Coolangatta Estate, Shoalhaven HeadsCredit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over the scenic grounds of Coolangatta Estate, Shoalhaven Heads.
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From sampling semillon in the Hunter Valley to trying cool-climate wines in the Riverina region and exploring the Mudgee and Orange regions west of the Blue Mountains, there are incredible wineries to visit across New South Wales.
Start your wine journey in Sydney
You’ll find a cellar doors within a 15-minute drive of Sydney city centre. Enjoy a hands-on winemaking experience at Urban Winery, at Moore Park, where you can help plunge the grapes and taste straight from the barrel. And at Handpicked Wines Cellar Door, in Chippendale on the fringe of the city centre, you’ll find the acclaimed Handpicked range plus a sensory bar and cheese platters.
The Sydney Cellar Door returns as the highlight of NSW Wine Month with a two-day celebration of New South Wales' finest wines from 9-10 November 2024 in The Rocks. The event will showcase the diversity and quality of wines from across the state's regions. NSW Wine Month will feature a range of events, masterclasses, and venue promotions throughout Sydney throughout November.
Immerse yourself in the Hunter Valley
Not only can the oldest vineyards can be found in NSW’s best-known winemaking region, the Hunter Valley, a two-hour drive north of Sydney, but some of the state’s newest cellar doors, too. On Broke Road, in the centre of the Hunter wine trail, call in on Vamp by Lisa McGuigan, a renowned fourth-generation winemaker. Just around the corner, Brokenwood Wines opened a stunning cellar door at the end of 2018. Others to tick off include Piggs Peake, with a great restaurant and edgy atmosphere; Audrey Wilkinson, for a vineyard picnic; and Usher Tinkler Wines, in a restored church.
Relax on the Shoalhaven Coast
The Shoalhaven Coast wine region, just over two hours’ drive south of Sydney, offers a blend of pristine beaches and hinterland wineries. Visit the Coolangatta Estate Winery, where you can stay in convict-built cottages. Crooked River Wines and Roselea Vineyard are close to the beaches of Gerringong. A special place for lunch is Cupitt’s Estate, near Milton. And on the way home, visit Two Figs Winery, which has a sunlit tasting space with breathtaking views.
Go with the flow on the Hastings River
From its source high in the wilderness to its mouth near Port Macquarie, a four-hour drive north of Sydney, the Hastings River runs through a glorious valley, home to a cluster of boutique wineries. Expect bold whites and earthy reds. At Bago Maze and Winery, wander through the native lilly pilly hedge maze, then settle in for a picnic with a cheese grazing platter. Douglas Vale Historic Homestead has a storied past dating back to 1859 and produces varietals such as villard blanc and chambourcin.
Embrace organic in Cowra and Canowindra
Cowra, a four-hour drive west of Sydney, is a thriving hub with an up-and-coming wine region and a gorgeous Japanese garden. Canowindra is renowned for organic wines, such as those produced by Rosnay Organic Wines, which also has olive and fig orchards. Also in Canowindra is Wallington Wines, a smaller, biodynamic vineyard with a straw bale cellar door, and Windowrie, which produces the award-winning Pig in the House range. Cowra’s Quarry Cellar Door offers tastings of many of the region’s best wines, some of which don’t have their own cellar doors.
Brokenwood Wines, Pokolbin Credit: Destination NSW
Exterior view of Brokenwood Wines in Pokolbin.
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Brokenwood Wines, Pokolbin Credit: Destination NSW
Exterior view of Brokenwood Wines in Pokolbin.
Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Autumn at Bendooley Estate, Berrima.
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Bendooley Estate, Berrima Credit: Destination NSW
Autumn at Bendooley Estate, Berrima.
Soak up the country charm in Mudgee
Excellent restaurants, colonial architecture, and a convivial atmosphere make for an unforgettable time in Mudgee, a 3.5-hour drive northwest of Sydney. You can find more than 35 cellar doors showcasing more then 40 varietals. Logan Wines has a striking glass tasting room overlooking the vineyard. At biodynamic Lowe Wines, buy some local produce on site and enjoy wine and a platter on the lawn. Other top wineries include First Ridge, Moothi Estate and Bunamagoo Estate Wines. On the grounds of the Robert Stein Winery you’ll find Pipeclay Pumphouse, which specialises in paddock-to-plate dining.
Reconnect with nature in Orange
With its high altitude and volcanic soils, the food and wine region of Orange, a 3.5-hour drive north-west of Sydney, produces crisp chardonnay and citrus-edged sparkling wines. One of the oldest wineries is Philip Shaw, where you can order a bottle of The Conductor Merlot and sit by the fire, or sample The Architect Chardonnay with cheese and olives outside in the sunshine. If sparkling wine is your favourite tipple, Printhie Wines is a must-visit, their Swift sparkling is known as one of Australia's best. Nearby, Nashdale Lane Wines offers exceptional wines including pinot noirs and rieslings, as well as glamping tents so after your tasting you can stroll over to your tent and spend the night stargazing.
Get to know Griffith
Griffith, in the Riverina region, a six-hour drive southwest of Sydney, has a strong food and wine culture. The De Bortoli family has been producing wine at Bilbul, just outside Griffith, since 1928. Visit the cellar door and enjoy a bottle of wine under a pergola in the garden. Calabria Family Wines also has a long history here, and a Tuscan-style cellar door in Griffith. Yarran Wines is a smaller winery producing shiraz, chardonnay and more. You can sample a selection of Griffith’s best food and wine on a bespoke outing with Bella Vita Riverina Tours.
Savour the Southern Highlands
Explore the Southern Highlands, a 90-minute drive southwest of Sydney, for long lunches, hearty red wines and famous flower gardens. You can even cycle between vineyards. Peppergreen Estate has a lovely cellar door in a former antiques store in Berrima, where you’ll also find Bendooley Estate, a magnificent property with luxurious cottages, a restaurant and a grand cellar door. Centennial Vineyards, in Bowral, offers tasting experiences including a pinot noir flight, and a restaurant overlooking the vines.
Explore the Canberra District
The relatively young Canberra District wine region offers an exciting mix of traditional styles and exciting blends — riesling and shiraz being the hero varieties. In Murrambateman, Shaw Wines produces some of Australia’s best cabernet sauvignon and offers wine tasting experiences that include access to a private cellar. At the Contentious Character winery, in the hills of Wamboin, try the Agreeable Wine Stubborn Vine Pinot Noir or the Stop and Smell the Rosé. Head to Clonakilla for its bold reds, Poacher’s Pantry for natural wood-smoked meats and Poachers wine, and Tallagandra Hill Wines, where you’ll find cottage accommodation.
Go deep on the South Coast
On the South Coast, the Eurobodalla region,about a four-hour drive south of Sydney, is a sensational foodie destination with a handful of boutique wineries, country pubs, great oysters and decadent cheeses. Pop into Tilba Valley Winery and Alehouse for a grazing plate and local wine. Further south, the Sapphire Coast wine industry is in its infancy but a well worth exploring. Mimosa Wines has an excellent cellar door and interesting varietals such as savagnin and verdelho.
Bago Maze and Winery, Wauchope Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a visit to Bago Maze and Winery, Wauchope.
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Bago Maze and Winery, Wauchope Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a visit to Bago Maze and Winery, Wauchope.
Lowe Wines, Mudgee Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a wine tasting experience with winemaker David Lowe at Lowe Wines, Mudgee.
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Lowe Wines, Mudgee Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a wine tasting experience with winemaker David Lowe at Lowe Wines, Mudgee.
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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.