for a day trip, Melbourne is also home to several wine bars such as Little Prince Wine and Second Act Wine Bar which offer tastings accompanied by delectable small bites. About an hour away from the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula, and a short walk to the coolest wine bars in Melbourne, Park Regis Griffin Suites is centrally located to all of Victoria’s wine hotspots.
Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia
Hunter Valley
The Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s oldest wine regions with over 150 wineries to choose from, producing Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Verdelho and Semillon. This area is also famous for its luxury restaurants, making it the perfect destination for a pleasurable wine and dine experience. At the heart of the Hunter Valley, the Leisure Inn Pokolbin Hill is the quintessential place to stay for a getaway like no other. Some of the nation’s top wine names in wine originate from the Hunter Valley, with these passionate winemakers opening their doors for tastings and revealing the processes behind such unique flavours. The Hunter Valley is the ideal destination for locally produced and family-owned wines such as Audrey Wilkinson Wines and Tyrrell’s Wines. The Hunter Valley offers a truly enriching experience, encouraging you to sit back with a glass of locally sourced Semillon and take in the breathtaking landscape.
Hunter Valley Vineyard
Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains may be an inclusion that surprises some, but the destination has a beautifully rich wine culture that stems from a tightly connected community of small, family-owned wineries. The Blue Mountains offer a niche, boutique winery experience that will leave you just as satisfied and may even unveil some new favourites. Stay at the Leisure Inn Spires to explore the off-beaten track and discover the region’s many hidden gems. The wineries Dryridge Estate and Megalong Creek Estate offer hand-made, exotic twists on your favourites, which you can enjoy surrounded by waterfalls at their vineyards. Winburndale Winery offers visitors another unique tasting using grapes indigenous to the area. These small wineries certainly don’t disappoint when it comes to their wine, offering memorable experiences.
