Victoria is home to twenty wine regions and over 800 wineries producing some of the finest wines in Australia. Savour award-winning chardonnay, pinot noir, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon at the Yarra Valley wineries. The Shiraz Central region on the northwest of Melbourne will provide you with cool-spiced Australian shiraz. For a glass of bubbly, hit the Italian-influenced King Valley wineries, and for a strong muscat, go to Rutherglen. There’s no better time than your Big Lap to explore the best ones and bring home some bottles as memorabilia. Victoria is the place to discover your next favourite wine!
- 1. Seppelt Cellar Door, Great Western
- 2. Passing Clouds, Daylesford
- 3. Panton Hill Vineyard & Winery, Panton Hill
- 4. Helen & Joey Estate, Gruyere
- 5. Campbells Wines, Rutherglen
- 6. Michelini Wines, Myrtleford
- 7. John Gehrig Wines, Oxley
- 8. Montara Wines, Ararat
- 9. Bochara Wines, Bochara
- 10. Suffoir Winery, Brewery and Distillery, MacArthur
- 11. Bigibila Wines, Moonambel
- 12. Rob Dolan Wines, Warrandyte South
- 13. De Bortoli Wines, Yarra Glen
- 14. Yileena Park, Yarra Glen
- 15. Robinvale Organic & Bio-Dynamic Wines, Robinvale
- 16. Maddens Rise, Coldstream
- 17. Zig Zag Rd Wines, Drummond North
- 18. Tahbilk Winery & Cellar Door, Tabilk
- 19. Ringer Reef Winery, Porepunkah
- 20. Pizzini Wines, Whitfield
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1. Seppelt Cellar Door, Great Western
Seppelt Winery has been operating since 1851, producing exquisite table and sparkling wines. It’s open 7 days a week, from 10am to 5pm. A tour takes less than 2 hours and costs $15, including tasting. The knowledgeable staff take you underground to the heritage-listed cellars, ‘The Drives’. They were first excavated in 1868 by miners who explored the area in search of gold. The wines are no longer produced on-site; the locally grown grapes are harvested and shipped to South Australia to make the wines.
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2. Passing Clouds, Daylesford
Passing Clouds has been making boutique wines since 1974, from locally grown grapes and the winery’s vineyards in Bendigo. You can enjoy a cellar door tasting and continue with lunch at the restaurant. You get a full view of the vineyard while sipping their Estate Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. Book and arrive early, especially on weekends. The premium wine tastings are $15, while the lunch experience starts at $60. The cellar door operates every day from 10am to 5pm.
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3. Panton Hill Vineyard & Winery, Panton Hill
Panton Hill is a family-owned and run boutique winery in European style, with authentic charm. The building style and rural atmosphere give you the feeling you’re somewhere in Tuscany or Provence, but it’s merely 45minutes from Melbourne! There’s no tasting fee, the prices of wines and food are very reasonable. If you happen to visit on Sunday, know it’s BYO picnic day – you can purchase wine on-site, but you have to bring your own lunch.
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4. Helen & Joey Estate, Gruyere
Helen & Joey Estate is a family-run winery settled on a picturesque property overviewing Yarra Valley. The expansive elevated deck is the perfect setting for trying their boutique wines while taking in the views. You probably won’t expect unicorn statues at a winery, but they sure will make you giggle. Enjoy a glass of their renowned Shiraz or Rose!
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5. Campbells Wines, Rutherglen
Situated in the historic Rutherglen region, Campbells Wines is a boutique winery with over 145 years of experience in producing the best wines in Australia. This family-run winery does a great job preserving the fruit taste in their wines, authentic for this region. The expansive wine tasting selection is free. The Muscats and Topaques of Rutherglen are the two wines you can’t afford to miss!
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6. Michelini Wines, Myrtleford
Michelini Wines is a Tuscan style winery run by Italian immigrants with a rich heritage. The wines follow the architecture; you can taste Sangiovese, Teroldego, Barbera and a limited edition Fangolino at the vine pergola. The tasting fee is $10, which is waived upon purchase.
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7. John Gehrig Wines, Oxley
A small winery in King Valley, nestled in a rural setting with an authentic charm. Very old school cellar door, on an outstanding deck by the river. Wines are very affordable, and the service is impeccable. Try their Shiraz, Riesling and Chenin Blanc.
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8. Montara Wines, Ararat
Montara Winery is established in 1970 in the gold mining region of Ararat. Their rustic-style cellar door, the panorama of plains, mountains, vines, and old-world Grampians charm is a must-see. It’s open only on weekends, so try to make it and taste their Shiraz.
