Get to know these nine wineries from across the country

These nine wineries from New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland offer a range of unique wine experiences, from masterclasses to barrel tastings, vineyard tours and more. Learn more about each producer and discover which wineries to visit next.

Or, if you can't make the trip, click through to the winery websites below to shop their latest wines and enjoy from the comfort of your own home.

New South Wales

Mercer Wines – Hunter Valley, NSW

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After several years at the bastion of organic Hunter Valley viticulture, Tamburlaine, Aaron Mercer set out under his own banner. Aaron has been exposed to a litany of wine styles through his experience across the region, with stints at Tyrrell’s and Brokenwood, in addition to work in France, Germany and California, where he sourced fruit along the Central Coast from Bien Nacido, Paso Robles and Monterey. Yet it is the draw of the Hunter, where Mercer was born, that defines his current MO: crafting wines in small batches to showcase the Hunter’s best turf, complemented at times with fruit from cooler reaches of inter-regional NSW. – Ned Goodwin MW

4.5 ★ winery | mercerwines.com.au | Halliday profile

Tumblong Hills – Gundagai, NSW

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The large vineyard was originally established by Penfolds in 1998 as part of their Project Max initiative. In 2009, Danny Gilbert, Peter Leonard and Peter Waters acquired the vineyard and appointed Simon Robertson as vigneron and general manager. Simon knew the vineyard like the back of his hand, with experience spanning the wine regions of Hilltops, Tumbarumba and Gundagai. While shiraz and cabernet sauvignon were initially the dominant varieties, Simon has since transformed parts of the vineyard, introducing a range of alternative varieties, including fiano, chenin blanc, prosecco, sangiovese, nero d’Avola and barbera. – Tumblong Hills

tumblonghills.com | Halliday profile

Victoria

Marnong Estate – Sunbury, VIC

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Marnong Estate is an expansive $35 million property 18km north of Tullamarine airport, overlooking the Macedon Ranges. The 480ha estate is a working farm with Angus cattle. Aside from the restored 19th century homestead, modern facilities include a range of wedding and function venues, restaurant, wine bar, accommodation, farm shop and cellar door. In '16, the 1st vines went in following advice from Wine Network Consulting, with French-born Sandrine Gimon (ex-Rymill Estate, Coonawarra) leading the winemaking and Carl Duncan as the full-time vineyard manager. In '24, Alex Beckett (ex-Briar Ridge) took over from Sandrine. Already, about 16.5ha are under vine including shiraz, chardonnay, pinot noir, montepulciano, pinot grigio, fiano and sangiovese, with more to come. – Jane Faulkner

3 ★ winery | marnongestate.com.au | Halliday profile

Scotchmans Hill – Geelong, VIC

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Scotchmans Hill has been a consistent producer of well-made wines under the stewardship of long-term winemaker Robin Brockett and senior winemaker Marcus Holt. The wines are released under the Scotchmans Hill, Cornelius, Mount Bellarine, Jack & Jill and Swan Bay labels. – Scotchmans Hill

5 ★ winery | scotchmans.com.au | Halliday profile

Tahbilk – Nagambie Lakes, VIC

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Established in 1860, Tahbilk is one of Australia’s most beautiful and historic wineries, located in the Nagambie Lakes region of Central Victoria. Nestled amongst the backwaters and creeks of the Tahbilk Wetlands, the estate comprises 1214 a with an 11km frontage to the Goulburn River. – Tahbilk

5 ★ winery | tahbilk.com.au | Halliday profile

South Australia

HEAD Wines – Barossa Valley, SA

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In 1997, Alex Head finished a degree in biochemistry from Sydney University. Experience in fine wine stores, importers and an auction house was followed by vintage work at Tyrrell’s, Torbreck, Laughing Jack and Cirillo Estate. The names of his flagship reds reflect his fascination with Côte Rôtie in the northern Rhône – the two aspects in this famous appellation are known as Côte Blonde and Côte Brune. Head’s Blonde comes from an 1893 planted vineyard in Ebenezer on sand and fossilised limestone, while The Brunette comes from a 1906 planted vineyard in Moculta on red clays, ironstone and quartz. – HEAD Wines

5 ★ winery | headwines.com.au | Halliday profile

Yangarra Estate Vineyard – McLaren Vale, SA

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Yangarra Estate, set in the picturesque Blewitt Springs in the elevated north-east of McLaren Vale, is a distinguished certified organic and biodynamic single-vineyard estate. Across 170ha, corridors of native vegetation surround vineyard blocks dedicated solely to varieties of the southern Rhône, with a particular emphasis on the venerable old-bush vine grenache planted in 1946. Since 2000, winemaker Peter Fraser has championed a thoughtful, terroir-driven approach, crafting expressive, site-reflective wines through minimal intervention and the use of alternative vessels. At the cellar door, guests can enjoy guided tastings or delve deeper with the immersive High Sands experience, offering a rare insight into one of Australia’s great single vineyards. – Yangarra Estate Vineyard

5 ★ winery | yangarra.com | Halliday profile

Zerella Wines – McLaren Vale, SA

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In 1950, Ercole Zerella left his native Campania in southern Italy to seek a better life in SA. With a lifetime of farming and grapegrowing, the transition was seamless. Ercole’s son Vic followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming an icon of the SA farming and wine industries. He founded Tatachilla, where his son Jim began as a cellarhand. Jim purchased land in McLaren Vale and, with help from family and friends, established what is now the flagship vineyard of Zerella Wines. When Tatachilla was purchased by Lion Nathan in 2000 he declined the opportunity of continuing his role there and by 2006 had purchased two more vineyards, and become a shareholder in a third. These all now come under the umbrella of Zerella Wines, with its 58ha of vines. The winemaking techniques used are thoroughly à la mode and definitely not traditional Italian. – James Halliday

zerellawines.com.au | Halliday profile

Queensland

Balancing Heart – Granite Belt, QLD

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Balancing Heart Vineyard offers Queensland's most sophisticated wine experiences amid the Granite Belt's ancient landscapes. Under acclaimed winemaker Mike Hayes – Queensland's only AVSO Winemaker of the Year – guests enjoy intimate masterclasses, guided tastings and vineyard tours. These showcase Balancing Heart's minimal-intervention wines, reflecting European viticulture philosophy where the earth, seasons and time guide production. The exclusive Aficionado collection provides the ultimate tasting experience, reflecting Hayes' 40+ years of expertise. Set against dramatic granite formations, the cellar door offers privileged access to rare varieties and natural winemaking philosophy. Owned by Greg Kentish, this premier destination combines serious viticulture with unforgettable experiences for discerning wine enthusiasts. – Balancing Heart

balancingheart.com.au | Halliday profile