Australia has more than 2,400 wineries in 65 wine regions around the country. These regions grow more than 100 grape varieties that end up in the more than 30 million glasses of Australian wine consumed around the world every day. Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia is a consortium of high-end, award-winning wineries offering behind-the-scenes wine, food and adventure experiences including barrel, private and structured tastings, food and wine matching, wine blending and cooking classes and picnics in spectacular locations. There are also easy-to-follow wine trail itineraries with suggestions from locals as to how to best explore Australia's wine regions.
Beyond the Glass: A Tour of d'Arenberg's Winery
In Australia's south, wine is their love language. Find yourself strolling through the vineyards at d'Arenberg in South Australia's McLaren Vale. As a truly unique winery experience, you'll find the cellar door on the top level of the newly opened architectural masterpiece, d'Arenberg Cube. At d'Arenberg, traditional winemaking processes are maintained with wines made in small batches and grapes basket-pressed. Reds are traditionally fermented and foot treading is still used. Taste wines at the new, quirky Cube tasting room, or take on the role of winemaker by blending and naming your own wine at the Blending Bench followed by lunch at d'Arry's Verandah, one of South Australia's most highly awarded restaurants.
Sip and Savour at Brown Brothers, Victoria
In the state known for its good food and great wine, Victoria boasts a plethora of fine wineries. Immerse yourself in a true trailblazing experience at the Brown Brothers winery, located just three hours from Melbourne. Here you will find four generations of knowledge, as the Brown family have experimented with a wide range of grape varieties. Chill out in your very own private Prosecco Lounge where you can taste your way through the entire Brown Brothers' Prosecco range as you indulge in a gourmet spread of freshly baked sweets and pastries, local Milawa cheeses, house-made delicacies, terrines and seasonal fruits. Or join the chefs in the kitchen garden and help forage for produce to include in your exclusively designed lunch menu, perfectly matched to Brown Brothers wine.
The Ultimate Degustation: Voyager Estate, Western Australia
Travel out west and let your taste buds swoon over the magical tones of wines from the Margaret River. The Voyager Estate, which is located just three hours from Perth by car, invites visitors to immerse themselves in a journey from the vineyard to the table. Tour the Estate to taste wine straight from the barrel and see the underground barrel cellar before indulging in a true degustation. In the stunning cellar door, surrounded by pristine gardens, take a private tasting that offers a fun and interactive way to learn more about wine.
Wine, food and good company are some of life's sweetest treats. Luckily, Australia has no shortage of fine wines and well-kept vineyards. Whether red tickles your fancy or you opt for white, there is a winery suited to all palettes.
If all that wine has well and truly whet your appetite, consider a culinary journey through Australia's festivals for more foodie culture Down Under.
