Adelaide Hills

The stunning region of Adelaide Hill's is situated less than an hour away from the city. Adelaide is the largest wine-growing hub in the country with the popular Barossa Valley situated just a few miles away from the city, the most prestigious growing area in southern Australia. The region has a cool climate and an elevated altitude which combine to create distinct wines. Adelaide Hills is one of the largest and most diverse wine regions in Australia, some of the most famous wineries located here include Hahndorf Hill Winery in the heritage town of Hahndorf with a unique combination of German and Australian history, specializing in Austrian grape varieties, K1 by Geoff Hardy which is run by a 5th generation wine family, regarded as one of the best cellar door experiences in the country, and Penfolds’ Magill Estate cellar doors with a wide range of iconic wines to tease your palette.

Some of the most popular wines in Adelaide hills are Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Riesling. Adelaide is one of the most accessible of all the wine regions in the country, boasting over 50 cellar doors located within 30 minutes of the CBD. There are daily public buses that travel from Adelaide to Adelaide Hills and hiring a car is a great option. Many of the cellar doors in the area offer lunch and dinner options with exceptional dining experiences such as a visit to The Lane Vineyard to their luxury contemporary restaurant boasting spectacular views of the vineyards. Adelaide and Adelaide Hills are home to plenty of annual festivals that celebrate the region’s food and wine along with a fun, exciting experience. Check out CRUSH held in January, Winter Reds Weekend in July, and Adelaide Hills Wine Show in November.

Albany

Albany is filled with dramatic contrasts, a tiny wine region occupying a coastal pocket of the Great Southern in Western Australia. The sophisticated region boasts a vast and rich cultural history with striking rugged coastline and tall verdant timber forest, a rustic, diverse destination full of natural distinctions, beauty, and uniqueness. Albany is the oldest European settlement in the state and is among the largest wine-growing region in mainland Australia including five nominated sub-regions; Albany, Denmark, Frankland River, Mount Barker, and Porongurup. These regions produce distinctive fine wines which benefit from the cool climate viticulture in the natural clean, green environment.

The vines in Albany were established in the late 1970s with the first commercial winery introduced in 1982. Today many of the region’s vineyards and wineries are small-batch, family-operated businesses that offer organic and biodynamic production. There are around 170 acres of verdant vineyards scattered through the rolling hills, wild oceanfront, and picturesque headlands of Albany. The wine region here is of international significance and reputation, and the style of most of the wines here is relatively restrained due to the broadly Mediterranean climate with a large maritime influence. Many of the Albany vineyards are no more than 25 miles away from the stunning coast.

The remarkable vineyards of Albany are mostly known for producing Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir in certain locations. The staple white wine specialty of the area is Riesling and the production of sparkling Chardonnay which is gaining popularity over recent years. The vast and rugged region is home to over 70 producers crafting 25% of Western Australia’s wine. The Great Southern winemaking region lays in the talented hands of award-winning winemakers that run world-class wineries throughout the region.

Bunbury

Bunbury Geographe is filled with fun exciting outdoor activities and two spectacular wine regions; Geographe and Blackwood Valley and stunning dramatic landscapes with boutique, family-run wineries that are run by passionate winemakers. The South West region encompasses Bunbury, Harvey, Collie River Valley, Ferguson Valley, Capel, Donnybrook-Bailingup, and Boyup Brook. The Bunbury region is blessed with not one, but two wine regions and the Geographe Alternative Wine Trail where cutting-edge wines can be sampled and introduce wine lovers to innovative winemakers at small charming estates. The Wine Trail travels from Arneis to Barbera, Fiano to Tempranillo.

These wine regions are the perfect destination for a road trip connecting a maze of valleys, small, winding roads, along stunning views. The rustic backcountry feel adds to the charm to visit some impressive award-winning vineyards such as ‘little Italy’ Vineyard 28, Capel Vale Vineyard, Ferguson Valley, Willow Bridge, and St. Aiden Wines. The passionate winemakers of the region take pleasure in creating amazing small-batch wines at some of the best boutique wineries in Western Australia. Cellar doors offer food and wine sampling as well as overnight stays.

The Bunbury region is cooled off in the afternoon by the sea breeze which creates a long-lasting and stable growing season. There are many different plantings of well known and minor varieties in the region such as Arneis, Bastardo, Cinsaut, Dolcetto, Barbera, Fiano, Graciano, Haslevelu, Muscadelle, Muscat Hamburg, Saperavi, Souzao, Tinta Cao, Touriga Nacional, Verdejo, Vermentino, and Zinfandel. The strong maritime coastal strip along with rolling verdant hills and river valleys of the Darling Ranges gives way to a number of microclimates that make the region perfectly suited for many different types of grapes.

