Whether you’re drawn by cool-climate wines, striking architecture or long lunches among the vines, these four cellar doors deliver memorable summer experiences across some of Australia’s most celebrated regions.
Keen on lounging outside while sipping a glass of wine? The Brown Brothers cellar door in the King Valley allows you to sip and graze in comfy beanbags in the garden. After guided tastings? Stop by the Oakridge Wines cellar door in the Yarra Valley for a Chardonnay Masterclass or 864 Single-Block Flight.
And if you want to extend your stay, Helen & Joey Estate in the Yarra Valley offers luxury accommodation, alongside guided and private tastings at the cellar door. Likewise, Tamar Ridge in Tasmania is the ideal spot for enjoying a bespoke summer experience. You can create your own artisanal charcuterie platter and relax on the lawn, enjoying views of the Tamar Valley with a glass in hand.
Brown Brothers – King Valley, VIC
Brown Brothers Head of Venues Georgia Beavis says: We’ve been here in the Milawa region of the King Valley since 1889, which means we’ve seen a lot of harvest seasons and sipped a few chardonnays. Four generations of winemakers later, we’re still as excited by a new-release sparkling, or the aged 1980 Malbec that only comes out on special occasions. We want to keep making great wine for great people.
What can guests expect from a visit to your cellar door?
You’ll find a vibrant lineup of new spritz flavours – bright, refreshing and made for long, sunny afternoons. You’ll also spot our Prosecco in aluminium, a modern take on a Brown Brothers favourite that's easy to chill and perfect for picnics in the gardens. For those looking to elevate the experience, Brown Brothers Restaurant offers hatted dining that is truly dedicated to the art of wine and food matching, with seasonal menus crafted around the kitchen garden and local producers.
What other kinds of experiences do you offer to visitors in summer?
The Moscato Picnic is summer relaxation at its best. Begin with a tasting at cellar door before selecting your favourite bottle – moscato or otherwise – to take with you. Then settle into a private picnic spot among the gardens, complete with grazing, comfy beanbags and vineyard views. For those who love to go deeper, the Cellar Collection Experience offers access to some of our most limited and expressive wines. Guided by a knowledgeable host, you’ll explore back-vintage and small-batch releases, uncovering the stories, craftsmanship and innovation behind each bottle. The Tour & Taste takes you behind the scenes. Travel through the winery and historical buildings as you learn about Brown Brothers’ history, innovation and the land that shapes our wines, before returning to the cellar door for a guided tasting that brings it all together.
brownbrothers.com.au | 244 Milawa-Bobinawarrah Rd, Milawa VIC 3678 | Open 9am–5pm, daily (closed Christmas Day)
Helen & Joey Estate – Yarra Valley, VIC
Kristy Williamson of Re'em Yarra Valley says: The Helen & Joey cellar door, within Re’em Yarra Valley, offers a welcoming and refined space to explore the wines grown and made on our Spring Lane estate. Bright, airy and thoughtfully designed, the cellar door provides an inviting setting to taste through our range, from vibrant Unicorn wines to the more expressive Wayward Child and our premium and limited Re’em range.
What can guests expect from a visit to your cellar door?
Guided tastings focus on storytelling as much as flavour, giving visitors insight into our vineyard, winemaking philosophy and the people behind each label. Every wine is crafted exclusively from our estate-grown fruit, allowing each tasting to reflect the character of the land and the season in which it was grown. For those seeking a more intimate experience, guests are invited downstairs to our private tasting room. As you descend the art deco staircase, you will pass a garden of ferns and a custom glass installation by Melbourne artist Mark Douglas before arriving among the oak barrels. This 12-seat space offers a deeper connection to the winery and is ideal for hosted tastings and private experiences.
What other kinds of experiences do you offer to visitors in summer?
Beyond the tasting spaces, guests are encouraged to enjoy a leisurely stroll around the ornamental lake, settle into a quiet corner of the gardens, or simply relax on the balcony with a glass of wine while taking in views of the vineyard and surrounding hills. The Helen & Joey Cellar Door sits alongside the broader Re’em Yarra Valley experience, which is also home to a one-hat restaurant and a 16-room boutique hotel. Together, they create a destination where wine, food and hospitality come together seamlessly, inviting guests to linger, explore and return.
helenandjoeyestate.com.au | 12–14 Spring Ln, Gruyere VIC 3770
Oakridge Wines – Yarra Valley, VIC
Cellar Door Manager Francis Phamnguyen says: Oakridge Wines has been capturing the spirit of the Yarra Valley for over four decades. Our wines are 100 per cent hand-picked, ensuring only the best grapes are used. In the winery, we keep it simple, pursuing natural winemaking methods. Our range features flagship cool-climate varieties such as chardonnay, pinot noir, syrah and cabernet sauvignon, perfectly expressing what the Yarra Valley's specific sites can deliver.
What can guests expect from a visit to your cellar door?
Guests visiting our architecturally designed Coldstream cellar door can expect a unique, premium visit focused on passionate and personable service. The spectacular, modern venue offers exceptional views of the vineyard and mountains, which can be enjoyed from the cozy indoors or our outdoor terrace. Our expert cellar team guides visitors through various detailed tasting experiences, including seated premium flights such as the Chardonnay Masterclass and the 864 Single-Block Flight. These focus on our Local Vineyard Series and iconic 864 Single-Block ranges. The flights showcase the distinct differences between our Upper Yarra sites and the subtle nuances of each wine, reflecting our commitment to site-specific winemaking and the unique terroir.
What other kinds of experiences do you offer to visitors in summer?
Our extensive wine list offers over 40 wines by the glass, allowing guests to sample ageworthy wines, including rare Museum Room back-vintages. This unique access, combined with a seamless experience, makes Oakridge a must-visit destination this summer.
oakridgewines.com.au | 864 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream VIC 3770 | Open 10am–5pm, daily (closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day)
Tamar Ridge – Tamar Valley, TAS
Winemaker Tom Wallace says: At Tamar Ridge, we believe in crafting the exceptional. We are devoted to the pursuit of excellence, from our nurtured vineyards to the art of winemaking, every detail reflects our commitment to quality. Nestled in the heart of the Tamar Valley, on the west banks of the Tamar River (just a short 20-minute journey from Launceston), we aim to deliver our guests the very best in luxury wine experiences.
What can guests expect from a visit to your cellar door?
From January 27–31, 2026, Tamar Ridge welcomes Grazing Daisy to our cellar door for a bespoke summer experience. Create your own artisanal charcuterie platter and relax on our lawn, soaking in the panoramic views of the Tamar Valley. While here, linger a little longer and indulge in a PIRIE Tasmania sparkling tasting. Our home also shares a unique connection with our neighbour Turners Stillhouse (Three Cuts Gin), where award-winning spirits are aged in our chardonnay and pinot noir barrels. Join one of their exclusive tours this summer and discover the artistry behind these exceptional creations.
What other kinds of experiences do you offer to visitors in summer?
This summer, Tamar Ridge invites you to indulge in an elevated cellar door experience. Discover our premium selection of white and red wines, guided by our expert team, or embark on the ultimate journey for pinot noir enthusiasts, exploring five distinctive expressions of Tamar Ridge. From elegant Estate and Reserve releases to the acclaimed Research Series and single-site wines as well as the iconic Grand Assemblage, this curated tasting celebrates the exceptional quality of our cool-climate Tasmanian wines.
tamarridge.com.au | 1A Waldhorn Dr, Rosevears TAS 7277 | Open 10am–5pm, daily (closed Christmas Day)
Top image credit: Oakridge Wines
