Winery accommodation in Victoria for a countryside escape

Balgownie Estate Vineyard Resort & Spa lies comfortably in the Yarra Valley, Victoria’s first-ever wine growing district. The valley is now one of the world’s leading cold-climate wine regions and a food-and-drink hotspot for tourists. From Balgownie, tucked sweetly amid hills in the town of Yarra Glen, you’ll find a central location for exploring the vineyards, cellar doors and restaurants.

The estate’s 70 luxurious suites are furnished in a mix of classic and contemporary décor. Sink into plush armchairs with a glass of Balgownie wine and take in sweeping views of the Yarra Valley through your floor-to-ceiling windows. Apartments with a kitchenette and dining area are ideal for budding chefs looking to make use of the region’s local produce. For the ultimate in luxury, check into a spa suite and soak away your stresses in the ensuite’s Jacuzzi tub.

If you’re looking to add something extra special to your stay, you can greet the day with a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the valley, followed by a champagne breakfast at the hotel. Continue the indulgence with a massage or treatment at the on-site Natskin Day Spa Retreat, then finish with a sumptuous meal in the hotel’s restaurant. You’ll feast on Yarra Valley Buxton Farm rainbow trout or green goddess risotto, flawlessly accompanied by the estate’s flagship Cabernet Sauvignon.

Discover Mantons Creek Estate in Red Hill, the sleepy hinterland of the Mornington Peninsula full of rich vineyards, orchards and artisan food producers. Just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne, the estate is hidden away down a country lane, promising a secluded retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The estate’s cellar door is open for group tastings on weekends. Imagine sipping award-winning wines as you overlook the vineyard where the very fruit was grown. A relaxing stroll through the area’s winding lanes will reveal cafés, restaurants and farm shops where you can experience regional dining made from local produce. You can go fancy at Port Phillip Estate for dishes like King Island Wallaby and Roasted Flinders Island lamb rump, or head to the nearby Paringa Estate, awarded a Chef’s Hat every year in The Age Good Food Guide since 2013 for its seasonal tasting menus.

For a change of pace, take a 5-minute drive to Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens to see Australia’s oldest hedge maze and a lavender labyrinth. Have some fun hunting for the hidden gnomes, then refuel with a snack from the café.

After a day of exploring, you’ll be ready to retreat to your cosy, character-filled room at the estate where furnishings in fun patterns, carved wood and quirky pieces create a memorable stay. As the sun sets across the peninsula, spend some time admiring your view of the vines from your private balcony. Nestle into an armchair by the fireplace with a good book and a glass of estate wine – is there a better way to unwind?

At Morning Sun Vineyard, deep in the rolling hills of Main Ridge for classic winery stays, Mornington Peninsula-style, you’ll feast on hand-picked olives while you gaze over the trees they were grown on. Sample finely crafted cool-climate wines from the cellar door of this family-owned estate, then when your appetite’s suitably whetted, head to the restaurant for Italian-inspired meals made with local fare.

In your self-contained accommodation, pop the cork on your complimentary bottle of wine and settle into peaceful surrounds overlooking the vineyard. Light-filled, airy rooms and contemporary furniture will maximise your sense of space and comfort. If you’re coming with a group (hen party, perhaps?), you can fit up to 12 in the larger apartments. Open-plan kitchens and dining areas make self-catering a simple affair, too, so we suggest stocking up on the region’s artisan delicacies and cooking up a meal fit for royalty (or brides-to-be).

As for exploring the local wineries, you can take it easy by booking a personalised tour with Amour of the Grape. You’ll be picked up at your apartment for an all-day wine tour (including tastings at four or five wineries), visits to cider and cheese producers and a multi-course tapas lunch. You’ll want to slot in a visit to the Peninsula Hot Springs, too, less than 15 minutes away by car. Luxuriate in natural thermal mineral waters and more than 30 globally inspired bathing experiences, or you can opt for an indulgent spa treatment.