Devonport

Devonport is nestled on the northern coastline of North West Tasmania’s Wine region, near Burnie and extending inland to Sheffield and Barrington. There are two districts in this area; Coastal and Inland due to the climatic differences, they include the Rubicon Vineyard and Hawley Beach Winery on the cost at Port Sorell and Lake Barrington Estate on the shores of Lake Barrington. Just east of Devonport is the renowned Ghost Rock Hill Vineyard offering a modern cellar door experience that produces outstanding wines grown in their own verdant vineyards. Wines produced here include Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Rose.

Devonport’s climate is different to the Inland Districts, such as Sheffield with low minimum temperatures around 38.66 deg F during the month of July compared to 36.5 deg F in Sheffield. Peak rainfall is from the month of May through August. The Devonport Food and Wine Festival takes place the month of October showcasing local and international cuisine, wine tastings, chef tables, and cooking classes. The festival boasts a wide variety of food that is prepared with fresh local ingredients by noted chefs in the area. Live entertainment is featured at the festival along with plenty of activities for the children. There are excursions to local vineyards and farms where attendees can see firsthand the making of Devonport’s celebrated wines, ciders, and cheeses.

Healsville

Healsville Wine District is part of the spectacular Yarra Valley Wine Region which encompasses vineyards and wineries near the townships of Healesville and Badger Creek. The popular day-trip area of Healesville is great for weekend getaways and long relaxing holidays with access to the region’s spectacular wine and cuisine. The scenery here is simply stunning and home to over 200 species of fascinating native wildlife at the famous Healesville Sanctuary and an array of other exciting attractions. Healsville offers a charming setting to take a wine tour of wineries and cellar doors such as Domaine Chandon, Rochford Wines, Coldstream Hills, Broussard’s Chum Creek, Grace Burn Estate, Long Gully Estate, Tarrahill Estate, Tarrawarra Estate, and Yarra Track wines.

There are many fantastic attractions to check out in this beautiful region including the Healesville Community Market, Yarra Ranges National Park, Yarra Valley Railway, Giant Steps, and Innocent Bystander wines, TarraWarra Museum of Art that incorporates a stunning restaurant with wine tastings and wonderful collections of Australian modern art.

The Yarra Valley wine region in Victoria features over 2,837 hectares of sprawling vineyards with the main grape varieties being Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The verdant valley floor includes Healesville with most of the sub-region sitting at 262 feet above sea level on the gently sloping hills, that on average are warmer than other parts of the area. The regional champions here are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet, and Shiraz, the Yarra is one of the best-serviced wine regions with a wealth of excellent cellar doors, restaurants, and ample accommodations.

Hunter Valley

Hunter Valley is famous for its award-winning wines and cuisine in a spectacular historical setting with vineyards dating back to the 1860s. It is home to the first commercial vineyards in Australia and is one of the best-known and most visited wine regions in the country, with award-winning cellar doors, top restaurants, and stunning scenery. The verdant valley features a mixture of traditional and innovative producers who create unique expressions of Semillon wines along with Chardonnay, Shiraz, and a growing list of other varieties well suited in the region’s warm climate. Hunter Valley is a wine lover’s dream, as well as a foodie haven with cured meats, cheese, olives, and chocolate produced in the region.

Hunter Valley is home to some of Australia’s most famous winemaking families such as Tulloch and Tyrrell. Famous wineries in the valley include Audrey Wilkinson where a range of Semillon wine and earthy shiraz’s can be sampled in an outstanding setting with views of the expansive valley decorated with verdant vineyards. Tyrrell’s Wines offers daily winery tours going behind the scenes of one of the region’s oldest estates, a historic vineyard with premium private tastings to savor the taste of Shiraz and other grape varieties.

Hunter Valley was established in the late 19th century by James Busby, the father of Australian wine, he purchased over 20,000 vine cuttings from Europe and brought them to Australia. The valley is within close proximity to Sydney and lures visitors in with exciting events and world-famous performers, as well as the Hunter Valley Wine and Food Festival. There are over 120 wineries in the valley, it is a great place for a relaxing weekend getaway with day spas, wellness retreats, high-end dining experiences, and hot air balloon rides. The Cellar Restaurant offers a modern contemporary atmosphere with hearty menu items.

