Grove Estate Wines, YoungCredit: Destination NSW
The Hilltops is a wine region to watch; it’s home to Grove Estate and other vineyards.
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The appealing Hilltops region in southwestern New South Wales includes the handsome country towns of Young, Jugiong, Harden and Boorowa. It’s renowned for its cherries (and cherry pies), cool-climate wines, quirky events and beautiful countryside. Spend quality time in these towns and you’ll discover great cellar doors, quality restaurants, local produce, excellent cafés and more.
Explore cellar doors and distilleries
The first grapes in the Hilltops area were planted during the gold rush, in the 1860s, but it’s only recently that this district started gaining recognition. Wine critic James Halliday has described the Hilltops precinct as one of the “most significant emerging cool-climate wine regions in Australia”.
Start your visit by taste-testing signature Hilltops varietals (such as shiraz, semillon and chardonnay) at Chalker’s Crossing in Young. Its French-born winemaker Celine Rousseau has been tending to the grapes since the vineyard’s first vintage in 2000.
Then head to the Hilltops Region Wine Cellar, hosted at the Young Visitor Information Centre. Step inside the historic Young Railway Station building and you’ll notice the largest selection of Hilltops wines in one convenient spot. Look out for special-event tastings and you can pick up some cherry wines, too.
For hand-crafted Australian spirits and other alcoholic beverages made with local ingredients, visit Bluestill Distillery in Young. Located on the site of a former jam factory, this venue produces cherry gin, butterscotch liqueur, honey bourbon and more. It also sells local condiments and hosts a gallery that exhibits local talent – so wander through.
Next you might like to visit Grove Estate, a 10-minute drive outside Young, where you can sample up to 15 wines while enjoying gourmet platters and the vineyard’s views. The winery was recently ranked the best large cellar door in the region by Gourmet Traveller Wine.
Or discover the nebbiolo and shiraz range Trandari Wines has cultivated in the historic town of Murringo, a 20-minute drive from Young. The vineyard hosts weekend tastings at its cellar door across the road, at the Taubman and Webb Trading Post.
Grove Estate Wines, Young Credit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over the scenic grounds of Grove Estate Wines, Young.
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Grove Estate Wines, Young Credit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over the scenic grounds of Grove Estate Wines, Young.
Wilders Bakery, Young Credit: Destination NSW
Street view of Wilders Bakery in Young.
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Wilders Bakery, Young Credit: Destination NSW
Street view of Wilders Bakery in Young.
Graze at local cafés and restaurants
Young boasts a plethora of great cafes serving top-quality coffee, like Art of Espresso. This coffee shop has won countless awards for its well-roasted beans, but it’s also a well-loved venue. Its stage has hosted many top musicians, such as Tim Rogers, Adalita and Deborah Conway.
S&AJ is another brilliant coffee stop: the cafe roasts its own blend on site, and only uses free-range meat and local market produce on its menu. Expect Moroccan chicken with black rice tabouleh, braised pork belly with garlic sautéed beans, and Oreo and Nutella waffles with salted walnut crumble.
Wilders Bakery is a much-loved institution: it’s been open since 1950 and the signature attraction is its award-winning cherry pie. But there are other pastries worth savouring (rainbow-coloured meringue anyone?) as well as brunch items, such as bacon and eggs on Turkish bread and sweet potato stacks.
When in Booroowa, don’t miss the monthly local Makers & Growers Community Market at the Old Court House grounds. Grab a sausage sandwich and browse the stalls for hyper-local food products.
For more gourmet souvenirs, drop into Long Track Pantry, a country food store and cafe in Jugiong. It sells hand-made blood orange and gin marmalade, pear and ginger chutney and other enticing condiments. You’ll also want to visit its Lickety Splits gelato bar, and grab a cone filled with its pavlova flavour. Keep an eye out on the cooking classes program, too.
If you’re in the Yass area, look out for Clementine Bakery’s small-batch pastries. Pick up spinach, ricotta and Parmesan rolls, strawberry cream and raspberry choux buns and a loaf of olive, buckwheat and orange sourdough.
Located in a beautifully restored former tavern from 1852 in Jugiong, The Sir George is an excellent stop for coffee, cake or lunch in the restaurant. There’s also a boutique bar serving cold beers and an artisan bakery producing slow-fermented loaves of bread. You’ll want to make room for the sourdough doughnuts. After a longer stay? Choose from the luxurious rooms in the restored Stone Stables, or enjoy the modern, eco-friendly touch within one of the venue’s Black Barns.
Experience the region’s unique events
Given Young’s cherry-growing reputation, it’s no surprise that the town celebrates the stone fruit with its yearly National Cherry Festival. It’s held every December, with key events including a cherry pie-eating contest, cherry pip spit competition, street parade and more. Bring your appetite for the big breakfast at the start of the day.
If you don’t make it to the festival, you can always pick your own cherries at Ballinaclash Fruit and Wine’s orchard when the fruit is in season (that’s November to December). While you’re there, grab some goodies from the farm gate, such as cherry pies, ice blocks, jam and ice-cream, or check out the wines available from its cellar door.
Another date to save in your diary: the Long Lazy Lunch held under flowering cherry blossoms in Young. It’s scheduled for September, when the trees are in bloom. Another good reason to sit down in an orchard setting, accompanied by long tables filled with food, wine and cherry juice? This event is partly a fundraiser for the National Cherry Festival held later in the year.
