3 Lesser Known Places to Visit in the Hunter Valley, Adelaide Hills and Yarra Valley for your Australian getaway!
With international borders still closed for the foreseeable future, this summer will be a good opportunity to see all that beautiful Australia has to offer. Why not use your summer holidays to escape to grape country?
Whether it’s visiting a vineyard, checking out a new wine bar or dining in a regional restaurant, there’s no better way to spend the long weekend than jumping into the vinuous treasures on your doorstep.
Here are a few of our favourites.
Hunter Valley
Bistro Molines
749 Mount View Rd, Mount View NSW 2325
For a long time recognised as one of the best reaturants in the Hunter, this classic dining room just never seems to tire.
There’s always brilliantly cooked poultry, a stellar cheese selection and a great wine list of course.
French-leaning, but thoroughly modern, this is a great example of a country bistro.
Peterson’s
552 Mount View Rd, Mount View, NSW 2325
There is actually a second cellar door in Pokolbin, but I prefer this one for its charming interior and great views.
Since 1981 Peterson’s have been making a great range of wines from premium Hunter Valley fruit.
There’s Semillon of course, and Shiraz, and an excellent selection of sparkling wines. A great Hunter Valley visit, full of history and great wine.
Tyrrell’s
1838 Broke Road Pokolbin NSW 2320
One of the true icons of the Hunter Valley, Tyrrell’s have been in operation since 1864. Over these many decades, they have been producing high-quality wine from their own vineyards and from conscientious growers, gradually growing to become not only a Hunter Valley name, but a highly regarded producer across the entire country.
A visit to their cellar door enables you to taste widely and discover some of their history.
Yarra Valley
Graceburn Wine Room
11a Green Street, Healesville 3777
phone 03 5962 3704
A wine bar/cellar door owned by Yarra vigneron Mac Forbes, this is a really great spot to hang out for a few hours and get the lowdown on the next big thing in the Yarra Valley.
A great bottleshop, with knowledgeable staff, and a superb range of wines, ranging from local gems to international oddities.
Plus, there’s Mac’s entire back catalogue to drink through, and they’re all at amazing prices. Don’t miss this
Oakridge
864 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream VIC 3770
This is hands down the best place to have lunch in the Yarra Valley. A stunning combination of incredible wines as well as an award-winning restaurant – what more could you ask for?
Oakridge Head Winemaker David Bicknell was recently awarded the Gourmet Traveller ‘Winemaker of the Year’ a couple years back, and the husband/wife team of Matt Stone and Jo Barrett run one of the sharpest kitchens in Victoria, with stunning food that is fed by the onsite garden.
Innocent Bystander
316-334 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville VIC 3777
For a more casual lunch, or dinner, or just a few post-wine tasting beers. A cellar door for the Innocent Bystander wines, with the added bonus of being a multi-use space – café, bar, tasting room….whatever you want.
All the Innocent Bystander wines are served on tap, sparkling fresh, and the pizza from the kitchen is some of the best in the Yarra.
A great buzz and the perfect place to spend a few hours.
Adelaide Hills
Summertown Aristologist
1097 Greenhill Rd, Summertown SA 5141
A relatively new addition to the Adelaide Hills vinous landscape, this is the brainchild of Anton von Klopper, owner and winemaker of Lucy Margaux.
He’s teamed up with local restaurant guru, most recently of one of Australia’s leading restaurants, Orana.
The food is simple but nourishing and the wine takes the path less travelled, with plenty of bottles made without any added preservatives.
Lost in a Forest
1203 Greenhill Rd, Uraidla SA 5142
Another winemaker-backed venture, this pizza den in an old church is a sight to behold.
Run by a bunch of mates that includes Taras Ochota from Ochota Barrels (winery just up the road!), the fitout wouldn’t be out of place in Fitzroy, and the pizzas are seriously quality.
Plenty of local wines available to taste, along with a rotating list of other interesting drops.
Plus, the landing upstairs is a great spot for a larger group.
The Lane
5 Ravenswood Ln, Hahndorf SA 5245
A prime spot to gaze out over the rolling Adelaide Hills and enjoy some of the best food in the state.
The Lane has been around for over a decade now, meaning it’s not part of the old guard but has some degree of maturity in its offering. This really shines through with the complete hospitality package they offer, from the cellar door to the restaurant.
The wines are a crystal clear expression of the Adelaide Hills, from Pinot Noir to Syrah to their multi-award-winning Chardonnays.
Book ahead, take your time and enjoy the view.
Now that you're all sorted for the Easter weekend, why not check out our fun palate profile quiz here and we’ll recommend three bottles that we think you'll love according to your results?