Our Visit to Australian Wineries While On Holidays
There is something
magical about a winery. Plump bunches of juicy grapes growing abundantly in
sprawling vineyards magically materialise into a delicious liquid form. Most
winery escapades require a lengthy drive to a remote place.
Canberra
Canberra is already ideally located
in close proximity to an abundance of wineries in Murrumbateman and Lake
George, you may find yourself thinking ‘Wouldn’t it be more convenient to have
a winery in the backyard?’ Mount Majura Vineyard comes pretty close to that
realisation.
Vines sprawl across the hills of
Mount Majura in orderly rows, beckoning you to turn off the Mount Majura
parkway only 15 minutes from the city to find yourself at the cellar door and
production house of Mount Majura Vineyard. It may have a relatively short
history with the first vines planted in 1988, but they have not taken long to
leave a welcome stain on the wine industry as producers of superb rieslings and
alternate varieties.
The deep and warming aroma of
fermenting grapes as you walk in the cellar door at harvest time is reason
enough for a visit. The building is a large industrial-looking tin and stone
shed, mostly filled with production materials like innumerable stainless steel
vats, oak barrels and machines to de-stem grapes, with a corner of it taken up
by the humble cellar door.
Then there’s the tasting. Take a
seat at a table inside the light-filled room, or outside on the terrace under
creeping vines and start tasting what you’ve seen growing. The cellar door
staff can walk you through a tasting or leave you to taste yourself, or just go
straight for a glass of your pick.
Victoria
The Fergusson Winery and Restaurant
lies among rising hills at the northern end of the Yarra Valley. The estate has
been in the same family for more than 30 years and Louise Fergusson has kept to
the tradition of wining and dining in her own welcoming style.
Using the finest and freshest produce the Yarra Valley has to offer, internationally trained master chef Louise Fergusson has created a diverse, provincial menu. Enjoy sensational cuisine with some of the valley's most exceptional wines. The solid timber restaurant, with its warm, Australian atmosphere, can seat up to 180 guests.
The rows of gnarled vines that are a feature of the estate are some of the districts oldest. The vineyard is planted out to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Tasting and cellar door sales of these outstanding wines are available.
The storybook chapel is tucked away among grapevines in relaxed, rural setting. Combine gourmet delights with premium wines to celebrate, and these elements make Fergusson a stunning setting for a wedding and reception. Fergusson specialise in making a wedding day perfect.
Perth
Located in the heart of the
beautiful Swan Valley, Lancaster Wines makes a great addition to anyone
venturing into this luscious area on a wine tasting trip. Its tasting shed is
set in the middle of the vines, making this stop on your trip around the Swan
Valley also worthy of a shot on your camera too.
Lancaster has some of the oldest
vines in the Swan Valley, and produces a great range of beautiful wines. The
best bit is you are able to try the whole range of wines for free, so that you
can discover your favourites before you buy. Whilst you're drinking your wine,
you are also able to try some delicious samples of cheese too.
You are invited to try the range of
wines and cheeses in the Tasting Shed, and enjoy the casual relaxed setting to
enjoy your samples. When we visited, we were talked through the selections of
white, red and dessert wines by an extremely knowledgeable staff member. You're
free to ask questions about the wines and if you don't like a particular
sample, you can just put your unwanted wines into the bucket.
We tried a number
of wines on our visit including Chenin Blanc, Verdelho, Sparkling White
Chardonnay, Rose and a Shiraz. My own palate does not enjoy dessert wines, but Kim
enjoyed tasting the Sticky Shiraz and the Late Picked Chenin. Too sweet for me,
but hearterly enjoyed by the Kim and others in our group. My personal favourite
was either the Verdelho or the Sparkling white.
Queensland
Who doesn't love a bit of cheese, olives, and
tasty relishes with crackers with their wine? Most wine tours
in Queensland stop at three of the best Stanthorpe attractions: Granite Belt Brewery, Brass Monkey
Brewery and Jamworks of Glen. We’ve been to quite a few in the Scenic Rim and
South East Queensland, but we loved the Fraser Coast Vintners Sceret, Childers.
Childers are home to four wineries -
Hill Of Promise Winery, Vintners Secret Vineyard, Cellar Door and Cafe, Ohana
Winery and Exotic Fruits and Brierley Wines.
Located in the heart of the charming
historic town of Childers, Queensland is Vintner’s Secret Vineyard! Actually,
it’s more than just a vineyard. It’s a café, cellar door and farm, too!
Drive past the lush rolling hills of fertile red dirt
and cross the mighty Bruce Highway for a short scenic drive to Vintner's Secret
Vineyard.
There are several grape varieties
including Marsanne, Verdelho, Shiraz, Cabernet and Merlot that are produced to
make dry and sweet reds, whites, reserves, blends, sparkling and fortified
styles of wine at Vintner’s Secret Vineyard.
The farm has spacious gardens with
sculptures, water features, rose beds and shaded seating. There is also a
viewing deck that takes in sweeping views of serene pastures and rolling hills.
You can interact with a variety of friendly domestic animals that are great if
you bring your children along!
New
South Wales
Murrumbateman's premium cool climate
family owned wineries. Shaw Vineyard Estate is located only 30 minutes north of
Canberra where the picturesque setting offers a relaxing escape amongst the
vineyards.
The stunning cellar door facility allows you to try their range of cool climate wines and houses an exquisite ceramics sales gallery of handmade and painted Italian ceramics exclusively sourced from Italy.
The property is an impressionist
masterpiece in the Springtime, with soft light, roses out in bloom and alpacas
quietly grazing over the fence. There are also a few historical houses you can
see tucked away as you drive in, which is part of the historical background of
this unique location. The Shaw family bought this 19th century property in 1998
and at the time, it was a 700 acre sheep property producing fine wool in the
region. Today this cool climate winery, sitting at an elevation of 640 metres,
produces Riesling, Semillon, Merlot, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon on 85 acres
on the property. You can taste a range of these wines at the Cellar
Door and buy some to take home.
Everyone who visits this winery
can't help but appreciate its charming rural location and Springtime floral
displays - where the only sounds you can hear are the bees buzzing over the
blooms.
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