Orange

The Orange wine region is located just west of Sydney in NSW offering a wide range of elevations between 1233 - 4,409 feet above sea level. The region’s elevation greatly affects the climate which overall offers mild to warm mean temperatures that are offset with cool evening temperatures during the grape growing season. There are around 1,075 hectares of vineyards with the main varieties being Shiraz, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines in Orange are usually blended however they are sometimes produced as single varietal wines, leaving no doubt that the Orange region features a temperate climate.

Orange is a major player in the NSW wine industry thanks to the cool climate and its volcanic soils. Visit cellar doors, degustations, and the sprawling countryside at locations such as Swinging Bridge, Highland Heritage Estate, De Salis, Ferment, Cooks Lot, and Cumulus Wines. The vineyards in Orange are nestled in the verdant hills and valleys of the central Great Dividing Range that run for over 2,175 miles from Queensland to western Victoria. Orange is a fast developing cooler climate wine region and best known for its wide range of red and white grape varieties that produce peppery Shiraz, and elegant Cabernet Sauvignons, as well as sparkling wines.

The region’s first commercial production of table grapes developed after the arrival of the railway in 1877 and by 1925 there were 450 acres of table grape vineyards dotted around the region. In the 1990s expansion in the wine production region was rapid and the total area of plantings has now reached about 3,700 acres. Winemakers in Orange capitalize on the dual terroirs combining fruit from both higher and lower-lying vineyards that they use to create their house style or multiple styles.

Margaret River

Margaret River is the most famous wine region in Western Australia, known for producing the most elegant wines in the country. The region is filled with spectacular scenery, a remote area boasting pristine beaches, hidden caves, ancient forests, along with plants and wildlife that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Margaret River’s natural scenery and laid-back lifestyle attract visitors from all over the world, the region has over 90 cellar doors to visit where age-worthy Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are ready for sampling.

Cullen Wines is an established estate in the Margaret River region offering simple tastings and excellent Food and Wine Experiences, with exquisite dishes from their award-winning restaurant. The Vasse Felix estate is the founding wine estate in the region, which allows wine lovers to see every aspect of the winemaking process, with tours and in-depth tasting experiences in their exclusive vault. Voyager Estate is one of the big names in the region that recently announced its move to full organic certification.

In just 50 years the Margaret River wine region has built a world-renowned reputation as one of the premier provinces for fine wine. There are over 200 boutique wine producers, accounting for 25% of the country’s premium wines, the region is best known for its Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay. Stella Bella, Voyager Estate, and Evans and Tate wineries are all hugely popular in Margaret River, offering a wide range of wines. Eagle Bay Brewing Co is the place for beer lovers with an outstanding selection of craft beers on tap and mouthwatering woodfired pizzas. The Farmer’s Market on Saturdays is a must-do with the finest, and freshest produce available.

New South Wales

The most populous state of New South Wales or NSW is a major wine-producing region composed of 16 different regions covering approximately 312,000 sq mi. These regions produce most of the commercial Chardonnay and Shiraz for Australia, as well as newer drought-friendly varieties like Tempranillo and Verdelho. The region is home to a dozen wine regions that grow a wide variety of grapes that produce both cool and warm climate wines. There are spectacular cellar doors to visit where visitors can meet winemakers, dine on delicious cuisine, and soak up the atmosphere at vibrant gourmet festivals spread throughout the state. Partake in exciting wine tours and discover the fantastic off the beaten track wineries such as notable ones like Brokenwood, Chatto, De luliis, Lake’s Folly, McWilliam’s, Margan Petersons, and Tyrrell’s.

NSW boasts around 500 wine producers, the most well-known and oldest continuous region here is The Hunter Valley Region and New England is the newest region added in 2008. The viticulture here has played an important role in antipodean wine history and its verdant vineyard area which is rapidly developing. During the 1970s the state’s wine production was one-third that of South Australia, the most prolific wine-producing state in the nation, this gap is now closing fast. The South Eastern Australia GI area is the largest in the country and includes wine produced in NSW along with Victoria, Tasmania, and parts of South Australia.

New South Wales’s wines include Chardonnay and Shiraz along with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot found in each GI of NSW. There are various types of Muscat and Colombard found throughout the Big Rivers, the area has been associated with mass-production from high yielding varieties. The state lies on the continent’s east coast and boasts an incredibly diverse range of climates, such as coastal to Alpine and across the top of the Great Dividing Range. NSW is a large region and exploring the wines, wineries, cellar doors and wine tours here can be a lengthy journey. These places will offer NSW’s revered Semillon, distinctive Shiraz’s, and other full-bodied richer styles like Gundagai and Cowra.