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9. Bochara Wines, Bochara
If you’re into a secluded atmosphere and handcrafted wines, you’ll love Bochara Winery. Established in 1998, this winery produces small batches of several varieties grown in the Henty region. Their cellar door is 1920 built, formerly the home of a returned WWI Light Horseman and was restored in 2002 to welcome visitors. A truly unique experience!
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10. Suffoir Winery, Brewery and Distillery, MacArthur
So you’re the only wine lover in your company? No problem, the Suffoir Winery, Brewery and Distillery has something for everyone. This family-run business can provide you with Pinot Noir, craft beer, cider, or gin. The cozy atmosphere is ideal for relaxing with a glass and enjoying lunch in country Victoria. Don’t forget to visit the three alpacas living on-site!
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11. Bigibila Wines, Moonambel
Bigibila Wines is a boutique winery settled at the foothills of the Pyrenees Ranges. They practice low impact winemaking by avoiding artificial fertilizers and using animal manures and ground limestone to keep the vines healthy. Their range includes red wines only, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
Did you ever want to own a vineyard? You can now, by ‘adopting’ a row of your preferred vines at Bigibila Wines and receive part of their production shipped to your home each year!
Read Next: 6 Incredible Goldfields Experiences To Have On Your Big Lap
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12. Rob Dolan Wines, Warrandyte South
The owner, Rob Dolan, opened his own winery after 25 years working in the wine industry. He tries to implement as much of the Yarra Valley charm in his wines, making them bold, generous and highly enjoyable. The winery and cellar door are just 30 minutes from Melbourne, book a beanbag and relax while tasting!
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13. De Bortoli Wines, Yarra Glen
De Bortoli is a famous winery in the Yarra Valley with gorgeous views, fresh air and a fabulous setting. It’s perfect for any special occasion dinner. You can book Estate Vineyard tasting for $10, outdoor tasting or a combination of wine tasting and wildlife spotting! Don’t forget to taste their outstanding Noble One dessert wine.
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14. Yileena Park, Yarra Glen
A relatively new, family-owned Cellar Door, Winery and Vineyard founded in 1998. It’s different from the other wineries in the region because it provides a more personalised experience. The unique tastings come at $7, and you can try Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The setting offers excellent views over the valley, and the resident donkeys are a fun addition.
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15. Robinvale Organic & Bio-Dynamic Wines, Robinvale
The Caracatsanoudis established the Robinvale Organic Wines in 1976, almost 20 years after migrating from Greece to Australia. The winery is made of ancient limestone, designed to resemble a Greek temple. Today they keep on producing quality wines, vegan and vegetarian friendly, and non-alcoholic beverages. Try their non-alcoholic or fortified wines if you’re willing to experiment with flavours.
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16. Maddens Rise, Coldstream
Maddens Rise has an artisan approach to winemaking, leading to variations in wine tastes each year. The wine is made on-site using hand-picked grapes, small-batch fermentation, minimal oak influence and wild yeasts. They adopted biological farming practices to preserve the natural vineyard environment. Their cellar door is dog friendly, clean, modern, and the service is terrific.
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17. Zig Zag Rd Wines, Drummond North
The Zig Zag Road Winery was established just three years ago in 2018 by a young family that decided to leave their corporate jobs and dedicate their lives to winemaking. They grow riesling, pinot noir, cabernet, shiraz, pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc. Tasting at their cellar door is free for groups smaller than five people, and you’re welcome to BYO picnic any day!
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18. Tahbilk Winery & Cellar Door, Tabilk
Tahblik means the place of many waterholes in the local Aboriginal dialect and accurately describes this winery’s location. It was established in 1860, and in 2013 it went carbon neutral. Do the Tabilk-Tabilk Wetlands Indigenous Flora Walking Trail, launched in March 2021, and drop by the cellar door. Enjoy the seasonal menu and their extensive list of red and white wines!
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19. Ringer Reef Winery, Porepunkah
Ringer Reef vineyard was established in 1998, and today it’s a vibrant family-run vineyard, winery and cellar door. They grow and craft a diverse range of handmade Alpine Valley wines. The outdoor tasting experience comes at $10 and includes phenomenal views from the deck as well as excellent wines.
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20. Pizzini Wines, Whitfield
Pizzini Wines is a family-owned winery in the King Valley, focusing on producing Italian wines as Pinot Grigio, Arneis, Prosecco, Sangiovese and Nebbiolo. They planted the first vines in 1978 and made the first Pizzini wine in 1994. Take a tour and sit down for a unique tasting experience. Their cellar door offers an exceptional Italian tasting experience while your kids are keeping busy at the designated kids’ area.
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