Best Wineries for a Winter Escape

Located in the heart of the Hunter Valley Wine Country, Bimbadgen is a striking winery and vineyard encompassing an expansive cellar door, award-winning Esca Bimbadgen Restaurant, Tuscan style courtyard serving woodfired pizza, outdoor amphitheatre, modern tasting rooms, and accommodation - all in the one stunning location. Esca's Modern Australian cuisine, fresh, local and home grown produce and spectacular views make for a truly memorable dining experience.

Isabella's Restaurant at Rochford, provides a memorable dining experience in a unique, relaxed atmosphere in the heart of the Yarra Valley. Celebrating seasonal fare and combining classic flavours with modern day twists, our team of Chef’s create our dishes to maximise fresh and local produce, and to complement Rochford's globally renowned and awarded wines. Isabella's offers a large outdoor terrace area, sweeping views of the Great Dividing Range and easy access to the cellar door and gin bar tasting areas.

Open for lunch daily 11am-4pm

Cellar Door, Wine & Gin Bar 11am-5pm 

The Leeuwin Restaurant at Leeuwin Estate in Margaret River maintains the food philosophy of combining exceptional seasonal West Australian produce, focusing on flavour, texture and aromas. Leeuwin Restaurant offers a three course seasonal menu and six course tasting menu which can be paired with current and museum release Leeuwin Estate wines. With sweeping verandahs, the restaurant overlooks a meadow surrounded by a forest of majestic karri trees. The Leeuwin “Wine Room”, is available for private dining group bookings.

The award winning restaurant Zin House lies on the Lowe Family Wine Co property and enjoys views across Lowe’s iconic Zinfandel vines - from which it gains its name. Head chef Nathaniel Destefano continues owner Kim Currie’s guiding principles of authenticity, generosity and quality as he prepares seasonal dishes with what they and their neighbours grow. The five course set menu hero’s real food, made from scratch, balanced with a refined and technique driven approach. Start with a wine tasting at the popular Lowe Cellar Door before wandering 100 meters to the Zin House, with views overlooking the property and to the Mudgee hills in the distance.

The Zin House serves lunch Friday-Monday from 12pm and dinner Friday-Saturday from 6pm

Cellar door open daily 10am-5pm

Bookings are essential.

***Please visit the website link on this listing and go to news/events for an exciting line up of events at Lowe Estate, including Twilight Tapas, and special dinners and lunches hosted by David and Kim. 

Photography: Courtesy of The Zin House

Meander your way through the many vineyards of the Hunter Valley to Mount View and explore the property and cellar door of Briar Ridge Wines. The five-star winery was first established in 1972 and has had a long history in the Hunter region and wine-making industry. The open cellar door overlooks the property and is the ideal spot to try your way through the wine list with a plate of local gourmet cheeses and antipasto nibbles.

Photography: Courtesy of Briar Ridge

Located a mere 3km from the historic village of Hahndorf and a scenic 25-minute drive from Adelaide CBD, our hidden gem promises a tranquil escape that transports you worlds away.

Perched high in the heart of our vineyard, our modern restaurant offers breathtaking views of the picturesque Adelaide Hills—ideal for both a leisurely getaway or a sophisticated business lunch. Immerse yourself in the subtleties of our single-vineyard Estate wines, expertly paired with the culinary creations, showcased in our Provenance and Harvest menus, featuring the finest South Australian produce.

Jack Rabbit Vineyard offers a brilliant regional experience with spectacular panoramic views across the bay to Melbourne and Geelong. There are two different dining options. Choose The Jack Rabbit Restaurant (a la carte) which has forged a reputation as a gastronomic showpiece for the Bellarine Peninsula alongside a stable of multi award winning cool climate wines. Or if you prefer a more relaxed experience, The ‘House of Jack Rabbit' cellar door offers casual café-style lunches, guided wine tastings and a warming log fire in the cooler months . Winner – 2019 The Golden Plate for Best Restaurant Winner – 2019 Best Contemporary Dining Golden Plate Awards.

Cellar door 10am-5pm daily

Jack Rabbit Restaurant open for lunch daily and dinner Friday-Saturday nights during daylight saving.

House of Jack Rabbit: Brunch daily 10am-5pm and dinner Friday and Saturday

Jack Rabbit Restaurant: Lunch daily from 12noon and dinner Friday-Saturday from 6pm

The Cups Estate is a Mornington Peninsula property boasting a vineyard, cellar door, olive grove and restaurant. The restaurant offers a set Modern Australian menu with a Sicilian bent and ingredients come from The Cups' organic vegetable garden. Get the most out of your trip to the region with the "Cups and Springs Package", where you can dine at The Cups, then travel down the road to bathe in the thermal waters of Peninsula Hot Springs.

Restaurant open Thursday to Monday

Cellar door Thurs to Mon by appointment only from 11am-11.45am

Situated in the picturesque Huon Valley, Home Hill Winery Restaurant is renowned for its locally sourced ingredients and breathtaking views over Mount Wellington. Surrounded by lush, sweeping hills, the restaurant's floor to ceiling windows gives diners the perfect vantage spot to dine with a view. The modern Australian menu is elegantly presented and features produce from the surrounding paddocks, as well as daily caught fish for a truly memorable dining experience.

Cellar Door is Now Open 7 days, 10am-5pm

Restaurant open Thursday -  Monday, 10am to 5pm

Contentious Character is now located in Fyshwick, having moved from their vineyard in rural Wamboin. This new location is a destination in itself, located in a chic industrial space and serving up contemporary wines and food from the kitchen in a unique atmosphere. Come for a wine tasting, breakfast, tapas and a bite any time. The Contentious (not pretentious) crew will love to greet you.