You’ll be greeted by nature’s finery at Wine Village Motor Inn in Rutherglen: budding rose bushes, native gardens and tree-lined paths grace your walk to the inn’s entrance. Take your pick of 16 guest rooms, all with cheerful garden views, and feel yourself relax among the muted colours and minimalist furnishings. Bring a good book so that after a leisurely dip in the heated saltwater lap pool, you can settle into holiday mode on the poolside sun loungers. You’ll welcome the evening when you’ll snuggle into premium linens for a restful night’s sleep.

Rutherglen is renowned for its sweet fortified wine, with Muscat and Topaque topping the list of ‘must-try’ varieties. You can start your wine journey just across the road from the hotel at the Rutherglen Estate cellar door. Then six minutes away by car is Pfeifer Wines, where you can browse the seasonal farmers market or purchase a picnic hamper for a lazy lunch on the banks of Sunday Creek. Although many of Rutherglen’s wineries are within a 10-minute drive from the hotel, we recommend leaving the car behind and hiring a bicycle to tour the bike-friendly region by pedal power.

For a sweet treat, pop into The Rutherglen Lolly Shop, an easy 500-metre walk from the hotel, to stock up on your childhood favourites. While you’re there, don’t miss your chance to try a pie from the nearby Parkers Pies, winner of more than 200 awards for its gourmet pastry-wrapped delights.

Contemporary and downright cool, The Mitchelton Hotel could pass as a modern art gallery. With its sharp geometric shape and black brickwork, the cutting-edge space juxtaposes modern luxe with the natural beauty of the Goulburn Valley. The sleek and striking aesthetic carries through to each intimate guest room, where you can wrap yourself in thick woven blankets and escape everyday life amid dark earthy tones, burnished stone surfaces and wooden panelling.

A swim in the hotel’s 20-metre infinity pool should work up an appetite for some local produce. You can sample delectable cheeses, cured meats, preserves and other artisanal fare at on-site The Provedore. Take a seat in the café or purchase items for a picnic lunch along the Goulburn River. For a heartier meal in the evenings, in-house restaurant The Muse combines rustic comfort and fine dining, with a menu that utilises the best fresh produce sourced throughout the Nagambie Lakes district. Try a main of braised Bald Rock pork belly with Nagambie honey parfait for desert. Of course, knowledgeable staff can help you select Mitchelton wines to match your meal.

The on-site winery is open to all hotel guests. Take a guided tour of Australia’s largest operating underground cellar, followed by a private wine-tasting at the Mitchelton Estate. After treating your tastebuds, you can give your body its own pamper session at the on-site day spa with a personalised treatment. Indulge in 90 minutes of pleasure with a Luxe Facial, or go all out with a top-to-toe Revitalising Ritual.

About an hour’s drive from central Melbourne and only 45 minutes from Tullamarine airport, The Grange at Cleveland Winery is a convenient retreat for those seeking a rural winery escape in Victoria. In the quaint town of Lancefield in the Macedon Ranges, it’s surrounded by native scrub and close to the iconic Hanging Rock, a site worth visiting thanks to its rare volcanic formation, significance to the local indigenous people and role in the renowned Australian novel and film, Picnic at Hanging Rock.

When it’s time to sample the region’s food and wine, begin with a unique experience at Cleveland Winery’s cellar door, the only one located underground in the region. Or check out any of the 40-plus vineyards around, many of which are family-owned and operated. Lyons Will and Parkside Winery Estates are both less than 10 minutes away by car, while Lane’s End Vineyard is a 20-minute drive away. Back at the hotel, you’ll get lunch or dinner with a view at The Grange’s Carriage House Restaurant, where you can feast on wood-fired pizza, tempura sea scallops or charcuterie for two.

You’ll find friendly country hospitality by the bucketload at The Grange, plus adorable country wildlife like fluffy alpacas, quacking ducks and grazing sheep to complete the calming rural vibe. Slow down and make yourself at home in your warm-hued guest room, where you can sink into the soothing bubbles of your ensuite spa bath. Groups of up to 14 can be comfortably accommodated in the original 1880s homestead, complete with charming red brickwork, blooming flower beds, painted gables and deluxe spa suites.