Australia is dotted with world-class wine regions.
And among them there are so many alluring wineries to sample a tasty tipple.
Looking for something from the top drawer? Our friends at Laithwaite's Wine People have put together this fine collection of cellar doors that stands out from a crowd.
Check them out on your next BIG4 break.
Hither & Yon is located in the historical town of Willunga. Its cellar door was originally the town’s butcher shop, built in the 1860s. The whole thing is a family affair, with brothers Richard and Malcolm Leask at the helm with Dad in the background. The winery follows sustainable practices and produces exciting wines with unmistakable McLaren Vale quality.
Try the…2018 Nero d’Avola. Italian inspired but Aussie through and through. And it has a gold medal, a trophy, and 96 points!
Fun fact: The gorgeous wine labels feature beautiful ampersands and are designed by local artists.
Nearby accommodation: BIG4 Port Willunga, BIG4 Cape Jervis, BIG4 Mount Compass, BIG4 Normanville Jetty, BIG4 Breeze - Port Elliot.
RedHeads began life in a tiny shed in the backyard. It was a safe haven and a hub of creativity where winemakers would moonlight away from their day jobs at big wineries to make the wines they actually wanted to create. Now, the winery has a permanent home in the Barossa Valley. In 2019, the doors to this new eco-friendly, sustainable cellar door opened to the public.
Try the…2018 Barossa Valley Shiraz. It’s called 1888, named after the oldest building on the site and the year it was built.
Big tip: Devote plenty of time to enjoy this brand-new eco-friendly winery in the heart of the Barossa. It’s worth it.
Nearby accommodation: BIG4 Barossa Tourist Park.
Located in the picturesque cool-climate Southern Highlands region, Artemis Wines is a gorgeous winery a little off the beaten track. It’s run by winemaker brothers Mark and Anton Balog, who were the first winemakers to plant Pinot Noir in the region. You can see why people call them the Pinot Pioneers! In 2019, Artemis was awarded Best Small Cellar Door.
Try the…Pinot Noir, obviously! The 2016 ‘Close Vine’ is particularly special – it is estate grown and handpicked. Delicious.
Big tip: On Sundays, the winery makes awesome woodfired pizzas outside on the lawn for lunch, weather permitting.
Nearest BIG4 accommodation: BIG4 Governor's Hill Carapark, Goulburn or BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park, Kiama.
Move over, wine. At least for a moment. Alice Springs Brewing Co. is perfect for the craft beer lover who doesn't take themselves or anything too seriously! Alice Springs Brewing Co. is the Red Centre's only operating brewery. All beers are brewed on site using quality ingredients from Australia and the world.
Try the…Almost Summer pale ale. If you close your eyes and concentrate really hard, you might be fooled into thinking it is a Prosecco!
Big tip: On Thursdays, the brewery has a 1kg chicken wings special.
Holm Oak has been a labour of love for winemaker Rebecca Duffy and her viticulturalist husband Tim. The winery takes its name from a slice of history: in the 1930s, Alexander Patent Racquet Co. selected the site for cultivation of Holm Oak trees, intended for use in the production of tennis racquets. Sadly for them – but lucky for us – the wood wasn’t up to standard, and the land was turned into vineyards.
Try the…2018 ‘The Wizard’ Pinot Noir. It’s named after a famous tennis racquet of the same name that Aussie Jack Crawford used when he won Wimbledon in 1933.
Fun fact: The winery’s general manager is Pinot the Pig! While he takes his position very seriously, you’ll probably find him napping in the hay.
Nearby accommodation: BIG4 Kelso Sands Holiday and Native Wildlife Park or BIG4 Launceston Holiday Park.
Coombe was once the home of one of Australia’s most famous opera singers – Dame Nellie Melba. The estate is truly unique and memorable and even has a gallery dedicated to Dame Nellie. The estate-grown boutique wines are produced in small batches, ensuring quality in every bottle. The range features fine, traditional-style sparkling and elegant, expressive cool-climate table wines.
Try the…Estate Series Sparkling, a bright and lively wine from a blend of premium, estate-grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir fruit.
Big tip: Don’t miss the almost-3ha of stunning gardens. Guided walks run Wednesday-Saturday at 11am.
Nearby accommodation: BIG4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park, Healesville.
At Tucks, wine tasting just got a whole lot more fun. Put your tastebuds to the test with a blind wine tasting experience! Alternatively, go on your own wine adventure with a Tucks Box of four tasty wines for a self-guided tour. Enjoy an afternoon on the terrace or the lawn chairs, order a few jugs of delicious fruity wine cocktails, and soak up stunning vineyard views. Most weekends there’s live music, too.
Try the…NOW range of wines at Tucks. Loveable, honest wine without the price tag.
Big tip: Arrive hungry! There are food options galore.
Nearby accommodation: BIG4 Mornington Peninsula Holiday Park.
If you love visiting wineries to check out the amazing cellar doors, then Amelia Park in WA’s gorgeous Margaret River region is for you. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a cellar door that can rival the dimly-lit, barrel-lined, modern yet rustic entrance. It has been named one of Australia’s best cellar doors by Gourmet Traveller and, lucky for you, the service and calibre of the wines are also world class!
Try the…2016 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc. It’s beautifully crisp with hints of lime and melon; exactly what you want from a WA white.
Fun fact: Winemaker Jeremy Gordon has received Australia’s highest wine award – the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy – so you know you’re in good hands!
Nearby accommodation: BIG4 Taunton Farm Margaret River, BIG4 Breeze - Busselton, Mandalay Holiday Resort, RAC Busselton or BIG4 Bunbury Riverside.
The winery takes its name from the resident geese that parade gracefully in single file each day at dusk en route to the lake below the vineyards. Singlefile's wines are expressions of the unique terroir of the Great Southern wine region, which imparts distinctive attributes to the parcels of fruit that alight in the winery. Bringing a picnic for lunch in the grounds is highly encouraged.
Try the…Great Southern range, wines based on crafting superb drops from the best parcels from the region.
Big tip: Add a chocolate-and-wine pairing experience to your tasting.
Nearby accommodation: BIG4 Denmark Ocean Beach Holiday Park.
Stumble upon history in the making. The heritage venue captures the magnificence of its rich past – it has been home to three Queensland premiers and also the Carmelite nuns. And it’s seriously inviting for a drink or lunch. Keen to sit out on a large veranda enjoying a delightful al fresco meal and gazing out at the sweeping hills? This is your spot.
Try the…Sparkling Red. If you’ve never had a fizzy red wine, here is the perfect place to try one.
Big tip: Take a stroll around the historic 1800s homesteads. You might even meet some friendly farm animals!
Nearby accommodation: BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park or NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Park.