Ballinaclash Food and Wine, Young Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a day of cherry picking at Ballinaclash Food and Wine, Young
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Ballinaclash Food and Wine, Young Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a day of cherry picking at Ballinaclash Food and Wine, Young
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Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, CorowaCredit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a visit to Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, Corowa.
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Feast on the riches of one of Australia’s most important food bowls on a road trip through the Murray, named after the mighty river that flows through this southwest area of New South Wales. Float down the river on a historic paddlesteamer wine cruise, stop by farm gates to sample incredible fresh produce, and dine at chic restaurants and bars in this unique culinary playground.
Take the back roads for gourmet treats
Head off the beaten path along The Backroads Trail, a 250km driving route that passes through the small pastoral towns of Barham, Moama, Mathoura and Deniliquin on the upper reaches of the Murray River. Sink your teeth into fresh olives, avocados, free-range pork, honey and citrus fruit from farm gates along its loops and trails, and taste the region’s wines at vineyards such as Restdown Wines. While you’re at this winery, venture out along the Restdown Wetland Walk to encounter Aboriginal cooking hearths and an old sheep camp.
Cruise along to The Old School Winery & Meadery in Womboota to pick up wine, pottery and honey mead. Or seek out Ivy Joyce in Barham to indulge in a warm space, offering local produce from farms for a truly paddock to plate experience in the heart of Murray River country. For more snacks and meaty fare such as British-style pork pies and sausages, head to Pacdon Park’s factory shop in Moama.
You can work up an appetite as you build your own itinerary on the theme of food, paddocks and produce, and find suggested routes and maps to Murray River farm gates, at the Echuca Moama Visitor Centre.
Wine and dine along the river
Embark on a wine tour by water in Moama, where the first steamboats made their way up the Murray in 1853. Take a Murray River Paddlesteamers Wharf to Winery Cruise from the town to Morrisons Riverview Winery for a leisurely lunch. Or drive along the river, stopping in at Three Black Sheep for risotto and woodfired pizzas, and tasting crisp dry whites and full-flavoured reds at St Anne’s Vineyards, where you can nibble on a cheese platter overlooking a scenic lake.
Head east along the riverside roads to rest and recharge in the town of Tocumwal, known for its riverside beaches, golf courses, glider flying and iconic Big Murray Cod statue. Start the following day with a solid foundation of breakfast pizza (topped with bacon, eggs and a hash brown) at The Old Bank and indulge in a scoop of ice-cream or sorbet from Tocumwal Ice Creamery – flavours include rocky road, green apple or macadamia. If you’re in town on a Saturday, pick up honey, fruit, vegetables, olive oil, dressings and other condiments made by local producers at the Tocumwal Foreshore Markets.
Continue your odyssey along the river to Corowa, the birthplace of Australian Federation. Immerse in the town’s rich turn-of-the-20th-century colonial heritage as you make your way to the former 1920s flour mill housing Corowa Distilling Co. Here you can book a whisky tasting and behind-the-scenes tour and buy locally made chocolates and sweets from sister shop Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory. Work off an indulgent afternoon with a walk along the river before settling into the stylish Circa 1936 hotel, which is housed in an Art Deco former bank on the main street of Corowa.
Celebrate regional ingredients in Albury
From Corowa, follow the Riverina Highway eastward to the city of Albury, a food, wine and culture hub. Taste how seasonality and locality are expressed at The Proprietor, a former butcher shop turned cafe offering brunch treats such as fruit toast with Beechworth honey and whipped ricotta, and banana waffles with Gundowring vanilla ice-cream. Or try the all-day breakfast offering at Mr Benedict, from cheesy bacon waffle with popcorn chicken to one of its signature eggs benedicts, including one with cider-braised ham hock.
At The River Deck restaurant, local ingredients are celebrated alongside stunning river views, and dishes may include chicken Caesar salad with Milawa eggs or beef brisket braised in coffee by Albury roaster The Brothers Cup. At tiny and elegant Bistro Selle, complement warm Gooramadda olives with a buttery Australian chardonnay and fresh market fish. Yardbird offers a bold-flavoured menu featuring dishes like scorched Albacore tuna, along with meats grilled in a Spanish woodfired oven.
In between meals, stroll along the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk and take in the contemporary artworks by Aboriginal artists that line the Wagirra Trail. Meander through the Murray Art Museum Albury’s contemporary photographic collection, Aboriginal art and works by renowned Australian artist Sir Russell Drysdale. Afterwards, order lunch or dinner at the museum’s excellent Canvas Eatery – try the saltbush lamb rump or one of their Neapolitan-style pizzas.
The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota Credit: Destination NSW
Couple taste tasting mead at The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota
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The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota Credit: Destination NSW
Couple taste tasting mead at The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota
Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available from Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama.
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Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available from Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama.
Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, Corowa Credit: Destination NSW
Corowa Whisky & Chocolate located in a 1920âs old flour mill in Corowa.
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Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, Corowa Credit: Destination NSW
Corowa Whisky & Chocolate located in a 1920âs old flour mill in Corowa.
Canvas Eatery, Albury Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available at Canvas Eatery in Albury.
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Canvas Eatery, Albury Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available at Canvas Eatery in Albury.