In winter you might see snowfall atop Mount Canobolas at this high-altitude cool-climate winery, while in spring it’s all sunny pastoral vistas. Winemaker Tom Ward crafts juicy pinot noir and zesty chardonnay at the family-owned operation located just a five-minute drive from Orange city centre. 

Wine to try: 2022 Mrs Payten Chardonnay

Cellar door: There are two stand-out cellar-door experiences at Swinging Bridge, with more in the works. Savour with Swinging Bridge includes a tasting of seven wines paired with specially crafted canapés. The second, Indulge at Swinging Bridge, sees guests embark on a vineyard tour to learn the story of the winery and its sustainable approach to winemaking, followed by a wine tasting matched to a four-course lunch.

701 The Escort Way, Orange; 0447 416 295

With a family history in vinification stretching back seven generations and almost 150 years, mother-daughter team Wendy and Natasha Killeen have winemaking in their blood. First established in the soils of Rutherglen in 1864, the winery has entered a new phase, producing excellent table wines using Portuguese grape varieties such as arinto and alvarinho as well as savoury, flavourful ports.

Wine to try: 2017 The Prince

Cellar door: A visit to the Rutherglen cellar door offers a thorough exploration of fortified wines and Portuguese varietals. Try a tour of the traditional blending solera and a guided private tasting on the Muscat Classification Tasting & Tour. In the Blend Your Own Muscat, guests can taste different muscats then blend their own bottle to take home. Lovers of Portuguese varietals must experience the Iberian Wine Experience, in which they’ll learn about rare Portuguese varietals and why Rutherglen offers the ideal growing environment. 

44 Jacks Road, Rutherglen; (02) 6032 9457

A combination of Tasmania’s cool climate, pristine environment, ancient clay soils and the expertise of winemaker Ed Carr produces Arras, Australia’s most-awarded sparkling wine. A visit to the spectacular Bay of Fires cellar door on the banks of the Pipers River, House of Arras goes way beyond the norm with a deep-dive into Tassie’s wine-growing history, masterclasses, tutored tastings and a guided walk at dusk around the vineyard to meet the local wildlife, glass of bubbles in hand. 

Wine to try: House of Arras Blanc de Blancs

Cellar door: Tastings range from a 45-minute session, an in-depth 90-minute Sparkling Scholar session and a Wine, Wildlife & Vineyard Walk in which visitors sip and spy local wildlife. Bookings essential. 

40 Baxters Rd, Pipers River, Tasmania; (03) 6382 7622

In 1878, Thomas Hardy converted an old flour mill into a winery and 170 years later, the McLaren Vale – just 35 kilometres south of Adelaide – is famous the world over for its premium shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. Visitors can see the original working winery, explore the estate’s other historic buildings and take a glass of wine over to the Fleurieu Arthouse: a gallery, studio, design store, café and event space on the Hardys Tintara grounds. 

Wine to try: Eileen Hardy 2016 Shiraz

Cellar door: Guests taste five super-premium wines on the 45-minute Icons and Cellar Collectors Flight. On a Hardys Hidden Secrets tour of the grounds, visitors learn about Thomas Hardy and his wife Eileen Hardy followed by tasting of four wines, a fortified wine and locally made snacks.

202 Main Road, McLaren Vale; (08) 8329 4124

Forty years ago, there were three family-owned vineyards in Main Ridge on the Mornington Peninsula, each about 10 minutes from the others by tractor. Now, the growing number of vineyards produce some of the region’s best pinot noir and chardonnay, plus a sleek, sophisticated cellar door and a two-hatted restaurant where a tasting menu for five elegant courses (with matched wines) is an excellent way to get the lay of the land.

Wine to try: 2021 McCutcheon Pinot Noir 

Cellar door: To learn about the wine and dining experience, book The Art of Fine Wine & Gastronomy. A behind-the-scenes tour that illustrates the philosophy underpinning the winery’s every action, it includes a vineyard tour, tasting experience, cellar discovery and a five-course lunch with matched back-vintage wines.

