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Mt Lofty Estate
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Lancemore Milawa
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Chateau Elan
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Balgownie Estate
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Mitchelton Wines Nagambie
Australia is blessed with some of the most spectacular wine country in the world and while wine tasting is the ultimate aim, some cellar doors offer more than just a good drop. If you prefer your vino with a side of cinematic views, sensational design and heritage that’s lasted the ages, set your sights on these spectacular cellar doors.
Château Élan at The Vintage, Hunter Valley, New South Wales
Located in NSW’s esteemed Hunter Valley, Château Élan at The Vintage offers a sophisticated cellar door experience that offers something for any level of oenophile. Guests are invited to sip through premium wine tastings from award-winning local vineyards, guided by knowledgeable staff who take visitors through each tasting and share insights into the winemaking process. Paired with luxurious accommodations and a world-class spa, Chateau Elan ensures an unforgettable wine country retreat.
The Mitchelton Hotel Nagambie, Goulburn Valley, Victoria
Situated on the banks of the Goulburn River, The Mitchelton Hotel provides a cellar door experience that blends exceptional wine with striking architecture. Guests can explore a curated selection of boutique wines, including the estate’s renowned shiraz and riesling, in a modern, light-filled tasting room. Guided tours through the winery and underground cellars reveal the art of winemaking, adding depth to the experience. With its scenic location and luxury lodging, Mitchelton delivers a perfect escape for wine aficionados.
Mount Lofty House, Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Built in 1852 as Arthur Hardy’s summer house, Mount Lofty House carries the Adelaide Hills’ wine story into the present. Its historic cellar sits beneath Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant, where more than 1,300 Australian and international labels are stored in naturally cool conditions. Stay among the Piccadilly Valley gardens, then join a property tour with a seasonal signature drink and house welcome – a cellar-door detour with a little more history.
Juniper Estate, Margaret River, Western Australia
A visual feast of rambling roses and flower-filled gardens with a quaint cottage of sandstone at its centre, Juniper Estate will fulfil your wildest Cotswolds dreams. Nestled in Western Australia’s acclaimed Margaret River region, this beautifully intimate cellar door is a slice of English charm with the picturesque Wilyabrup Creek running through the middle and hard-to-resist grassy riverbanks on either side; perfect for kicking back with a glass of something special.
Balgownie Estate, Yarra Valley, Victoria
Wine, food and a stay come in a perfect package at Balgownie Estate, where the Yarra Valley unfolds around a contemporary cellar door and sweeping vineyard views. With more than 50 years of winemaking heritage, the estate pours cool-climate chardonnay and pinot noir alongside limited releases and museum selections. Start with a guided tasting, then follow it with a seasonal meal at Restaurant 1309, matched with Balgownie wines. With 70 rooms and suites, an endota Spa and plenty of room to linger, this is one of Victoria’s finest.
TarraWarra Estate, Yarra Valley, Victoria
Despite first impressions, you have not stumbled into a Tolkien novel. Located in the Yarra Valley, this cellar door looks like it’s been plucked straight out of Hobbiton. Access is via a wooden door hidden within a curved stone entrance, which leads to an underground cellar door with moody, industrial charm and an elegant timber bar lit from the black funnel skylights overhead. Sip the afternoon away underground in this sleek space, tasting the vast TarraWarra range, and then enjoy a stroll through 400 acres of farmland carpeted in rows of vines, vegetables and tall pine trees. Estate vineyard tours are also available.
Lancemore Milawa, King Valley, Victoria
Nestled in the foothills of Victoria’s High Country, Lancemore Milawa is a King Valley escape for both design lovers and wine connoisseurs alike. Framed by vineyards, mountains and big open skies, the 40-room retreat puts the region’s best produce and pours within easy reach. Settle into Merlot Restaurant for contemporary Australian fare inspired by local artisans, paired with wines from Milawa and the wider King Valley. You could leave to go cellar-hopping, but with a pool, open fires and the valley stretching beyond the terrace, you’ll probably want to stay put.
Tyrrell’s, Hunter Valley, New South Wales
Walking through some of the Hunter Valley’s oldest vines to reach the cellar door of Tyrrell’s winery is like stepping back in time. The original, rusted bark hut that Edward Tyrrell lived in (back in 1858) takes pride of place, the old oak vats are still on display and the historic underground red cellar is still used in the wine-making process today. Experience more than 160 years of history and walk on the ground where six generations of wine-making prestige have been finessed, culminating in Vat 1 semillon, one of Australia’s most awarded white wines, whose vines were first planted in 1923.
