Victoria's best wine regions
YARRA VALLEY
Image: Wine tasting at Stones of the Yarra Valley cellar door; Credit: Visit Victoria & Robert Blackburn
You can't go wrong with the Yarra Valley, Victoria's oldest wine producing region. It's 170+ year history guarantees visitors established wineries with award-winning tipples, all among forest and rolling green hills. The Coombe Farm, set in the historic Melba House (circa 1912), is a favourite with great wine, gardens and providore. Tarrawarra Estate is worth the time, too; their entranc, built into the side of a hill, looks like something out of Lord of the Rings (hobbits not included).
Book your holiday at our nearest park: Discovery Parks - Melbourne
RUTHERGLEN
Image: The Wicked Virgin and Calico Town Wines, Rutherglen; Credit: Josie Withers
Rutherglen masters the art of fortified wine, including the world's most decadent type: the muscat. While the climate is prime for producing a sweet tokay, the region produces some knockout reds. The local durif is a smoky and dark wine and wins the tastebuds of all serious fans of red wine. Campbells and Cofield have cellar doors - so go on in, say g'day and have a sip!
Book your stay at our nearest park: Discovery Parks - Lake Hume
GEELONG & THE BELLARINE
Image: Jack Rabbit Winery Bellarine Peninsula; Credit: Visit Victoria & Roberto Seba
You might be here as a quick weekend getaway from Melbourne or about to head off on your Great Ocean Road journey. But Geelong & the Bellarine offers several areas to explore - each with their own climates and signature varieties. The salty air on the Surf Coast, the tough limestone of the Moorabool Valley, and the rich black basalt soil of the Bellarine made this greater wine region a pandora's box of choice.
Book your stay at our nearest park: Discovery Parks - Geelong
PERRICOOTA
Image: St Annes Vineyards Perricoota; Credit: Visit Victoria & Emily Godfrey
While Echuca-Moama may be the holiday spot for history buffs, the wine lovers are well taken care of. This wine region may be only a couple of decades old, but the Perricoota is spreading the word on its quality table reds. When you're not riding down the Murray on a paddlesteamer, snap up a couple of bottles of cabernet sauvignon or shiraz from St Anne's and Cape Horn.
Book your stay at our nearest parks:
Discovery Parks - Maidens Inn Moama
HENTY
Image: Basalt Restaurant and Winery, Port Fairy; Credit: Visit Victoria & Robert Blackburn
Have you taken an album's worth of photos of the Bay of Islands and the gigantic trees in the Otways? Keep on keepin' on, as another stop lies west. On the south-west corner of Victoria lies another spot along the Great Ocean Road: the Henty wine region. With long and cold winters, the Henty produces sparkling wine good enough to keep your mates happy at New Year's. Basalt's is a worthy cellar door to indulge - sip biodynamic riesling and nibble on tapas.
Book your stay at our nearest park: Discovery Parks - Warrnambool
Love wine touring? Victoria has some of the best on offer.