1333 Mornington-Flinders Road, Main Ridge; (03) 5989 6080

A collective of eight small-batch Barossa winemakers, the Artisans are John Duval Wines, Spinifex Wines, Sons of Eden, Lienert Vineyards, Schwarz Wine Co., Purple Hands Wines, Hobbs of Barossa Ranges and Chaffey Bros. Wine Co. The cellar-door experience offers more than 100 wines to try as well as Essen restaurant, where lunch is served – think crispy sardines with miso and leek, and cured line-caught nannygai with muntries and finger lime. 

Wine to try: Sons of Eden 2016 Autumnus Shiraz

Cellar door: Book a 45-minute tasting of six wines or, for a more in-depth tasting experience, book the Grenache Project where visitors explore these varieties as expressed by different winemakers using grapes from the same Barossa vineyard. This one-of-a-kind masterclass examines the artistry of small-batch winemakers and how their expertise shapes the wine produced by the Barossa’s most famous grape varieties. The experience includes a six-bottle collection of the wines to take home for your own tasting session.

24 Vine Vale Road, Tanunda, South Australia; (08) 8563 3935

Josef Chromy is one of the few wineries on the Apple Isle that grows and bottles its grapes on the premises. At the on-site restaurant you can soak up the vino with dishes such as pinot-poached beetroot and grass-fed beef carpaccio, making this a great one-stop food and wine experience.

Wine to try: The 2017 pinot noir.

Cellar door: Bookings are required for a four-glass wine flight. Alternatively, try The Art of Sparkling Experience to learn how its méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine is made, including a two-course lunch with matched wines and complimentary tasting. 

370 Relbia Road, Relbia; (03) 6335 8700

The family behind St Hugo have been in the wine business since 1847 but in 2021 the best way to experience their grapes is at the St Hugo restaurant, where wines are expertly paired with a seasonal tasting menu. Alternatively, explore the connection between food and wine with a seat at the Chef’s Table: stroll through the kitchen garden to select fresh produce for your feast and then help prepare it under the guidance of the St Hugo chef.

Wine to try: A shiraz or cabernet sauvignon from the Private Collection sold exclusively at the St Hugo property.

Cellar door: The St Hugo Riedel Masterclass with Lunch offers the chance to learn which glass shape suits which varietal, and includes a four-course lunch and two glasses of your favourite St Hugo wines.

2141 Barossa Valley Way, Rowland Flat; (08) 8115 9200

An extensive range of wines and the on-site restaurant offering fresh local produce make Jacob’s Creek a great place to spend an afternoon. But it’s the grounds of this Barossa Valley winery that really sell it – visitors can set off on a bike ride between the vineyards or spot wildlife during a walk along the banks of that famous creek. They're the ideal spot to enjoy a picnic prepared by the team, including gourmet local snacks, a bottle of wine and a picnic blanket to keep. 

Wine to try: A Limited Release wine exclusively sold at the cellar door.

Cellar door: Join the Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Experience to discover the process of double barrel maturation and enjoy three wines.

Barossa Valley Way, Rowland Flat; (08) 8521 3000

The oldest family-owned vineyard in Victoria, Tahbilk Winery has been family-run for five generations and retains its original underground cellars from 1860. With the winery set close to the Goulburn River and surrounded by walking tracks, you can easily extend a visit here into a full-day affair. You can even take part in a Secret Art experience to blend your own 750ml bottle to take home.

Wine to try: The Marsanne 2018 or Museum Release Marsanne 2012.

Cellar door: Experience everything Tahbilk has to offer on A Day at Tahbilk which includes a winery tour, wine blending class and wetlands ecology tour.

254 O'Neils Road, Tabilk; (03) 5794 2555

Mandoon Estate serves up more than just boutique wine. The Swan Valley winery is also home to a microbrewery, the fine dining restaurant Wild Swan, a gourmet deli and the Linton & Kay Art Gallery, where you can view work from a selection of established and emerging artists in the property’s original homestead.

Wine to try: The 2012 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon or the 2011 Reserve Shiraz.

Cellar door: Discover the Swan Valley’s Indigenous heritage on a Bush Tucker Tasting with Dale Tilbrook Experiences where you’ll sample some traditional bush foods and listen to stories from decades past.

