Put a Spring in Your Step at these 6 Wineries and Restaurants

There’s no better time than Spring to head to a local winery for a tasting or meal overlooking lush vines – maybe even plan a road trip to discover new dining horizons for the new season.

Whether you are heading to a familiar venue or taking the road less travelled, you won’t be disappointed with a visit to one of these six destinations:

Indulge in exceptional single-vineyard wines while soaking up mesmerising vineyard and mountain vistas at Oakridge Restaurant on Maroondah Highway in Coldstream. This winery, cellar door and restaurant nestled in Victoria’s breath-taking Yarra Valley dishes up destination dining at its best with an innovative, ever-evolving menu showcasing seasonal, sustainably-farmed produce from the estate and surrounding region with everything house-made from cheese to bread and smallgoods.

 

Enjoy offerings like BBQ wallaby loin, beetroot, rainforest cherry and chard, paired with a glass of 864 Winery Block Cabernet Sauvignon, or devour slow-cooked pork belly, BBQ sauce, baby broccoli and charred onion oil with a glass of 864 Oakridge Close Planted Syrah.

Sitting at the foothills of the Snowy Mountain range, Courabyra Wines Restaurant on Courabyra Road in Tumbarumba offers tantalising wines and tastebud-tingling meals with a scenic alpine backdrop. Mingle with friends and family on the wide verandah to enjoy the sun with a glass of wine and share platter, or head indoors where a cosy fireplace sets the scene for dining in cooler months.

 

Take a minute to peruse a seasonal menu offering the likes of tempura battered coconut prawns and mango chilli salsa to start, then delve into main plates such as dukkah-crusted lamb backstrap, served on roast vegetable salad, best enjoyed with a glass of 805 Pinot Noir.

Celebrate some of life's greatest pleasures with a wining and dining experience at Home Hill Winery Restaurant, located onsite at family-owned and run Home Hill Estate in Ranelagh. Inside a rustic building nestled among the lush landscape of a Tasmanian vineyard, this venue offers comfort and class with a tastefully appointed dining area and welcoming ambience.

No matter the occasion, lunch here is sure to delight with a menu that proudly reflects a vibrant Tasmanian heritage, incorporating locally sourced seafood, some of the state's finest produce and the winery's award-winning drops. Opt for dishes such as market fish with Hokkaido scallops, sweet corn and jalapeño verde, brandade croquette and olive; finish sweetly with Sicilian apple cake and vanilla bean ice cream.

Taste the quality of Great Southern and Western Australian produce while enjoying estate-grown wines at Monty's Leap on South Coast Highway in Albany. Based on the banks of the ancient Kalgan River, the vineyard, cellar door and restaurant offer beautiful vistas overlooking the vines; ideal for lingering over a leisurely lunch with family and friends, from an ever-changing menu showcasing seasonal and local ingredients.

Start with BBQ octopus, chorizo, nduja salsa, pickled potato and lime mayo, following on with mains of lamb, smoked labneh, muhammara and pomegranate, or pan-fried ricotta gnocchi, kale, pumpkin, sage, Parmesan and beurre noisette; make sure to leave room for chocolate cake, hazelnuts, salted whey caramel and ice cream.

Situated on the famed Cambrian-era soils of Heathcote, Sanguine Estate on Shurans Lane is an ideal location to soak up scenic views and enjoy a taste of unspoilt flavours. Established in 1996 and producing the first vintage in 2000, Sanguine’s family-run award-winning boutique winery aptly reflects a passion for natural winemaking, taking place within flourishing surrounds.

 

More than 50 acres of thriving vines are the backbone behind Sanguine’s range, lovingly crafted into memorable drops including Shiraz, Chardonnay, Tempranillo, Rose and Cabernet. At the RED five-star James Halliday-rated winery and cellar door, you’ll be greeted by one of the Hunter family to enjoy tastings of highly awarded wines. Open weekends from 11 am-5 pm, wines can also be ordered online for door-to-door delivery.

Locals and visitors alike discover a relaxing winery experience in the heart of Tamborine Mountain at Mason Wines Restaurant on Hartley Road. Sweeping views, beautiful wines and fare with flair will keep you coming back for more at this Gold Coast Hinterland dining destination, where lush greenery and a rustic cellar door promise memories to last a lifetime.

 

Perhaps pair a glass of estate Chardonnay with plates like sous vide and char-grilled Moreton Bay bug tails, braised fennel, seafood bisque and finger lime; for the main affair, think twice-cooked crispy pork belly, chilli caramel and Asian slaw, accompanied by a glass of Shiraz.