Perth

Perth is Australia’s largest state that spans the western third of the continent, with most of its winemaking regions almost entirely concentrated in the southwestern portion of the State. The wine regions in Perth include Swan Valley, and Perth Hills near the State Capital of Perth and further south regions such as Peel, Geographe, Blackwood Valley, Pemberton, Manjimup, Great Southern, and Margaret River. The region has become well known for its zesty Sauvignon Blancs, superlative Cabernet Sauvignons, and bold Zinfandel’s. Margaret River is the region’s most well-known wine-producing area. The region’s maritime influence from the ocean leading to a long maturation and the development of interestingly delicate, balanced, and aromatic wines.

Perth Hills wineries are dotted throughout the Chittering Valley in the north, the central Perth Hills, Bickley Valley, and the Serpentine Valley to the south. Visit boutique vineyards, charming cellar doors, owned and operated by local families, and great winemakers passionate about making uniquely crafted wines. The closest cellar door is just 25 minutes away from Perth city center where stunning views, world-class wines, local produce, and unique community life can be enjoyed. Western Australia’s wine production history dates back to 1840 when Sandalford in the Swan Valley region was established. Dr. John Gladstone, a scientist identified the Margaret River region as a prime location for premium wine production.

The wineries in Western Australia are the largest of eight administrative zones and territories of Australia and in 2020 they represented just 2% of the national wine production in the country. The climate in southwest WA is relatively cool, tempered by the presence of the Indian Ocean in the west and the Antarctic Ocean to the south and east.

Tanunda

The popular Tanunda Wine District is located in the vicinity of the township of Tanunda in the Barossa Valley Wine Region dotted with wineries and vineyards. The town of Tanunda lies in the heart of the verdant sprawling Barossa Valley showcasing German origins, with remarkable Lutheran churches in Tanunda, a fascinating museum, and a winery keg factory. The wine industry in this region is world-renowned and some of the famous wineries in the area include Barossa Vintners, Basedow Wines, Chateau Tanunda, Glaetzer Wines, Gordon Sunter Wines, Langmeil Winery, and many more. The interesting town of Tanunda is a vibrant destination with an engaging community, the town is also home to some of the country’s best-known and most loved wines. Check out excellent cafes, and fantastic restaurants in town with great food and entertainment. Chateau Tanunda has been beautifully restored into a modern function center showcasing the region’s boutique wineries and wines. There is plenty of information in the town of Tanunda to learn about the wine and wine-making history of Barossa Valley.

Trent Burge is a sixth-generation winemaker who grew up in and on Barossa soil, Barossa Boy Wines is his passion project devoted to the ultimate expression of the Barossa region’s signature varieties and distinctive characters. Artisans of Barossa is a group of wineries that was formed in 2005, boasting a like-minded approach to winemaking and wine enjoying. Hobbs of Barossa, Schwarz Wine Company, John Duval, Sons of Eden, and Spinifex formed a collaboration and commitment to work together to encourage and promote the art of small-batch, sub-regional Barossa winemaking. Their experienced winemaking skills and general knowledge of the vineyard landscapes and connections through the local wine community combined is a great partnership of winemakers.

The region is home to the most unique varietal style; Barossa Shiraz, the hero red in the region along with Riesling’s. Barossa is home to over 40 wine grape varieties each boasting its own character, that reflects the hands of the grower and winemaker.

Hobart

Hobart is situated in the east of Tasmania with the Derwent River as its spine and giving life and movement to the flora and fauna and most importantly the grapes of the Australian state capital after Adelaide. It is the second driest city in the country with a sheltered climate where some of Tasmania’s main wine centers have developed. The Derwent provides rich tannins and minerals to the soil giving thousands of years of complexity to the grape varietal. A day trip to the many wineries found closest to Hobart makes for a great day of sipping and sightseeing at some spectacular wineries. The maritime climate and the Tasman sea provide a cooling climate and strong southerly winds that keep the grapes fresh in the summer, and away from frosts in the winter. Hobart’s vast range of cool climate wines is making its way to global recognition.

The Huon Valley is also known as Apple Isle is one of the most fertile valleys in the region and home to some of the wineries closest to Hobart. The journey here is part of the adventure with plenty of fun stops to make along the way, check out three different fruit stalls, two cider sheds, and a few produce farms to pick up some goodies. The wineries in Huon Valley make up 1% of Tasmania’s wine distribution, the wineries are small scale with plenty of personality and character.

