USD 
Looking for Australia’s best places to wine and dine? With over 65 designated wine regions and approximately 2700 producers across the country, deciding where you want to go can be daunting. Wine lovers, here are the best places for the different varietals in each of our diverse states.
From sandy seasides to rocky mountains and lush volcanic regions, Australia’s diverse environment creates many different climates and produces wines of every variety; from bold reds and crisp whites to vibrant sparkling and luscious fortified wines.
The best wine regions in New South Wales
Hunter Valley
The Hunter Valley is a major wine-producing area in Australia, with over 150 cellar doors and winemakers. It’s known for semillon, shiraz and chardonnay, and is Australia’s oldest continuing wine cultivating region. For a non-traditional drinking experience, head out to Lisa McGuigan’s Vamp. For exquisite dining, try The Wood Restaurant at Brokenwood Wines in Polkolbin.
Mudgee
With 100 wineries dotted around the region, the picturesque Mudgee area is known for its reds; shiraz, merlot and cabernet sauvignon, and also its elegant chardonnay. Dine amongst the vines on the Chef’s Selection menu and match with local wines at the Greek-inspired Pipeclay Pumphouse or enjoy smoky, woodfired dishes like Porterhouse steak and local lamb at Gigi’s Restaurant. Wash it down with a local riesling from Robert Stein.
Orange
In Orange, three hours west of Sydney, you’ll find Hey Rosey Wine Bar, a hero in this wine town with a raft of local drops on the wine list. This region produces delicious chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir and riesling. Printhie Wines has a one-hatted restaurant – book the chef’s table experience and have a four-course meal with matched wine or do a wine workshop in the Champagne Cave.
Southern Highlands
This cool climate wine region south west of Sydney in the Great Dividing Range is home to 17 cellar doors. Each winemaker navigates a different terroir so the variety of flavour profiles is diverse. Don’t miss Artemis in Mittagong for award-winning shiraz, chardonnay and pinot noir or wine and dine at Ethos in Bowral for a special experience
The best wine regions in Western Australia
Many Western Australian wineries are in remote locations, far from the pesticides and chemicals used by other farmers. Because of this, organic vintages thrive.
Margaret River
Margaret River is one of Australia’s premium wine regions. With a climate similar to Bordeaux in France, and close to the Indian and Southern Oceans, the sandy, gravelly soil is ideal for vines. You’ll find zesty semillon–sauvignon blanc blends, age-worthy cabernet sauvignon, sophisticated chardonnay and peppery shiraz. Visit the fine diner restaurant at Voyager Estate for its sustainably grown and sourced food and Leeuwin Estate for its art gallery alongside the vineyard.
Swan District
A 30-minute drive from Perth, this region is known for chenin blanc. The Mediterranean climate also lends itself to varieties like chardonnay, verdelho and a range of sweet fortified wines. At the Sandalford Bar and Restaurant try a botrytis semillon while dining at the award winning restaurant on modern Australian and European cuisine.
Great Southern
From the coastal town of the Great Southern region to the national parks, farms and inland mountain ranges, road tripping through this area offers first-class wine tasting experiences. Take a day trip from Albany to try the organic, hand-picked wine at Oranje Tractor in the quaint tasting shed or do a cool climate chardonnay masterclass at Single File Wines. Indulge in a gourmet grazing board by the lake at Lake House Denmark.
The best wine regions in Victoria
Victoria is one of the most diverse states for wine. The vast differences in the topography of the regions means that it produces everything from light sparkling to elegant, complex reds.
Yarra Valley
The lush forest areas of the Yarra Valley attract visitors in droves. With over 80 wineries in the region, don’t miss Chandon for sparkling French-style wine and everywhere else for cool-climate wines, particularly cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir and chardonnay. Dine at Fergusson Estate for exquisite, house-made pasta, bread and pastries or visit the TarraWarra Estate and eat overlooking vineyards before checking out the indoor art gallery.
Mornington Peninsula
With the ocean on three sides, the wineries of this peninsula enjoy a mild climate and a long growing season. This results in elegant cool-climate pinot noir and complex chardonnay. Fragrant pinot gris and peppery shiraz are starting to make an appearance here, too. Laura at Pt Leo Estate offers stunning ocean views and the opportunity to wander through the onsite sculpture park. For evenings, try fine dining at Audrey’s by Scott Pickett at the InterContinental Sorrento.
