A wine lovers’ playground
The moniker ‘The Lucky Country’ couldn’t ring truer than when we consider our incredible wine country's rich history, vast beauty, and diverse terroirs. World-renowned wine regions beckon to be explored, only a stone’s throw from our cities, making for the perfect weekend getaway.
You’ll discover some of the world’s oldest-producing vines and many new and emerging varietals and styles. Be ready to be welcomed by friendly faces, country towns lost in time and gastronomical pleasures. Over this two-part series, we focus on some of Australia’s finest wine regions, both known and up-and-coming. So, clear a weekend, pack your bags and experience the playground that is our wine country.
Granite Belt | 3 hours from Brisbane | Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Verdelho
Hidden within a region known as “Australia’s Apple Capital”, you’ll find Australia’s highest-altitude wine region. Its climate is not unlike that of the Rhône Valley. Here, boutique wineries are bending the rules of winemaking with what they like to call ‘Strange Bird Wines’ (alternative varietals). Introduce your palate to Sangiovese, Tempranillo, and Mourvédre as you zoom along the Strange Bird Wine Trail. The open farm gates and gourmet larders are plenty, and should truffle hunting intrigue you, the local truffiére may be worth a look.
South Burnett | 3 hours from Brisbane | Verdelho, Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon
Lush hinterland peppered with vineyards and quaint rural townships add to the charm of this up-and-coming wine region—a day on the road revealing orchards, olive groves and boutique family-owned wineries producing award-winning wines. The area boasts emerging varietals Saperavi, Fiano, Montepulciano, Nebbiolo and Tinta Cao. Many wineries offer cellar-door experiences, boutique accommodations and restaurants. The locals are friendly, and artisan delights are abundant with locally-grown produce.
Southern Highlands | 1 hour 20 mins from Sydney | Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon
A high-altitude wine region with a global reputation for producing elegant, cool-climate wines. The area has over sixty vineyards and twenty cellar doors, with a young and diverse wine community that brings an unmistakable zest to its heritage-soaked towns. A lovely country getaway for anyone wanting to indulge in good food and good wine, it’s a wine lover and foodie’s escape! With a choice of a wine trail, pie trail, coffee trail, truffle trail or book trail, you may never leave!
Shoalhaven Coast | 2 hours from Sydney | Chardonnay, Chambourcin, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
Did someone say lush green forests, pristine beaches, and award-winning wines? There’s little doubt the Shoalhaven Coast has a lot going on. It’s establishing itself as a vibrant wine region with an experience for the whole family; walking trails, marine animals (dolphins, seals and whales), surfing, food and wine. The warm maritime climate makes it ideal for growing Chambourcin, the region’s signature grape, a relatively new variety that came into existence in 1963. Spend the day hopping from one cellar door to another, or possibly wineries in the morning, and freshly shucked oysters on the beach in the afternoon is more your vibe. With over forty-nine towns to explore, you’ll surely return to this little gem!
Yarra Valley | 1 hour 30 minutes from Melbourne | Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
World-class wineries reside here. Full stop. Green rolling hills, sprawling vineyards, architectural wonders, and rustic tin sheds display the diversity and history of the region. Known for producing outstanding Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the region’s repertoire extends beyond the norm with the likes of Gamay, Arneis, Nebbiolo and Sangiovese. Your palate (and hips) will be tempted, from homestyle country pies at the local bakery to haute cuisine at chef’s hatted restaurants. But wait, there’s more! The region is bursting with glorious local produce (think fine artisan cheese), vibing towns, distilleries and country pubs too. And you may need more than a weekend, with over eighty vineyards to explore!
King Valley |3 hours from Melbourne | Prosecco, Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese
Travel to the Victorian high country to a place known as the home of Italian wine styles. Its history, whilst man-from-snowy-river-esk, has a strong Italian influence with first, second and third-generation migrant families. Warm summer days and cool nights ripen grapes to perfection resulting in a wide variety of grapes planted, including Arneis, Verduzzo and Barbera. Here you’ll find the famous ‘Prosecco Road’, the birthplace of Australian Prosecco. The first plantings of prosecco were so popular that many local winemakers came together to create the fantastic Italian-inspired food and wine trail. And if the Prosecco isn’t sweet enough, the vanilla slices at a bakery in Milawa are to die for. We hear they do a darn good cruffin too!
Keep your eyes peeled for next week’s adventures, where we travel into Tasmanian, South Australian and Western Australian wine country.