The land down under is famous for its beaches, the outback, and of course, the Great Barrier Reef. But did you know that Australia is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to wine production? It’s largely thanks to one particular grape varietal that really put the country on the wine map – Shiraz.
Where do I fit in? Glad you asked! I’m here to provide my first-hand experience to guide you through the best Australia winery tours.
Since the ’90s, wine production has literally tripled in Australia thanks to this French varietal (Syrah in France), reaching around 1.3 billion litres in the 2021/2022 season. That’s a whopping 1.7 billion bottles! Try wrapping your head around that.
Wine tourism is rife and growing in Australia, with more than 5.5 million visitors to wineries each year.
Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and focus on why we’re here. The purpose of this article is to sort through some of the best winery tours in Australia for your convenience.
These are locally run tours that are guided by highly experienced individuals who know their regions and wines like the backs of their hands.
So, let’s get down to business!
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
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What is a Vineyard Tour?
Now, before we get down to the wine regions you need to travel to on your Australia trip, it’s important to establish what exactly a vineyard tour is. In a nutshell, a vineyard tour encompasses a whole lot more than just a walk through the vineyards. It usually involves getting picked up from your accommodation and driven out to the wine region that you’ve decided to explore.
From there, you will learn everything that there is to know about the region as well as the estates that are included in the winery tour. There are usually at least two or three wineries included on any organized tour (I personally wouldn’t settle for any less). You will learn about the varietals that are planted on the estate, the production techniques, cellaring, and ageing of the wines.
But the best part is yet to come (and the real reason why I love winery tours) – you will get to taste and drink delicious wines throughout the day. Each winery will present a few of their wines for you to taste and sometimes there will be a local lunch involved with, you guessed it, more wine.
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Wine Regions of Australia
Right, now let’s take a look at some of the top wine regions in Australia and what makes them so special. The land down under is blessed with many wine regions (thanks to the wine Gods), each with its own unique specialties and varietals that flourish there.
The great news is that no matter which region of Australia you choose to stay in, you can be sure that there’s going to be an epic vineyard not too far away. The beauty of choosing an organised vineyard visit is that you will have your own driver for the day. This means that you don’t need to worry about not knowing which winery to visit, getting lost, or drinking and driving – just another reason why a vineyard tour is the way to go!
Now here we are with the top Australian wine regions:
Barossa Valley
First up is the Barossa Valley, one of the six wine-producing areas that fall within South Australia, and arguably the most famous and recognized of them all. The Barossa Valley can be divided into two distinct areas – the higher altitude and cooler Eden Valley, and the warmer Western Barossa Valley. There is also little natural water and rainfall, leading to the majority of the vines being irrigated.
Shiraz is the most widely planted varietal in the region, making up around 56% of all plantings. It is usually made in a bold, intense, and powerful expression which has become synonymous with region. Aside from Shiraz, Riesling is also widely planted in the Eden Valley as well as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon, Chardonnay, Viognier, Grenache, and Mourvedre.
McLaren Vale
The McLaren Vale region of South Australia is found to the northwest of the Fleurieu Peninsula, 22 miles (35 kilometres) from the city of Adelaide. The wines are highly regarded throughout the world, making it one of the most important wine-producing regions in the Fleurieu zone.
There is a large variety of grape varietals grown in the McLaren Vale region, with Shiraz once again leading the charge. Mouvedre and Grenache are popular too, often blended together with Shiraz to produce GSM blends, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon.
Margaret River
Margaret River is the most famous wine region in Western Australia, with a much more European approach to wine-making practices. Located in the southwestern corner of Western Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon really put it on the wine map, so to speak. Other grapes that have gained popularity in the region include Chardonnay, Shiraz, Semillon, and Sauvignon Blanc.
It benefits from a very much maritime-influenced climate given its proximity to the ocean, with similarities to Bordeaux hence the wine styles produced. The Leeuwin-Naturaliste ridge, comprised of both gneiss and granite, is covered with laterite soils which are rich in minerals such as iron and aluminum.
Yarra Valley
The Yarra Valley, which isn’t too far if you’re staying in Melbourne, is unusually contrasted to the norm. Instead of the big, bold Shiraz, the region focuses on a much brighter style of both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – a lot more Burgundian if you will. It is also one of the oldest wine-growing regions in Australia, with plantings dating back almost 200 years.
Cool climatic conditions, coupled with rolling hills make for favourable growing conditions for the Burgundian varietals. Some of the other notable varietals planted in the region include Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Given its elevation, the Yarra Valley is one of the coolest regions in the country, sometimes even experiencing unfavourable frost.
Hunter Valley
The Hunter Valley is often referred to as the birthplace of Australian wine and the most famous grape varietal in the region is Semillon, with plantings going back almost 200 years. The classic wine motto “it gets better with age” applies to Hunter Valley Semillon’s, with renditions only coming into their own after surpassing the 15-year mark.
