The ultimate guide to Australia's best regional wineries
As a result, no matter where you are, there is a winery experience waiting to be enjoyed. With few exceptions, the best wineries in Australia are open to the public and many host festivals and events throughout the year.
Enjoy our Ultimate Guide to Australia's Best Regional Wineries:
SOUTH AUSTRALIA'S WINE REGIONS
CREDIT: South Australian Tourism Commission
Although you’ll always get an argument from the eastern states, South Australia is the wine capital of Australia, a title borne out by the fact that it is responsible for more than half of the country’s total production. With a climate most comparable to that of its Mediterranean contemporaries, especially in the Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale regions, South Australia produces the widest range of wine varieties in Australia.
The Barossa Valley is South Australia’s oldest and most famous, known for producing the world's best Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Semillon. The best Barossa wines regularly win awards and wineries like Jacob’s Creek, Penfolds Grange, Seppeltsfield, Rockfords and Henschke have all become global brands.
The Clare Valley is another of Australia’s most established wine regions, best known for its Rieslings as well as its Shiraz and Cabernet blends. Home to more than 30 cellar doors, the Riesling Trail is a popular family-friendly bike or walking route that follows a disbanded railway line and takes in a number of Clare’s best wineries.
South Australia's Best Wine Festivals
There are a number of music, food and wine festivals that celebrate the South Australian wine industry. Chief among them are Handpicked at Langhorne Creek, Barossa Vintage Festival and the Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend.
South Australia's Best Wineries
Shaw + Smith, Adelaide Hills
Established in 1989 by cousins Michael Hill Smith MW and Martin Shaw, Shaw + Smith specializes in cool-climate varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Shiraz. Just a five-minute drive from the infamous German town of Hahndorf, this hidden gem in the Adelaide Hills is a must-visit for wine lovers.
WHERE: 136 Jones Road, Balhannah
Rockford Wines, Krondorf
Dedicated to traditional winemaking methods, Rockford Wines offers a unique glimpse into Australia's wine heritage. The cellar door is housed in a picturesque 1850s stone settler's cottage, providing a charming backdrop for tastings of their iconic Basket Press Shiraz and other varietals.
WHERE: 131 Krondorf Road, Tanunda
Sevenhill Cellars, Clare Valley
Founded in 1851 by Jesuit settlers, Sevenhill Cellars is the oldest winery in the Clare Valley. Visitors can explore underground cellars and a fascinating museum that tells the story of its sacramental wine origins. Set across 90 hectares of vineyard, Sevenhill produces premium Shiraz, Grenache, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
WHERE: 111C College Road, Sevenhill, SA
VICTORIA'S WINE REGIONS
CREDIT: Tourism Victoria
Victoria is another Australian wine lover's paradise of over 800 wineries and over 600 cellar doors. Best known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnays, Victoria produces some of Australia’s finest examples from the cooler-climate regions of the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, and Gippsland.
Just an hour’s drive east of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is undoubtedly the birthplace of Victorian wine. With over 80 wineries to visit here, no other region can boast the same consistency of award-winning quality.
Venture further north into Victoria’s High Country and discover the Alpine Valleys Wine Region. Surrounded by mountains and charming towns like Bright and Porepunkah, it’s home to boutique wineries producing vibrant cool-climate varietals and offering a warm, relaxed atmosphere.
Victoria's Best Wine Festivals
As Australia’s self-proclaimed event capital, Victoria offers no shortage of food and wine festivals worth planning a trip around. The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is a rolling program of world-class seasonal events that attract international luminaries of the food and wine industry. Down on the Mornington Peninsula, the VineHop Festival celebrates the region’s cool-climate wines with a vibrant, multi-venue experience.
Victoria's Best Wineries
Giant Steps, Yarra Valley
Known for amazing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Giant Steps wines have received critical acclaim from around the world and developed a strong reputation in restaurants and fine wine retailers globally. The single vineyard range is highly awarded and can be tasted in their stunning Yarra Valley cellar door.