Levantine Hill, Yarra Valley, Victoria
This award-winning Yarra Valley winery could easily pass for an art gallery, with grand barrel vault ceilings and corrugated iron beams directing your gaze towards the vines inside. Marrying architecture with award-winning drops, Levantine Hill’s cellar door is an avant-garde creation by the Fender Katsalid Architects, the same firm that designed MONA (Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart). The interior is filled with visually stunning barrel booths and two chef-hatted dining spaces, while outside the grounds are overflowing with wonderful paintings and sculptures by Australian artists. The wine is nothing to sniff at either (though, please do), with grapes handpicked and hand sorted into batches of 50kg to ensure only the best of the best fruit is used. And one of the best things about the Yarra Valley? It’s only a 40-minute drive from Melbourne’s CBD.
Pt Leo Estate, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
Pt Leo Estate is not just a winery. It’s 50 acres of vines tempered with cool, maritime breezes, a remarkable sculpture park with over 60 large-scale pieces, a vast restaurant, a glamorous architecturally-designed cellar door and wine terrace with an unparalleled 180° view that extends towards Western Port Bay. On arrival, walk through the sleek concrete walls of the main building, designed to conjure the image of wine being poured into a glass, and kick back on the wine terrace with charcuterie, cheese, and a glass of pinot gris.
Moorilla, Hobart, Tasmania
While MONA (next door) boasts a subterranean cave stuffed with wonders, the artwork in the tasting room of neighbouring Moorilla Winery will literally go over your head. Established by the owner of MONA, David Walsh, this small-batch winery invites you to frolic among the cool climate vines of Tasmania’s second-oldest vineyard, swill a glass of signature Praxis and admire John Olsen’s stunning work of art, The Source (2002-03), in pride of place overhead.
Iron Creek Bay Estate, Sorell, Tasmania
A short, scenic drive from Hobart, Iron Creek Bay Estate blends the tranquil beauty of vineyards, cherry orchards, farm animals and wide Southern Tasmanian views into one idyllic countryside escape. Alongside beautiful Tasmanian wines, enjoy a meal spotlighting local produce at ORANI Restaurant as you overlook the orchard towards Mount Wellington. The estate’s sustainable cabin-style rooms make a charming base for exploring the surrounding wine country, then returning for sunset and stargazing. Bookmark this one for your next romantic weekend away.
Port Phillip Estate, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
Trade the tasting-room crowds for an off-grid cabin in this Adelaide Hills haven. Set minutes from the historic village and The Cedars – the former home of artist Hans Heysen – these minimalist cabins place vineyards, farm gates and cellar doors within easy reach. Spend the afternoon exploring Hahndorf, then return to your private fire pit, cook something simple and uncork a bottle of Adelaide Hills wine. For an extra splash of indulgence, CABN X adds a king bed, private sauna and outdoor bath beneath the trees.
D’Arenberg, McLaren Vale, South Australia
D’Arenberg’s cellar door marries a Rubik’s Cube-style design with the glitz of a disco ball. Overlooking neat rows of shiraz and grenache vines, D’Arenberg itself is as much a spectacle as the panoramic views from its five stories. Inspired by the complexities of winemaking, this five-level architectural marvel was carefully designed to delight the senses with a wine aroma inhalation room, a 360° video installation that puts you (virtually) in a fermenter, an eclectic art collection and a critically acclaimed fine diner. Thanks to the unique puzzle-like design, one thing’s certain — you can drink in the valley views from wherever you stand.
Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
Spread across 34 acres of finely manicured gardens and vines in Red Hill, Lancemore Lindenderry looks like something out of a picture book. The porcelain-white hotel’s pathway is lined with white flower trees and trimmed hedges; charming rooms blend European country house style with modern Australian panache; and at its heart is an excellent cellar door and hatted fine diner. Say hello to a next-level base for exploring the region’s cool-climate vineyards and seaside villages.
Sevenhill Cellars, Clare Valley, South Australia
Sitting pretty amid the Clare Valley vines just off the Riesling Trail, overlooked by the stately St Aloysius’ Church, Sevenhill Cellars is one of South Australia’s oldest and most unique wineries. The cellar door was previously a Jesuit Monastery (established in 1851), but these days the close-to-holy drops are available for all to enjoy. Enjoy a picnic amid the vines, enjoy a near-spiritual tasting experience at the cellar door with a tasting of Sevenhill’s enduring altar wine, and tour the underground cellars and crypt.
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Featured image: D’Arenburg, McLaren Vale, South Australia.