Hunter Valley experiences small fluctuations in day/night temperatures and receives a fair bit of rainfall, both of which aren’t great for producing brilliant wines. That being said, cool afternoon breezes along with afternoon cloud cover help to counter the nasty effects of high humidity and temperature. As a result, winemakers can achieve low-alcohol wines with a high degree of phenolic ripeness – the holy grail.
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View on Osprey View on REIThe Best Australia Winery Tours
Australia has more than 2,400 wineries across 65 regions spread throughout the country. That’s a shedload! With so many options, how is it possible to choose? Well, for starters, not all of them offer tours – phew.
However, it’s still pretty overwhelming to pick a couple when there are so many. There’s all the pressure in the world – are you picking the right one? Or the wrong one?
Luckily for you, I’ve done some digging, put in the research, and done the hard yards. I’ve scoured the tours, hand-selected, and chosen the best (in my humble opinion) winery tours in Australia that money can buy.
Let’s take a look at the top vineyard tours per region!
McLaren Vale Wine Tour
- Adelaide
- 7.5 hours
- $125
Did someone say small, intimate McLaren Vale winery tour?
The tour kicks off by picking you up from your accommodation in a luxury Mercedes Benz, followed by a 45-minute drive to the wine region. You then have the choice of where you’d like to taste, depending on your preference. Some of the wineries are even off the beaten track, which is highly appealing to some oenophiles.
After tasting with some of the region’s winemakers and learning about each estate’s wine-making practices, you will head off for lunch. The lunch is comprised of local produce such as cheese, meats, breads, and salads. After lunch, you have the choice to head to more wineries or expand the tour and visit some local gin rooms and craft breweries before heading back into the city.
Yarra Valley Wine Tour
- Melbourne
- 8 hours
- $119
Next up on the best Australia winery tours list is a full-day visit to the Yarra Valley, departing from the city of Melbourne.
The day starts off with a visit to the Gateway Market for some fruit platters and a greenhouse tour. Once your stomach is lined, it’s off to the iconic Balgownie Estate for a tasting. You’ll learn all about their cool climate wines before heading off to the Coldstream Dairy for a cheese tasting. It’s then off to Rochford Wines for your second tasting of the day, followed by a delicious lunch.
After lunch, you’ll make your way to the final stop of the day – a chocolate tasting at the famous Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. It’s then back to the city where you will be dropped back at one of six locations, whichever is closest to your stay.
Barossa Valley Wine Tour
- Adelaide
- 8 hours
- $108
This full-day Barossa Valley winery tour begins in the city of Adelaide. The bus transcends through the Barossa Hills before stopping off at the first winery, Chateau Yaldara. After the informative tasting, you will get time to explore the property and tunnels below, before heading to the town of Tanunda for some free time.
It’s then off to Saltrams to learn about production practices and taste wines in the Cellar Door Barrel Hall. The tasting is then followed by a delicious lunch at Salters Kitchen, before heading to Menglers Hill for a picturesque view of the valley. It’s on to the final stop of the day at Rosenvale Winery, the most exclusive in the valley. After tasting their exquisite wines, the tour makes its way through Seppeltsfield for a quick snap of Date Palms before concluding back in Adelaide.
Margaret River Wine Tour
- Busselton
- 4 hours
- $71
Next up is the half-day Margaret River wine tour, departing from the city of Busselton and starting with a bit of sightseeing at Cape Naturaliste. It’s then off to wine country, where you will be taken to two of the region’s wineries for an informative tasting of six wines. The tour also includes a sample of local olive oil, cheese, and chocolate.
Once the tasting has finished, you will be driven back to your drop-off point, but the scenic way around. Your guides will drive you through the Yallingup Hills where you’ll get to see the local Western Grey Kangaroos in their natural habitat. A nice little touch is the local coffee, tea, and handmade biscuits that are complimentary for guests on the tour.
Hunter Valley Wine Tour
- Pokolbin and Cessnock
- 4 hours
- $61
Last up is this half-day Hunter Valley wine tour that departs from either Pokolbin or Cessnock. It’s the perfect vineyard tour for those who are a bit pressed for time, but still want to discover some amazing wines. There are no less than three wineries included in the tour, at which you’ll learn all about their vineyards, wine production, and cellaring.
One of the wineries included in the tour is Two Fat Blokes Gourmet Kitchen. It is here, you will get to do the cheese and wine experience. How does tasting nine different cheeses with nine matching wines sound to you? With a full stomach and a satisfied pallet, you’ll be dropped back in Pokolbin or Cessnock.
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Final Thoughts on Australia Wine Tours
Right, that sadly brings us to a close – the end of the (wine) road, so to speak. I hope that this comprehensive guide of the best Australia winery tours has helped you in some way and inspired you to travel.
There’s a big wide wine world out there with plenty of delicious vino to be had – and it’s not going to drink itself. So, book that flight and accommodation and secure your spot on one of the many vineyard tours on offer. The Australian wine regions await.
Cheers mate!
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
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