Travel Top wine regions, honeymoon hotspots
Wine buyer VIRGINIA SELLECK reveals where to sit back with a top drop and twinkling fire this winter
Our best wine regions are just waiting for your next romantic getaway, says Magnum + Queens sommelier Virginia Selleck. Here aare her top picks…
1 Clare Valley, SA
WHY A scenic two-hour drive nnorth of Adelaide, Clare – known for riesling – boasts cute B&BS and vineyards for days.
TOP DROPS With more than 30 cellar doors in the region, there’s plenty of choice, and while the area is known for its riesling, it does a good shiraz and cabernet, too. Check out Annie’s Lane, Grosset, Jim Barry, Shut The Gate, Pikes and Sevenhill Cellars – for starters.
MUST DOS Check out the view over brunch at Paulett Wines Bush Devine Cafe, enjoy a long lunch at historic winery Skillogalee, or dine at the uber-cool Seed Winehouse + Kitchen. Walk – or ride – it all off on the Riesling Trail (a railway line-turned-bike path) where you can stop off at cellar doors as you go.
VIRGINIA SAYS “You’re spoilt for choice in SA. The nearby Mclaren Vale is perfect for winter escapes, too.” clarevalley.com.au
2 Mornington Peninsula, Vic
WHY Specialising in pinot noir and chardonnay, Mornington wines are often compared favourably to drops from Burgundy in France. Ooh-la-la!
TOP DROPS Ocean Eight at Shoreham, Willow Creek, Port Phillip Estate with its stunning views and Ten Minutes By Tractor are some of the choice vineyards on offer.
MUST DOS Stay at Jackalope Hotel as a treat. Ten Minutes By Tractor’s restaurant and the Point Leo Estate Sculpture Park (and winery) are stunning, too.
VIRGINIA SAYS “The grapes really benefit from the maritime climate – and the wine, food and accommodation on the peninsula is just sensational.” visitmovisitmorningtonpeninsula.org
3 Hobart, Tasmania
WHY Tassie is a rising star when iit comes to cool-climate wines – and the Apple Islanders don’t skimp on the fine dining and fab accommodation either.
TOP DROPS The chardonnays and pinot noirs are delicious. The rieslings are fantastic, too.
MUST DOS A visit to the hipster Mona art gallery and Moorilla estate vineyard, complete with cool accommodation at the
4 Hunter Valley, NSW
WHY Thet Hunter, three hours from Sydney, is all about semillons. Check out quiet Broke Fordwich in the west.
TOP DROPS Margan Winery & Restaurant is the perfect one-stop shop, plus cellar doors at Whispering Brook, David Hook, Pokolbin Estate, Brokenwood and Tempus Two should be on your list. The Convent Hunter Valley, Mio Monte couples retreat and the Monkey Place Country House – complete with open fire – offer great accommodation.
MUST DOS A balloon ride, the Hunter Valley Gardens and the historic Wollombi Village Walk.
VIRGINIA SAYS “The Hunter’s known for its crisp semillons, but the shiraz are pretty fine, too.” winecountry .com.au Mona Pavillions, is the perfect plan. A half-hour to the Huon Valley means you can check out exceptional pinot noir at Home Hill, or a mooch to Granton means you can visit the Stefano Lubiana winery, too – eat at Osteria with a chardonnay.
VIRGINIA SAYS “Hobart’s a gem when it comes to wine and food.” Stay here for nearby vineyards. winetawinetasmania.com.au