WHERE: 314 Maroondah Highway, Healesville
Tahbilk Estate, Nagambie
Established in 1860 by the Purbrick family, they still run and own Tahbilk Wines which has been producing some of the region's best varietals on over 200 hectares in the beautiful Nagambie Lakes region of central Victoria. Close to the banks of the Goulburn River, Tahbilk is one of Australia’s most beautiful and historic wineries.
WHERE: 254 O’Neils Road, Tahbilk
Ringer Reef Winery, Porepunkah
Perched on the slopes of Mount Buffalo, Ringer Reef is a boutique, family-run winery offering panoramic views of the Alpine Valleys. Enjoy relaxed tastings of small-batch wines like Merlot and Montepulciano, often paired with local grazing boards.
WHERE: 6835 Great Alpine Road, Porepunkah
TASMANIA'S WINE REGIONS
CREDIT: Tourism Tasmania
The Apple Isle’s reputation for producing some of the best cool-climate wines in the world is well-deserved. With a history of winemaking that dates back as far as 1823, Tasmania began producing Australia’s first sparkling wine not long after in 1826.
The Tamar Valley is its oldest and most famous region, and is a hotspot for cellar doors, markets and restaurants. With more than 32 vineyards within easy driving distance of Launceston, the Tamar Valley is a must on any visit.
Further south, the Southern Wine Trail includes wineries close to Hobart, including the lush Derwent Valley, Coal River Valley and the Huon Valley.
Winelovers shouldn’t ignore the North Coast Wine Trail either, which is packed with spectacular coastal views and a number of award-winning cellar doors.
Tasmania's Best Wine Festivals
The festival calendar in Tasmania is packed with annual events worth planning a trip around, including the Tasmanian Wine Festival and Effervescence Tasmania Sparkling Weekend. Both showcase a rich array of local wines set against Tasmania’s stunning sceneries.
Tasmania's Best Wineries
Josef Chromy Wines, Relbia
A 15-minute drive from Hadspen, Josef Chromy Wines offers an exceptional cellar door experience. Set amidst rolling vineyards and a picturesque lake, the winery is renowned for its cool-climate varietals, including Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The on-site restaurant provides a menu that pairs perfectly with their wines, making it a must-visit destination for wine enthusiasts.
WHERE: 370 Relbia Rd, Relbia
Frogmore Creek, Coal River Valley
As the largest ultra-premium cool-climate winery in southern Tasmania, Frogmore Creek sits in the farming region of Coal River Valley and is just a short drive from Hobart’s CBD. The estate features an award-winning cellar door and restaurant, offering visitors the opportunity to sample Tasmania's acclaimed cool-climate wines and savour fresh, local produce, all while enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding vineyards
WHERE: 699 Richmond Road, Cambridge
NEW SOUTH WALES' WINE REGIONS
CREDIT: Destination NSW
New South Wales is home to some of Australia’s most iconic wine regions, including the Hunter Valley, South Coast and Riverina —each earning its place on the international stage.
As the largest wine producing region in New South Wales, the Riverina centres on the town of Griffith and accounts for close to 50 percent of all of New South Wales total production. With rich soil, a successful irrigation scheme and a near Mediterranean climate, this region’s history in wine dates back to the early parts of the 20th century.
Hunter Valley winemakers are justifiably proud of their heritage of making some of the best Semillon and Shiraz in the country and is home to over 150 wineries dotted around its rolling green hills. On the South Coast, the Shoalhaven Wine Region stretches from Kiama in the north to Milton in the south and produces award-winning Verdelho, Chardonnay, Semillon and Shiraz.
New South Wales' Best Wine Festivals
Key events to mark on the calendar include the Hunter Valley Wine & Beer Festival, the Good Food and Wine Festival and the Pyrmont Festival —both held in Sydney. Further afield, the Orange Wine Festival continues to grow in popularity and offers a great opportunity to discover the region’s cool-climate wines.
New South Wales' Best Wineries
Cupitts Estate, Ulladulla
A treasure trove of sensory delights, Cupitt’s Winery is just five minutes from the township of Ulladulla on the New South Wales South Coast. Family-owned for generations, this is a destination for lovers of great wine, artisanal cheese, beer and high-quality produce. Not to be missed!
