What is the best time of year to visit a winery?

Australia is world famous for fine wine, with our plentiful wine regions producing some of the most collectible vintages on the international market.

What’s more, we Aussies love a good wine tour, heading out to these fertile lands to sample the best drops and sumptuous food pairings that come with them!

From the Hunter Valley to Margaret River, the Barossa and the Yarra, you’re never really too far from a spot where you can enjoy some of the world’s most sought-after vino, and this makes wine tours one of our favourite revelries…

The best time to visit a winery in Australia is in March/November, when the weather is warm but not too hot and there is always a great vibe. These are the times of the year when lively crowds gather at our best cellar doors to experience the very best of what our fruitful land has to offer, and it always makes for a joyous, heady adventure.

So, be sure to head to one of these stellar wine regions in early autumn or late spring:

The Barossa Valley

The Barossa Valley is the jewel in the Australian winemaking crown, with our most revered wineries producing world class Shiraz and Riesling for all to come and enjoy!

With legendary names like Chateau Tanunda, Peter Lehmann, Seppelt and Yalumba all offering unforgettable cellar door experiences, it’s easy to see why people from across the country routinely choose the Barossa for their go-to wine-cation.

The Hunter Valley

Next up, the Hunter, and its boutique wineries producing top class grapes. The Hunter Valley is not only superbly beautiful, but it also boasts some of the world’s finest wine, with the likes of McGuigan Wines regularly cleaning up at international wine awards.

Located a cheeky drive from Sydney, the Hunter Valley is the perfect place to round up your mates, book a bus and head out for a grand old time of wine sipping, with awesome cellar doors like Peterson House and Tulloch Wines offering magical tasting experiences.

The Yarra Valley

Victoria’s Yarra Valley may not be as famous as the first two in this list, but it does boast a proud winemaking tradition with some of the country’s biggest names offering wonderful cellar door experiences!

Be sure to head to Dominique Portet Winery and Pimpernel Vineyards for some of the best cellar doors in the lush and hilly region.

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.