If you’ve ever taken a wine tasting tour, you’ve probably thought of Yarra Valley wines or those bigger wineries along Maroondah Highway. After all, there’s no doubt that these wineries are popular for their award-winning wines.
But if you’re looking for a wine-centric experience that will take you off the beaten path, there are a few places in the Hills worth checking out. While each wine region has its unique flavour profile, all of these places offer something different regarding wine tasting.
Here are the famous places you should check out on your next wine tasting tour:
Panton Hill Vineyard and Winery
As one of the small, family-run wineries, Panton Hill has become a favourite destination for wine enthusiasts who appreciate high-quality wines at reasonable prices. The winery’s grapes are sourced from the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the wines are aged in traditional French oak barrels.
Panton Hill is a great place to start if you’re looking for a unique wine-tasting experience. The winery offers tastings, as well as vineyard tours and winery dinners. On Saturdays, sample the homey Mediterranean-style food, and on Sundays, bring your picnic and let the winemakers pour you a glass of their labour of love.
Nillumbik Estate
Nillumbik Estate is the ideal place if you want a family-friendly and casual winery tour experience that will leave you with a great bottle of wine. The vineyard is located in the Yarra Ranges, and the estate has been family-owned and operated since 1978. The winery’s grapes are sourced from the Yarra Valley, and the wines are aged in traditional French oak barrels.
On the estate, you can enjoy a family-friendly wine tasting tour, a picnic in the vineyard, winery dinners, and even wine-tasting classes for the more adventurous wine lovers. The winery also offers a variety of wine-related products, including wine glasses, wine coolers, and wine-related gifts.
Rising Wines
If you’re in for a wine that screams “proactive in-action,” Rising Wines is the best place for you. Winemaker Anthony Fikkers says wine tasting must be “an experience, not a lecture. It should be about uncovering flavours and aromas, not about learning about wine production.”
This means that from the vineyard up to the bottle, their wine products are designed to be fun and easy to drink, focusing on the senses of taste, smell, and sight. Plus, their wines emphasise sustainability and the environment, making them a great option for those looking to support sustainable agriculture.
Shaws Road Winery
As one of the hidden gems in the Hills, Shaws Road Winery is a top destination for wine lovers looking for something unique. With a focus on traditional wine-making methods, their wines are made with a unique blend of varietals that results in some truly unique flavours.
While their wines are not always easy to find, their commitment to quality and unique wines makes them well worth the search. Their wine tours are a great way to learn more about the winemaking process and taste some of their amazing wines.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for some of the best wine estates in the hills, look no further than these top picks. Each offers a unique and quintessential wine-tasting experience and something special that you won’t find at any other vineyard in the area.
From elegant wineries with stunning views to small family-owned operations that are perfect for wine lovers on a budget, these are the places to visit if you want to experience the best wine in the hills.
Limousine Wine Tours is here for you if you’re looking forward to visiting these places. We provide affordable, high-quality wine tasting tours around Melbourne’s Yarra Valley & Mornington regions. Contact us today for more information!