10 Best Vineyards In Australia To Visit

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, wine is good enough reason to travel! This is certainly the case when it comes to travelling down under. Yeah, there’s a shed load of incredible places in Australia to visit but there’s a whole heap of tasty spots to visit, too. This is no more true than with all the best vineyards in Australia that are dotted all across the country.

The search for wine, of course, can take you all across the globe, that’s for sure. Though, certain places just stand out for their amazing wines.

Australian wines are pretty much world-renowned, so it was only a matter of time before your search for the best vineyards took you here.

That being said, with a whopping sixty designated wine areas across Australia, it can be difficult to just whittle down a handful of the best vineyards in Australia to visit on your trip.

So, to help you on your merry way, I wanted to share some of my very favourite and best vineyards in Australia that you should consider popping into.

With that in mind, take a look at the best vineyards in Australia. Have the best trip; just save a glass for me!

1.) De Bortoli: Yarra Valley, Victoria

De Bortoli is one of the largest and oldest of over 80 vineyards in the Yarra Valley. Now, the Italian owned estate was purchased way back in 1987 and has grown to a size of nearly 600 acres (240 hectares).

Today, you can take a behind-the-scenes tour of the vineyard and winery, tasting the maturing wines from the barrels, and ending with gourmet cheese and wine meal in the Trophy Room. Yum!

Their specialty is the ‘Noble One’ dessert wine! Now, I’m a sucker for this stuff; my sweet tooth means that dessert wine is my favourite kind of wine. This is rivalled only by my pretentious snob-tooth which like to pretend like champagne is my favourite.

Oh, and don’t forget, the Yarra Valley is known for its pinot noir, sparkling wines, and cool-climate wines.

Plus, De Bortoli is located just northeast of Melbourne and worth planning a visit if you’re gonna be around the area. It really is one of the best vineyards in Australia to visit.

2.) Vasse Felix: Margaret River, Western Australia

The region of Margaret River is located three hours south of Perth and home to over 120 wine producers.

Here, you can expect varieties from; Cabernet, sauvignon, chardonnay, semillion, sauvignon blanc, merlot, and shiraz wines which are all specialties in the region.

Now, Vases Felix began in 1965, when Dr Thomas Cullity tried experimenting with planting grapes in Australia. Thank goodness he did!

Around the same time, a study was published saying South Western Australia had a climate and soil similar to that of Bordeaux (whoever did that study – thank you!). This inspired Cullity to continue growing his grapevines, and his first wine was produced by 1972.

Behind-the-scenes tours are available at Vasse Felix, as well as private wine tastings. If you visit, you can learn how to pair foods and wines (I’ve never fully understood) while exploring their; art gallery, gardens and sculpture walk, too.

3.) Jacobs Creek: Barossa Valley, South Australia

In 1842, the first European immigrants to the Barossa Valley arrived, and within a short time, 150 wineries and vineyards emerged in Australia.

Located northeast of Adelaide, Jacobs Creek was the first commercial vineyard to open in the Barossa Valley and it’s been running ever since.

Here, the team offer a heap of tasty food and wine master-classes which are yummy to join. Also, you can picnic in the vineyards and cycle through the Barossa Valley area, which is so stunning. It really is one of the best vineyards in Australia.

4.) Penfolds Magill Estate: Adelaide Hills, South Australia

This vineyard and winery, which was established in 1844, is unique in that it is one of a few urban vineyards in Australia.

Located just shy of Adelaide, the Penfolds Magill Estate is known for its Grange wine, which is supposedly the greatest wine in Australia.

The estate has a heap of places to explore, too. With their; underground tunnels, a cottage, and bluestone cellars, as well as a premium wine collection and award-winning restaurant to boot!

5.) d’Arenberg: McLaren Vale, South Australia

For traditional wine-making practices, you’ll want to visit d’Arenberg in South Australia’s McLaren Vale region.

Home to some of the oldest grapevines in the world, McLaren Vale’s 65 wineries specialize in Shiraz wine thanks to its Mediterranean-like climate.

You see, d’Arenberg, uses traditional processes for creating its wine, including the use of small batches, basket-pressed grapes and foot-treading.

Along with the stellar d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant, you can try The Blending Bench, where you’ll blend their own wine and name it, too.

6.) Audrey Wilkinson: Hunter Valley, New South Wales

Established in 1866, Audrey Wilkinson vineyards specializes in handmade wines that are so tasty. The Hunter Valley region has the oldest vineyards in Australia, dating back to the 1820s and is easily one of the best vineyards in Australia to visit.

Audrey Wilkinson’s beautiful vineyards are located on the foothills of the Brokenback Mountain range and its cellar door is located at the top of one of these foothills.

While enjoying the vineyard, you can stay in one of the two cottages available: Mulberry Cottage and The Dairy. It’s so picturesque.

7.) Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove: Mornington Peninsula, Victoria

Mornington Peninsula, located just south of Melbourne, has over 200 vineyards in total! With, Montalto is one such vineyard with an accompanying olive grove.

Known for its beautiful architecture and intimate cellar door, the picturesque grounds of Montalto are home to a restaurant, cafe, sculpture walk, and wetlands. It really is a stunner of a place and one of the best vineyards in Australia.

Once here, you can choose from three amazing tour options. The “Golf” package includes 18 holes of golf followed by a culinary feast at the vineyard. The “Estate-to-Plate” option gives a full tour of the grounds, as well as a fantastic meal. And the third option, “Behind-the-Scenes” tour includes a tour of the winery, followed by a three-course lunch and matching wines. Yum!

8.) Sevenhill Cellars: Clare Valley, South Australia

A Jesuit monastery from 1851, Clare Valley is the home of one of the most beautiful and best vineyards in Australia.

Self-guided tours, as well as staff-guided tours, are available at Sevenhills and it’s well worth a visit if you’re in the area.

Initially, the monastery only made altar wine but later began making popular wines for the wider population too. This all went down very well indeed!

Clare Valley is now known for its Riesling wine, and over forty wineries to visit.

9.) Lancaster Wines: Swan Valley, Western Australia

Just 20 minutes from the centre of Perth, you can find the famous outdoor tasting shed and bar of Lancaster Wines that is great to visit.

Located on the banks of the Swan River, Lancaster Wines is part of the Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail, a 20 mile (32km) loop that visitors can drive. Though as with all wine tours, have a designated driver!

The area, which was first settled by Croatian and Italian immigrants in the 1920s. Whilst, nowadays, it has become known for its verdelho, chenin blanc, chardonnay, shiraz and cabernet wines.

10.) Josef Chromy: Tasmania

This award-winning vineyard is located in Relbia, are easily some of the best vineyards in Australia.

Perched on Tasmania Island, it’s home to cool-climate grapes and vineyards that are great to visit.

Pinot noir, chardonnay, riesling and sauvignon blanc are definite specialties here. Though, saying that, sparkling wines are particularly popular across all of Tasmania.