Stefano Lubiana is one of the best wineries in Hobart and the Derwent Valley region is known for its elegant Pinot noirs and buttery Sauvignon Blancs. This spectacular winery boasts a stunning location set high upon a hill overlooking the river, the onsite high-class restaurant on site has great food and service matched with magnificent wines.

A wine trip in Tasmania is imperative, there is so much to see and do in this region including Salmon Ponds for fresh fish, a walk through Mount Field National Park to see the cascading waterfalls, and some of the most ancient, and tallest trees in the world. There are tons of wine tours to choose from on the tiny island of Tasmania where cool-climate wines are in abundance. The Coal River Valley features the best wineries in Hobart along with options for fine dining, fresh local produce, and award-winning wines. Coal River Farm is a must-see and taste destination with delicious food and wine to sample.

Swansea

The quaint coastal town of Swansea is a great destination for exploring the verdant vineyards scattered along the Great Eastern Wine Drive. There are excellent accommodations in Swansea the perfect place for a weekend getaway with fantastic dining options as well as tours and tastings at the wineries. The Great Eastern Drive runs for 112 miles along Tasmania’s eastern edge connecting the quiet beach town of Orford to the fishing village of St Helens.

Swansea is a popular seaside resort town within close proximity to a handful of verdant vineyards and plenty of fresh produce from the surrounding lands and sea. There are opportunities to taste some of the finest wines, dine on delectable cuisine, sip on handcrafted brews, spirits, and ciders. These coastal towns boast some of the freshest seafood imaginable, some of the finest wines can be accompanied by plates of Tasmanian cheeses all while soaking up the magnificent coastal views.

Queensland

The Granite Belt wine region is home to over 50 wineries in the Queensland wine region. Queensland is not necessarily known for its wine but the Granite Belt wine region is trying to change that. The climate in Queensland is not exactly wine-making weather with high temperatures and even higher humidity, the vineyards here are located at some of the highest elevations in the country. There are verdant vineyards and apple orchards that are scattered throughout the region. The most popular wine varieties here include Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay, and newer candidates in recent years include Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, and Petit Verdot.

Tons of popular wineries can be found along the Granite Belt including Barramundi Wines, Ballandean Estate, Golden Grove Estate, Boireann Winery, Symphony Hill Wines, and Heritage Estate. The up-and-coming wine industry in Queensland is among some of the best-kept secrets in Australia, with South Burnett being the largest and fastest-growing wine region in Queensland. The region’s rich volcanic soil, along with hot dry summer and cold winters make prime growing conditions for grapes. The local cuisine combing with award-winning wines is the perfect combination along the Sunshine Coast, snack on local cheese, olives, preserves, and capers while sipping on Shiraz, a blend of unique flavors.

Queenscliff

Historic Queenscliff is situated on the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula and dotted with wonderful wineries that have a unique charm and breathtaking views over the bay. There are many different options for wine tours in the region with bike rides to beautiful vineyards passing farms, and produce stores being one of the most popular. Most of the wineries along the Bellarine Taste Trail are highly regarded for their cool-climate winemaking, and family-owned and operated. The Victoria region is home to more wine-growing regions than South Australia with tons of wineries to explore. There are over 900 cellar doors offering high-quality wines to taste along with stories from the growers who love to talk and drink wine. There are six main growing regions in Victoria; Port Phillip, Central Victoria, North East Victoria, Western Victoria, Gippsland, and North West Victoria.

The Queenscliff Brewhouse is situated on Bellarine Peninsula in the historical town of Queenscliff, established in 1879. Queenscliff is best known for its history and its grand hotels, making it a great weekend destination getaway, Queenscliffe Brewhouse is a multi-award-winning hotel, brewery, and distillery boasting over 400 craft beers, 200 regional wines, and 400 spirits. This fantastic establishment offers some of the best food, and drinks in the region, complemented by stunning views of Swan Bay. The wineries along the Bellarine Peninsula are mostly family-owned with great winemakers who create artisanal wines. The wineries, cafes, restaurants, and cellar doors here offering sweeping views of the bay. Bellarine Winery tours are a great way to make the most of your day in the region, allowing participants to relax and unwind with family and friends without having to worry about driving. The Northern Bellarine wine region is nestled amongst verdant rolling hills that collide with Port Philip Bay and Coria Bay across to the picturesque You Yangs. The region boasts some of the most intriguing cellar doors experiences and some of the most beloved wines in Victoria.