Wine Touring Around Canberra

Wine Touring Around Canberra

Wineries began popping up everywhere around Canberra in the late 1990s, once it was discovered that the cool climate was optimal for producing chardonnays, Rieslings, cabernets, shirazes, merlots, and pinots. There are now about 140 vineyards set in the peaceful rural countryside surrounding the city—mostly small operations, where visiting the "cellar door" usually involves sampling the wines in the tasting room. There is no charge for tastings, although the vintners hope you'll be impressed enough with the wine to make some purchases.

Most are a maximum of 30 minutes from the city and are concentrated in the villages of Hall and Murrumbateman, and in the Lake George area and Bungendore. Many are open to visits on weekends only. If you want to explore the wineries on your own, pick up a copy of The Canberra District Wineries Guide from the Canberra and Region Visitor Centre, or from the Kamberra Wine Centre (Flemington Rd. at Northbourne Ave., Lyneham. 02/6262-2333. www.hardywines.com.au) at the northern entrance to Canberra overlooking the Canberra Racecourse. If you don't want to combine driving with wine tasting, consider a wine tour. Wine Wisdom Winery Tours (02/6260-7773. www.winewisdom.com.au) specializes in personally tailored wine-tour itineraries.

Wineries Along the Barton Highway

From Canberra take the Barton Highway in the direction of Yass. After 20 km (12 mi) you'll reach a trio of wineries: Brindabella Hills Winery, Pankhurst Wines, and Surveyors Hill Winery around the village of Hall. A few minutes farther along Barton Highway, a right turn onto Nanima Road will bring you to the Wily Trout Winery. This winery shares its property with Poachers Pantry , which sells picnic-style smoked meats, poultry, and vegetables, and the Smokehouse Cafe , where you can have a decadent countryside dining experience.

Wineries Along the Federal Highway

From Canberra take the Federal Highway for about 30 km (19 mi) north toward Sydney until you reach the Lake George area. Here you'll find Lark Hill Winery, Gidgee Estate Wines, Lambert Vineyards, and Lerida Estate Wines. At Madew Win es you can stop by grapefoodwine restaurant, for modern Australian, seasonally inspired cuisine and great views over Lake George.

On the banks of the Molonglo River, close to the airport, is one other winery that's well worth visiting: Pialligo Estate Wines and Cafe,which is surrounded by beautiful rose gardens. Here you can enjoy a wine tasting, lunch, or an antipasto platter as the sun sets behind Parliament House.