It’s not because of the Australian bush and the outback that you should visit the Land Down Under. Of course, this is a unique experience that you simply have to see at least once in your lifetime, but Australia offers so much besides the rural countryside and wild and untamed nature. Like the amazing wineries that can be found all around this spectacular country, and you definitely need to try their wine this year. If you happen to be traveling to Melbourne anytime soon, how about allocating a day or two and visiting some of the best wineries in the vicinity? It won’t take you a lot of time as the most beautiful ones are just under an hour’s drive from Melbourne, yet it will be an experience worth remembering. Which ones could you see?
Merrick’s Creek (around 1 hour)
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It depends where you’re starting from, but traveling from Melbourne to the Mornington Peninsula only takes about an hour. There, you will find one of the most beautiful wineries around Melbourne, a place called Merrick’s Creek. Once there, it won’t take you a long time to relax. You will definitely feel like you’re in a movie, in a town called Merrick’s Creek – that’s how authentic everything is. Moreover, you will most definitely like their standout Pinot Noir (which is acclaimed as one of the best wines in Australia) or the Estate Chardonnay. Make sure that you grab a table on the raised timber deck as the views are indeed spectacular, and you will have the feeling that you’re sitting in the vineyard which is meters away from you. Visiting this winery is great in both summer and winter, so anytime you choose to go there – be our guest!
Rob Dolan Wines (around 40 minutes)
If you want to feel like a protagonist of a movie set in the Victorian era, you definitely need to visit the Rob Dolan winery, one of the most popular wineries in Australia, let alone the Yarra Valley. Rob Dolan is an ex footballer who established this estate. Another good thing is that you even have a shopping center nearby, so you can always let the rest of the family have their own fun while you’re sipping on different wines, trying to find your favorite. You can drink your wine on the beautiful verandah or next to the fountain where the view is spectacular. Don’t forget to grab a couple of charcuterie items from cellar door, such as amazing cheeses, and pair them with the award-winning Pinot Noir. Definitely an amazing place in Warrandyte.
Olivigna (around 45 minutes)
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Speaking of amazing places in Warrandyte, there’s more than the Rob Dolan winery in the area. If you’re in search of some of the best Warrandyte restaurants that also offer amazing wine of their own, make sure to check out Olivigna. This place is a doorway to a true Tuscany experience, so it’s no wonder many people want to wine and dine here. Olivigna is an Italian restaurant with its own distillery and cellar door, which is mesmerizing. Once here, make sure that you try their Estate Wines, Gappa and Liqueurs. Not only is the environment astonishingly beautiful, but they also paid a lot of attention to the logo and the design of each bottle, so you will definitely love the whole package. Add the tastiest Italian food to the mix, and you’ve got yourself a must-visit place.
TarraWarra Estate (around an hour)
If you want to see TarraWarra, a town in Victoria which is very close to Melbourne, don’t miss out on the TarraWarra Estate, which is one of the region’s must-see destinations. It’s built on a hill, so this winery indeed offers one of the most amazing views. Not only does this contemporary architecture building offer a great cellar door, but the restaurant sits among the vineyard which is incredibly interesting. Don’t forget to try the Single Block and the Reserve Rangers – these are the best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines of the Estate and you will most certainly love them.
Kellybrook (around 30 minutes)
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And lastly, you can also visit the Kellybrook Winery, again one of the more popular wineries in the Yarra Valley. They are mostly known for their Cider festivals, and this is the main reason why many come to this destination. However, if you happen to be here after the festival, make sure to try their ciders as they are more known than their wines (which are also incredibly good).
Visiting Melbourne or another Australian city in the near future? Then add one more day to the list and visit at least one of these spectacular places. Trust us, you will make no mistake as you will get to enjoy the incredible taste of the wines along with extremely tasty food. And if you get a little tipsy, it’s good to have someone else there to drive the car, just in case!
Mia Taylor is a lifestyle blogger from Sydney and writer for www.highstylife.com. She loves writing about her life experiences. Traveling and enjoying other cultures and their food with her husband is a big part of her life. She is always on the lookout for new trends in fashion and beauty and considers herself an expert when it comes to lifestyle tips.
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