WHERE: 58 Washburton Road, Ulladulla
Two Figs Winery, Shoalhaven Coast
Overlooking the Shoalhaven River near Berry, Two Figs Winery is a boutique, family-run cellar door known for its handcrafted small-batch wines. Enjoy tastings of their award-winning Verdelho, Chambourcin, and Chardonnay while soaking in panoramic vineyard and river views.
WHERE: 905 Bolong Road, Back Forest
WESTERN AUSTRALIA'S WINE REGIONS
CREDIT: Tourism WA
Western Australia is home to a diverse range of grapes that have earned the state an international reputation as a producer of premium-quality white and red wine. By far the state’s most famous region is Margaret River which by location is one of the world’s most isolated wine regions.
The Swan Valley is just a 30 minute drive from Perth and is WA’s oldest wine region and Australia’s second oldest overall. Home to historic towns, friendly cellar doors and passionate producers, the Swan Valley is a natural food bowl that offers visitors a raft of world-class food and wine experiences.
The Great Southern is an emerging West Australian wine region that is also rich in cultural history. Boasting rugged coastlines and distinctive flavours, the Great Southern region is a leader in the development of contemporary Australian winemaking.
Western Australia's Best Wine Festivals
WA’s food and wine festivals are always popular. Events to keep your eye on throughout the year include Unwined Perth and the Margaret River Pair’d Festival, all of which bring together the vibrant WA wine industry.
Western Australia's Best Wineries
Leeuwin Estate, Margaret River
Known for delicious Chardonnays and Cabernet Sauvignon, there is an art gallery at the cellar door here that is worth coming for alone. Family-run and owned, it’s easy to make a day of it here, especially when you include lunch or dinner at their fabulous restaurant surrounded by manicured gardens.
WHERE: Stevens Road, Margaret River
Olive Farm Wines, Swan Valley
Established in 1829, Olive Farm Wines is WA’s oldest winery, offering over 40 styles including sparkling, red, white, and fortified wines. Enjoy tastings in their modern cellar door surrounded by rich Swan Valley heritage.
WHERE: 920 Great Northern Highway, Millendon
QUEENSLAND'S WINE REGIONS
CREDIT: Tourism Queensland
Surprising to some, Queensland’s wine industry dates back to the 1860s—and like a fine wine, it’s only improved with age. The state now boasts around 1,500 hectares of vineyards, most of them found in the southeast corner. The cool climate of the Hinterland, nestled in the Great Dividing Range, provides ideal conditions for growing grapes and sets the tone for relaxed, scenic tasting experiences.
The undulating green hills of the Sunshine Coast & Hinterland offer panoramic views of the ocean and provide the perfect backdrop for Queensland's newest wine tourism destination. From the sea resort of Noosa to the old-time heritage appeal of the Hinterland, this region's burgeoning wine industry remains poised to take its place as a premier destination.
Queensland's Best Wine Festivals
Two standout events on Queensland’s wine and food calendar include the Noosa Eat & Drink Festival and Relish Food & Wine. The relaxed atmosphere of the Capricorn Food & Wine Festival is another worth circling in your calendar.
Queensland's Best Wineries
Flame Hill Vineyard, Montville
Perched at the top of Montville, this Sunshine Coast favourite blends Granite Belt fruit with stunning Hinterland views. Sip a glass on the terrace and take in sweeping valley vistas stretching all the way to the sea.
WHERE: 249 Western Avenue, Montville
Ballandean Estate Wines, Ballandean
Located in the heart of the Granite Belt, Ballandean Estate is Queensland’s oldest family-owned winery. Since 1932, they’ve been producing award-winning wines from high-altitude, cool-climate vineyards—starting with vines planted by Salvatore Cardillo nearly a century ago.
WHERE: 354 Sundown Road, Ballandean
Craving for more inspirations?
Discover why Winter is the season to visit Australia's wine regions.