10 Harris Road, Caversham; (08) 6279 0500

Enjoy a bottle over share plates at Montalto's relaxed piazza café, sit down for a meal at the Montalto Restaurant or join a 'Behind the Scenes Winery Tour' to deepen your knowledge of how variety and region play a role in the winemaking process before enjoying a tasting and light lunch.

Wine to try: The pinot noir or chardonnay.

Cellar door: For a true gourmet indulgence, book an Estate to Plate experience and witness Montalto’s “estate to plate” philosophy in action.

33 Shoreham Road, Red Hill South; (03) 5989 8417

Established in 1967, Vasse Felix is Margaret River’s founding wine estate. The legendary vineyard is home to a refined wine lounge, art gallery, fine-dining restaurant and ‘The Vault’, a dedicated wine museum where you can view historical vintages including the last remaining bottle of the winery’s 1972 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wine to try: The Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon, the first red wine produced in Margaret River.

Cellar door: The Epicurean Tour is the ultimate vine-to-table tour for the gourmet adventurer with a private tasting and 5 course degustation lunch.

Cnr Tom Cullity Drive Caves Road, Cowaramup, Margaret River; (08) 9756 5000

Brown Brothers boasts one of the largest selections of wine varieties in Australia, a range that spans crowd-pleasers such as moscato as well as traditional drops like shiraz. Sample them over a cheese platter at the wine bar or take a tour of the winery to learn more about the label, which has been family owned since 1889.

Wine to try: Prosecco (try the range paired with sweets, pastries, Milawa cheese and fruits).

Cellar door: Take a Food and Wine Adventure where you’ll join the chefs in the kitchen garden and help gather fresh produce for your custom lunch menu, expertly paired with Brown Brothers wine.

239 Milawa Bobinawarrah Road, Milawa; (03) 5720 5500

Established in 1849, Yalumba is Australia’s most historic family-owned winery. Visit on a weekday to take a self-guided tour of the cooperage – it's the only winery in Australia that crafts its own oak barrels on site – or book a Cooperage Tour for a more detailed exploration with bonus tastings.

Wine to try: The 2016 Signature Cabernet Shiraz.

Cellar door: Explore ancient Grenache vines and savour a tasting amidst the vines on a Nursery and Grenache Tour before enjoying a Cooper's Lunch Platter paired with your favourite glass of Grenache.

10 Eden Valley Road, Angaston; (08) 8561 3309

The history of Seppeltsfield dates back to 1851, just 15 years after the European settlement of South Australia. You can explore the estate’s historic buildings on daily heritage tours and enjoy modern touches like a meal at Fino, Seppelstfield’s destination dining experience. It's the only winery in the world to release a 100-year-old, single vintage wine each year, as well as offer the opportunity for you to sample a Tawny from your birth year on a Taste Your Birth Year Tour.

Wine to try: The 1919 Para Vintage Tawny from the Centennial Collection.

Cellar door: Immerse yourself in the captivating history of the Seppeltsfield estate on a Great Terraced Vineyard tour and explore the iconic 1888 Gravity Flow Winery, followed by a tasting of the Yalumba’s esteemed red wine collection.

730 Seppeltsfield Road, Seppeltsfield; (08) 85686217

Perched atop a foothill in the Brokenback Mountain Ranges, Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard offers panoramic views of the Hunter Valley. Your visiting options range from a short and sweet half-hour tasting through to a 'Picnic Among the Vines' self-guided museum tour, premium tasting with the in-house expert and a complete picnic lunch.

Wine to try: The 2018 Hunter Valley Semillon.

Cellar door: For wine and food aficionados, embark on a Fortified and Fromage adventure with a seated tasting featuring premium wines, exclusive barrel tastings of fortified wines, and exquisite pairings with local artisanal Fromage.

750 De Beyers Road, Pokolbin; (02) 4993 3600

De Bortoli has been in the family for three generations, with a history that dates back to 1928. The Yarra Valley estate comprises 240 hectares of vines and produces some of the region’s best-loved chardonnays and rieslings, as well as lesser-known varieties such as nebbiolo and gamay. There’s also the option of dining at the on-site Italian restaurant, Locale.

