Ever loved a winery so much that you didn’t want to leave? Here are a dozen great estates where you don’t have to.
Wineries are the sort of place that can bring on the sudden need for a tree change. When you’re looking out over sweeping vineyards and idyllic backdrops with a glass of something fancy in one hand and a more-ish perfectly paired snack in the other, it can really make you want to uproot and move. Stat. But before you go making your escape to the country, there are plenty of top wineries where you can enjoy all that and more with an overnight stay – and still keep your real life intact.
Cellar doors were once very straight-forward places. You know, somewhere to make and store wine, pour a few samples, and serve a cheese plate or two. But they’re now diversifying in the best possible ways. In some cases, that means you can go from a vineyard tour, masterclass and tasting to a long lunch, art exhibition and massage before calling it a night in a luxury pad, all without leaving the property. The best kind of one-stop shop.
Whether you’re after a hit of romance, a getaway with wine-loving friends, a girls’ weekend, or quality time with a great mate, the following winery accommodation around the country covers all bases. Take your pick, book ahead and get excited – some truly next-level experiences await.
Mitchelton, Nagambie
If you seem to always visit the same Victorian wine regions, it’s time to take the 90-minute drive north of Melbourne to Nagambie in the Goulburn Valley. Here, Mitchelton offers an escape with the works – infinity pool included. In addition to its incredible wines, Indigenous art gallery, day spa and two dining venues, Mitchelton also has luxe rooms for couples, although a rollaway can be arranged for any tagalongs. After floods hit Mitchelton, neighbouring winery Tahbilk (it’s a 15-minute drive – the perfect detour) and the wider region in October 2022, a fancy-pants getaway is a pretty sweet way to show your support.
Pizzini Wines, King Valley
Looking exactly how a wine region should, north-east Victoria’s King Valley is all undulating hills, bright green fields and spectacular vineyards. About a three-hour drive from Melbourne, Pizzini Wines is one of many local producers to showcase their Italian heritage; not just in their wide-ranging wines (don’t miss the prosecco, it’s a big regional thing), but also through the cooking classes they run. Groups seeking a gourmet good time will love the two homes on-site, with stunning views galore, or you could instead choose a food and wine package staying at Pizzini’s nearby Mountain View Hotel.
Audrey Wilkinson, Hunter Valley
There are stacks of places to stay in the Hunter Valley, but surprisingly few are at working wineries, making Audrey Wilkinson a standout option. Three guesthouses on the estate sleep between four and eight people, so this is your sign to plan that family reunion (you could take all three cottages) or a brilliant weekend away with your whole crew. Aside from a deep dive into Audrey Wilkinson's flagship wines, you’ll also find a museum here, plus various tastings and experiences. You’ll be in easy reach of the best of the Hunter, but you might find it hard to leave.
Rowlee Wines, Orange
It’s hard to talk about Orange without mentioning its cool climate and high altitudes (it helps produce pristine fruit for the region’s diverse wines). This is all clearly on show at Rowlee Wines, which sits 950 metres above sea level. Tucked away here is a private guesthouse for two, where couples can get comfy in front of the fire. As part of the package, there’s a guided tasting of their premium wines matched with chocolate or cheese, and you even get to take home your six favourite wines to relive your stay after you sadly have to leave.
Longview Vineyard, Adelaide Hills
In the pretty Adelaide Hills, Longview Vineyard makes an extensive range of quality single-vineyard wines. Alongside the usual cool-climate suspects are deliciously quirky drops like their blend of pinot grigio and gruner veltliner, and their Italian red varieties are highlights. It all works a treat with the restaurant’s Italian-leaning dishes, and there’s no better way to seal a visit than with an overnight stay. Choose between king suites, a five-bedroom homestead or the new four-bedroom lodge, or perhaps book the lot and throw a party (yep, they do weddings). And did we mention the new day spa?
Gemtree Wines, McLaren Vale
Blazing the organic and biodynamic trail, McLaren Vale’s Gemtree Wines is not just about trying the dynamic range (although it’s a major drawcard). They also run interactive sessions on biodynamics, plus there’s an eco-trail on their beautiful estate leading through 10 hectares of regenerated bushland, as well as a choice of experiences – the Indigenous-led cultural walk is a winner. To cap it off, spend the night in one of their sustainable, off-grid, Insta-worthy cabins; a partnership with CABN. It’s the ultimate way to fully connect with this breathtaking property and see what Gemtree is all about.
Fermoy Estate, Margaret River
With some Margaret River wineries a good 30-minute drive from others, a decent tour of this region needs several days and an ideal home base. For the full winery experience, you can’t go past Fermoy Estate’s two-storey, four-bedroom home. With vines at the door, your group can soak up the surrounds while tucking into the treats you collect on your travels. That might be as simple as plating up a load of cheeses, cured meats and bread to enjoy with Fermoy’s top wines (grab their sparkling at the cellar door – trust us) or going all out with a home-cooked feast.
Alkoomi Wines, Great Southern
If you’re doing the four-hour drive south from Perth to the Great Southern (and you really should), you’ll want to stay a while. This vast area is made up of five distinct subregions increasingly celebrated for their pure-fruited whites and fresh reds. In Frankland River, Alkoomi Wines crafts exceptional wines across a range of varieties. They offer various experiences for you to taste through the range, but the best idea is to stay on at one of their two homes (each sleeps up to seven). Hot tip: visit in spring and the region’s colourful wildflowers create a sensational background.
Sirromet, Mount Cotton
With its destination cellar door sitting between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Sirromet (pronounced ‘Sirromay’) showcases quality wines from the Granite Belt – a region that gets surprisingly cold for the Sunshine State (it can even snow). At Mount Cotton, Sirromet has a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus an events space, wine tastings, winery tours and expansive lawns, and even a spot for your chopper to land (should you be so lucky); it’s all about the visitor here. You also have the chance to stay on the estate in a tented pavilion (think glamping on stilts), or there are two homes that are excellent for families.
Nuova Scuola Wines, South Burnett
If your idea of a winery getaway is cosying up in comfort in the middle of a vineyard, head for Nuova Scuola Wines in the South Burnett region. This winery’s one-bedroom cottage is surrounded by vines, and you’re sure to feel right at home, especially after a personal vineyard tour with the couple behind the winery and a tasting of their wines that put the spotlight on Italian and Spanish varieties. A continental breakfast is included, and you can also opt for an in-room dinner, which is the best way to immerse yourself in the serenity of this unique spot.
MONA Pavilions, Hobart
Love luxe accommodation and killer art? At Hobart’s MONA Pavilions you get both, along with a load of glass features that lets you take advantage of this riverside setting. On the same site as renowned gallery MONA, you could spend a day moving between the contemporary art displays, taking a cocktail break at Void Bar, pushing the boat out with a meal at The Source, and sampling Moo Brew beers and Moorilla wines. This isn’t one of Tasmania’s star attractions for nothing, and an overnight stay is the dreamiest way to complete the experience.
McHenry Distillery, Port Arthur
Alright, this isn’t a winery, but it’s brilliant and we just had to include it. On the side of Mount Arthur, this family operation is Australia’s southernmost distillery, overlooking Port Arthur and surrounding bushland. Since launching in 2010, McHenry Distillery has gained a lot of fans and accolades for their vodka, gin and whisky, which benefit from the property’s natural spring and cool maritime conditions. You can tour the distillery and taste through a paddle of spirits, but to truly be inspired by this natural setting, you can make a night of it in their secluded one-bedroom eco-cabin – it’s on a hilltop to capture those awesome views.
