With the sun still peeking through the trees or amongst the cool of the mid-afternoon breeze, Autumn weekends are made for wine-tasting (and maybe a little cheese!). So here’s our tips for must-visit wineries across the country this season!
Western Australia
Deep Woods Estate, Yallingup, Margaret River
This winery took home Australia’s top wine prize in 2016, winning the Jimmy Watson Trophy for their 2014 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, but whether you are partial to a red or white, if you are in Margaret River territory, the spectacular views alone are enough reason to stop by.
Hot tips: If you want to mix some action with your relaxation the famed Yallingup surf is nearby. You can also add a little fromage to your wine with the Yallingup Cheese Company a short distance away!
Snake + Herring, Wilyabrup, Margaret River
Head a little further down the WA Coast and you will come across another Margaret River gem- Snake + Herring say they are on a wine safari to find the most remarkable grapes from WA vineyards, and we must say, they have done an excellent job. Their Corduroy Chardonnay took out top honours in the category at last year’s Royal Melbourne Wine Awards, but you don’t have to look too far to uncover some other treasures amongst their offering which includes delicious Rieslings, Pinots, Cab Sauvs and amazing blends.
Hot tips: The Margaret River Chocolate Company is an 8-minute drive from the winery if you want to top off your visit with a little sweetness! Not in WA? You can also jump online to order their amazing drops!
South Australia
Yalumba Wine Company, Angaston, Barossa Valley
More than 167 years old, the Yalumba Winery includes a wine room, a number of venue spaces include the Signature Cellar or the Yalumba Side Lawn and also offers intimate tasting experiences for small groups in the Family Tasting Room. With amazing vistas, lovingly kept and restored buildings that reflect the winery’s heritage and the opportunity to taste from their amazing wine list, this is a must visit if you are SA-way! Keep an eye out for their organic offering, with the 2015 Shiraz winning a major trophy at the 2016 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards.
Hot tips: If you are in the area on a Saturday, don’t miss the Barossa Farmer’s Market – open every Saturday from 7:30am-11:30am and just a few minute down the road! Or why not enjoy more of the spectacular views and meander along the Bethany to Angaston trail.
Bleasdale Vineyard, Langhorne Creek
Just under an hour’s drive from Adelaide, Bleasdale Vineyard, a fifth generation family winery, welcomes guests to taste a wide range of fine wines and fortifieds in the ambience of their historic tasting shed, which celebrates Bleasdale’s rich and long heritage. Winners of the Best Grenache, Red Rhone Varietal at the 2016 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards for their 2015 Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro, Bleasdale is a story of history and passion, that has resulted in some seriously impressive wines.
Hot tips: Looking to camp out the night? The nearby Frank Potts Reserve is named after Bleasdale’s founder, evidence of the winery’s contribution to the area and is a popular camping spot offering great space. Bleasdale.com.au
Victoria
Punt Road Wines, Coldstream, Yarra Valley
Victoria’s Yarra Valley is home to many great wineries- and Punt Road is no exception. Winners of three major trophies at the 2016 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards for their Napoleone Vineyard 2015 Shiraz, this family winery is located on a historic property where the fruit is grown from over 150 acres of vines and wine is made and shared. The full Punt Road range is always available for wine tastings and the winery also offers Yarra Valley Dairy cheese platters and award-winning Gundowring ice-cream to round out the indulgence.
Hot tips: Take home some local produce from Yarra Farm Fresh – the Yarra Valley’s premier farm shop, located in Coldstream and open 7 days until 5pm.
Castagna Wines, Beechworth
Winning the Victorian Wines of Provenance award at the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards is no mean feat, with the trophy recognising consistency in excellence across three vintages. Castagna Wines has been granted the honour for two years running, testament to the high quality wines they continuously produce, with a strong philosophy for traditional production techniques and farming biodynamically. The winery, located 5.5km out of the North Eastern Victorian town of Beechworth, has also been recognised in Gourmet Traveller Wine’s Best Cellar Door Awards. The vineyard’s altitude of 500 metres has not only helped produce high quality fruit and delicious wines, but also provides a stunning backdrop to any visit.
Tasmania
Pooley Wines, Richmond
The Apple Isle’s cool climate makes for perfect wine-growing conditions, with Pooley Wine’s award-winning 2016 Riesling’s delicious easy-drinking testament to that fact. Whilst the Cooinda Vale vineyard has been established since 1985, their Butcher’s Hill Vineyard and Cellar Door was established on the Belmont Estate in 2004. Featuring a stately sandstone house perched on Butcher’s Hill, the picture perfect winery boasts sustainable practices and is environmentally accredited.
Hot tips: Richmond boasts some fantastic historical landmarks including the Richmond Bridge and Gaol to extend your visit to the region. The Richmond Farmers and Makers Market is also on every Saturday from 9am-3pm in the village Town Hall.
New South Wales
Printhie Wines, Orange
Accoladed by Australian wine expert James Halliday as the premier winery of the Orange region, Printhie Wines took home the Best Sparkling Trophy at last year’s Royal Melbourne Wine Awards for their Swift Cuvee – and we quickly opened a bottle to celebrate! Building on what was originally a cropping and grazing farm, the Swift family planted 12 hectares of grapes in the mid-90s on the cool climate property and have never looked back, now boasting a state of the art 500 tonne winery. A visit to their cellar door is a wonderful place to try their list of delicious wines, relax on the verandah and enjoy the spectacular views.
Hot tips: If you are in the region in April check out Orange F.O.O.D. week – a 10 day celebration of the local fare, or in October take part in the Orange Wine Festival.