Wine to try: Vinoque Nebbiolo Rosé.

Cellar door: Don’t miss an Ultimate Behind the Scenes & Wine Blending experience where you’ll taste wines straight from barrels and tanks followed by the hands-on thrill of becoming a winemaker at the Blending Table, crafting your own personalised blend to bottle. 

58 Pinnacle Lane, Dixons Creek; (03) 5965 2271

Immerse yourself in the 175-year history of one of Australia’s most revered wine brands. Penfolds' Magill Estate in Adelaide features the original vineyard, winery and cellars, as well as a sleek cellar door with private tasting rooms and two restaurants where Grange can be enjoyed by the glass.

Wine to try: The 2016 Barossa Valley Shiraz Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cellar door: A variety of premium tasting experiences are available at both locations, including the Penfolds Iconic Experience, where you can explore the cottage, cellar and underground drives before a three-course lunch with matched wines.

78 Penfold Road, Magill; (08) 8301 5569

You can simply sip the work of this five-star winery or dive into the VIP soil-to-cellar experience that matches meals with its leading bottles; both casual and memorable afternoons are catered for at Brokenwood. There's also a stellar outdoor terrace that capitalises on the beauty of the Hunter, as well as two on-site eateries serving the perfect accompaniments to your tastings. 

Wine to try: The Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz. 

Cellar door: Over 1400 square metres, it's the largest in the area, with several tasting options available including an option to try six wines plus seasonal canapes. Alternatively, take The Brokenwood Journey for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour and taste, before sampling pre-release Brokenwood wine straight from the barrel.

401-427 McDonald's Road, Pokolbin; (02) 4998 7559

David Walsh doesn’t just do art. Mona’s creator also owns Moorilla, the Derwent Valley winery that creates small-batch, cool-climate wines. The cellar door is next door to Tasmania’s famously provocative art gallery, meaning you can quaff Pinot beneath John Olsen work The Source. Visitors can also tour Moorilla’s southern vineyard and taste wine straight from the tank on the property’s winery tours.

Wine to try: The 2007 Cloth Label Late Disgorged Sparkling.

Cellar door: Join an immersive wine adventure with Moorilla Decanted, starting with a private vineyard stroll led by a wine expert before heading to the underground wine bunker for a comprehensive tasting of the acclaimed Moorilla range, all poured into fancy crystal glassware.

655 Main Road, Berriedale; (03) 6277 9960

Family-owned Leeuwin Estate is one of the five founding wineries of the Margaret River region. The label now exports to more than 30 countries, while touches like its celebrated restaurant, summertime concerts and private airstrip make a visit here a premium experience. Don’t miss the estate’s art gallery, which houses more than 100 paintings from contemporary Australian artists that were commissioned to feature on Leeuwin’s ‘Art Series’ wine labels, best viewed on a Leeuwin Art & Wine Pairing which includes a gallery tour and food tasting flight.

Wine to try: The 2015 Art Series Chardonnay.

Cellar door: Experience a decadent immersion into the world of fine wine, food, and art on a Triple Celebration, featuring morning tea, guided art gallery tour, tutored wine tasting, and a seven-course tasting menu paired with Leeuwin Estate Art Series wines.

Stevens Road, Margaret River; (08) 9459 0000

Gemtree Wines is dedicated to making wine the sustainable way. Husband and wife team Mike and Melissa Brown work together to grow grapes with minimal intervention, using an environmentally conscious farming system. Free from herbicides and pesticides, the wines are certified organic and biodynamic – a process you can learn about on the Being Biodynamic Tour while sipping wine and enjoying a platter of regional goodies.

Wine to try: The 2016 Obsidian Shiraz.

Cellar door: On a Wine and Wander experience, indulge in a private tasting before heading out along the scenic Gemtree Eco Trail to a secluded location where you’ll enjoy an epicurean lunch nestled amongst the gum trees.

