Good Wine and Great Company: 7 Wineries Made for A Friends Getaway

For more than two decades, the team at Murray Street in the Barossa Valley have been pushing the boundaries of what is possible with the craft of winemaking. Visiting the winery, you’ll see how seriously the team takes artisanal winemaking – they hand-select their grapes and mature with fine lees to achieve the perfect balance of body and texture. But they keep the atmosphere fun and relaxed, too. This is precisely what you’ll experience when you enjoy superb Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties within the Greenock hillside vineyard setting.

If you’re in search of New South Wales’ finest wineries, the Hunter Valley is a fine place to start. And the Glandore Estate has to be one of the picks of a very impressive bunch. It’s hard not to get swept up by the beauty of the setting, as vineyards roll away towards the horizon and the Brokenback Range rises in the distance. At the Estate’s Cellarhands Lounge, you have the chance to sample the very best in local wines, pairing expertly produced vintages with a range of cheese, chocolate and sourdough accompaniments.

Another of the Hunter Valley’s gems is Tulloch Wines at Pokolbin. Tulloch is part of the old guard of this storied region of NSW. For more than 130 years, four generations of the Tulloch family have been crafting delicious blends from grapes grown on the site. With some of the most idyllic winery accommodation options found nearby, the Hunter Valley Cellar Door space makes for a charming getaway. Indulge your tastebuds with an exclusive portfolio of wines, including vintages only available at the Pokolbin site.

Situated on Victoria’s charming Bellarine Peninsula, the 27-acre Bellarine Estate is somewhere you’ll love to visit but might find very difficult to leave. With 16 wines produced each year, covering Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz, there’s certainly plenty for you to enjoy, while the beguiling setting feels pleasingly removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The Estate’s Cellar Door offers carefully matched wine and charcuterie dining options, while the nearby Thirty Acres Distillery provides an extensive range of expertly crafted spirits.

Home to the winery-heaven of Margaret River and the Blackwood Valley, the southwestern tip of Western Australia is one of the country’s prime wine-producing regions. And Denmark sits at the heart of the action in Blackwood. Perhaps ‘action’ is a little strong – a visit to The Lake House Denmark is an exercise in tranquillity and relaxation, accompanied by some of WA’s finest Shiraz, Riesling and Chardonnay varieties. Enjoy incredible food in the lush verdant setting of Denmark. Embark on a getaway that you and your friends will be talking about for many years to come, in a corner of WA that is not to be overlooked.

Only a few hours from Brisbane, Moffatdale Ridge feels like a million miles from the big city. This stunning location won’t fail to take your breath away, as you take in the rich landscape and century-long tradition of fine winemaking in the South Burnett region. With winery tours available, the team at Moffatdale Ridge are eager to share their passion and process with their valued visitors. And of course, the vineyard's premium wines and liqueurs are available to sample.