Bellarine Peninsula
The Bellarine has a reputation for elegant, food-friendly pinot gris, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir and sparkling wines. Ocean views punctuate the lovely country drives between wineries and provide a pretty backdrop for wine tasting. Check out Jack Rabbit Vineyard, Scotchmans Hill, and Oakdene Vineyards for a range of varietals and excellent local, seasonal dining.
King Valley
Prosecco bubbles reign supreme in the King Valley. Also known as Little Italy, this region is home to Pizzini Wines, Brown Brothers and Dal Zotto, and many smaller winemakers creating interesting Italian-style wines (barbera, pinot bianco, sangiovese, pinot gris/grigio, saperavi, aligoté, dolcetto, and albariño.
With a climate and community that echoes the Prosecco region of the Italian countryside, you’ll enjoy country hospitality at every cellar door.
The best wine regions in South Australia
Home to some of the country’s oldest vines and most iconic labels, there are more than 200 cellar doors; almost half of the country’s wine production occurs in South Australia. The terroir is diverse and some of the oldest vines in the world are planted here on lands tilled by generations of the same family.
Adelaide Hills
With award-winning wine and only 30 minutes from the CBD of Adelaide, the hills region is the place to go in search of pinot noir and other cool climate wine varieties like chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and riesling. The region is known for its fruit production and the flavour profiles reflect this. Penfolds Magill Estate should be top of your list if you’re in this area.
The Barossa Valley
Internationally recognised for its big, bold reds, the Barossa has 250 vineyards to choose from. At Seppeltsfield you can taste wine that’s over a hundred years old, and at Yalumba, where the vines were first planted in 1849, are some of the country’s best cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and red blends.
McLaren Vale
For an elegant, full-bodied shiraz head to McLaren Vale. A full spectrum of styles are made here, from tempranillo and sangiovese, to fiano, vermentino and nero d’avola. At d’Arenberg you’ll find aromatic wines accompanying a lavish degustation meal at Verandah and mind-bending art at the onsite gallery. Also in this region is Hugh Hamilton Wines and Chapel Hill Wine.
The best wine regions in Tasmania
Tasmania may be Australia’s smallest state, but in the world of wine, it punches well above its weight. The island has earned an international reputation for premium sparkling wines, elegant pinot noirs and aromatic wines like riesling, prized for their purity, vibrant acidity and delicate citrus and floral notes.
Equal parts scenic and palate-pleasing, the Tamar Valley is Tasmania’s oldest and most established wine-producing area, with rolling vineyards set against the backdrop of the Tamar River. Nearby Pipers River is the epicentre of sparkling wine, with producers like Jansz and House of Arras drawing inspiration from the Champagne region of France – using the traditional méthode champenoise and cool-climate conditions to craft wines with complexity and fine natural acidity.
Down south, the Coal River and Huon valleys offer boutique cellar doors and farm-to-table dining, with cool evenings and sea breezes lending finesse to local sauvignon blancs and rieslings.
The best wine regions in Queensland
The surprise of the country is Queensland. Despite the warm climate there are regions where vineyards are flourishing.
Granite Belt
Three hours drive south west of Brisbane, you’ll find boutique wineries in this mineral-rich wine region. Adjacent to the magnificent Girraween National Park, wine varieties are diverse and range from chardonnay to viognier, and shiraz to tempranillo, depending on the wineries you visit. Enjoy a sensational sunset picnic at Balancing Heart Vineyard with a bottle of their pinot gris or dine amongst the vines at Dear Vincent Wines with a pet nat.
Sunshine Coast
This region has developed over recent years and aficionados can pursue tastes of verdelho, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and shiraz while visiting the area. In central Maleny Spill Wine Bar hosts tastings, workshops and even a ‘Words and Wine’ bookclub. Visit Dingo Creek Vineyard only 40 minutes from Noosa and enjoy a sparkling wine or drop into Clouds Vineyard for a shiraz or a tawny in the famous barrel room.
Gold Coast Hinterland
Head to the hinterland and on Mount Tamborine you’ll find a great vermentino at Witches Falls Winery. Further into the Lamington National Park, O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards is memorable for its vineyard views and alpaca farm. Test your tastebuds with shiraz, sangiovese, merlot and chambourcin at this pretty property.