167 Elliott Road McLaren Flat; (08) 8383 0802

Go beyond the cellar door at Voyager Estate with one of the family-owned winery’s tour and tasting experiences, including a seven-course discovery lunch. You can also take a tour that focuses on one of the Margaret River's two famed varietals, the chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon, and learn more about how the estate is converting to organic production methods.

Wine to try: A limited release wine from the Project collection, such as the 2015 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc.

Cellar door: The Estate Tour & Cheese Board tasting provides you with an insight into the complete wine-making process, from the vineyard soils to the oak barrels.

41 Stevens Road, Margaret River; (08) 9757 6354

It might be in Victoria’s King Valley but there’s a touch of the Mediterranean to Pizzini. This family-owned winery wears its Italian heritage on its sleeve by staging cooking classes alongside the cellar door, where guests learn how to make fresh pasta, gnocchi or risotto during an A Tavola! Cooking School experience. Pizzini specialise in Italian varietals such as prosecco, pinot grigio, sangiovese and nebbiolo.

Wine to try: The 2004 Coronamento Nebbiolo.

Cellar door: Experience a rare opportunity to taste aged Italian wine varieties alongside their current releases on a King Valley Experienza and uncover the Pizzini family's winemaking journey in the King Valley.

175 King Valley Road, Whitfield; (03) 5729 8278

d’Arenberg is one of the only wineries in Australia to basket-press both its white and red wines. It’s a labour intensive process – small batches of grapes are gently crushed, then transferred to fermenters – but it ensures only the best fruit makes it through. All its vineyards are certified organic and biodynamic and while that winemaking approach might be new, the legacy is old – the family-owned winery has a history that dates back to 1912.

Wine to try: A 2012 Single Vineyard Shiraz.

Cellar door: Unleash your inner winemaker at The Blending Bench, an interactive and hands-on experience where you can craft your own wine.

58 Osborn Road, McLaren Vale; (08) 8329 4888

The Sunshine State might not spring to mind as a wine destination but the team at Sirromet has been challenging that perception with their experimental, quality wines for the past two decades. The winery and cellar door are located in Mount Cotton, approximately 45 minutes south of Brisbane, where you will also find a fine dining restaurant, relaxed al fresco fare at the Tuscan Terrace and luxury glamping accommodation at Sanctuary by Sirromet, all set against breathtaking natural scenery overlooking Moreton Bay. Witness the full scale of the winery’s operation, and enjoy a tasting, on a Behind the Scenes Winery Tour and Eataly Discovery tour.

Wine to try: 2013 Le Sauvage Chardonnay.

Cellar door: Book an Ultimate Winery Escape and enjoy a two-night stay in a luxurious Premium Pavilion, surrounded by native trees, a behind-the-scenes winery tour, tutored wine tasting, Tuscan-inspired dining experience, and a delightful picnic hamper for two to enhance your tranquil getaway.

850-938 Mount Cotton Road, Mount Cotton; (07) 3206 2999

Hunter Valley icon Tyrrell’s has been family owned since 1858, now headed up by fourth-generation family member Bruce Tyrrell, and since 1971 has been awarded more than 5000 trophies and medals. Discover the century and a half of winemaking experience on a Sacred Sites tour, that takes you past the original iron bark hut Edward Tyrrell lived in and the 100-year-old dry-grown vineyards.

Wine to try: 2015 Vat 1 Semillon.

Cellar door: Take an exciting exploration of the legendary Winemaker's Selection Vat 1 Semillon through a vertical tasting, accompanied by a winery tour and locally sourced cheeses.

1838 Broke Road, Pokolbin

You’ll feel transported to the South of France at this Yarra Valley winery founded in 2000 by Bordeaux-born Dominique Portet. The European influence is evident in the refined cool-climate wines, the design of its elegant cellar door and the French bistro menu by head chef David Ball. “The Yarra has a charm, a beauty that engulfs you. The wines are worldly," Portet says of his Australian home.

Wine to try: 2018 Dominique Portet Cabernet Sauvignon

Cellar door: Discover 10 generations of winemaking heritage on the Estate Tour & Tasting, which includes sampling five wines.

870 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream

23 Wineries Where You Can Stay the Night