A guide to the Southern Highlands' best wineries and cellar doors

Escape the city to find charming cellar doors, pinot pioneers and plenty of inspiration worth bottling.

The region just 90 minutes south of Sydney is a relatively new cool-climate wine region best known for its chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, riesling, pinot gris, pinot noir, merlot and cabernet sauvignon.

The Southern Highlands has more than 60 vineyards tucked into its rolling hills and more than a dozen cellar doors that vary from modern to French provincial in style. Often, you’ll find fine food and sometimes antiques as well as the excuse to explore the charming towns and villages of the region and immerse yourself in its beautiful rural landscapes.

In short

It’s worth driving to the under-the-radar Southern Highlands Winery Sondara Estate simply for the experience of being met by Nello, the friendly cellar door dog. Add bonus points for the cheese, salami and chocolate on offer as part of an intimate wine tasting with the owner or winemaker.

Sondara Estate

Those interested in visiting Southern Highlands wineries should seek out Sondara Estate . The family-run winery offers much more than exceptional cool-climate wines. It offers the chance to sit down in a rustic working shed alongside one of the owners or winemakers who like to spin a few yarns while you sip. Enjoy a tasting of estate wines like pinot noir and rosé thoughtfully paired with with artisan cheeses, salami and chocolates. The soaring cellar door, which doubles as a warehouse, is decked out in vintage furniture and divided into cosy spaces that have been curated with love and attention by owner Sandra Kiceek.

Address: 352 Woodlands Rd, Woodlands NSW 2575

Dawning Day Estate

Dawning Day Estate is one of the dreamiest cellar doors to visit when looping along the Southern Highlands wineries trail. This boutique family-run vineyard offers a clear expression of terroir at its micro vineyard located in Exeter planted with chardonnay, pinot noir and gamay (my personal favourite). Dawning Day Estate is also a huge draw for visitors to the Southern Highlands who a searching for an escape to the country. Enjoy a private tasting with the winemaker, Mike Archer, before bunkering down in the boutique designer barn.

Address: 25 Rockleigh Rd, Exeter NSW 2579

Centennial Vineyards

Centennial Vineyards is a gracious estate celebrating cool-climate wines. Vines such as chardonnay, riesling, pinot gris, pinot noir, gewürztraminer and tempranillo are planted here over 30 hectares with some grapes sourced from a small vineyard in Orange. Start in the Barrel Room with a flight of pinot noir, the cool-climate star of Southern Highlands wineries. Enjoy the wines over lunch of grilled pork cutlets with pumpkin puree, caramelised apples and pork puff at Centennial Restaurant or at a high tea with vineyard views. Make plans to return for next year’s Horizontal Festival .

Address: 252 Centennial Rd, Bowral NSW 2575

Joadja Estate

The first vines were planted on this old dairy farm in 1983, making Joadja Estate the oldest continuous Southern Highlands winery. The family-run estate in the hills above Berrima produces pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and malbec. And the bottles make great souvenirs, with each illustrated label paying tribute to a local town. Visit the cellar door to enjoy live music at free chill-out sessions over summer, along with wood-fired pizzas and local cheeseboards. The estate stocks wares from Sutton Forest Olives and Joadja Distillery . Private tours of the nearby ghost town are available.

Address: 110 Joadja Rd, Berrima NSW 2577

Artemis Wines

Brothers Anton and Mark Balog are known as pinot pioneers in these parts, making Artemis Wines a must-visit along the Southern Highlands wineries trail. The small family-run winery just five minutes from Mittagong was the third to be established in the region but first to plant pinot noir grapes. The rustic cellar door, clad in river red gum, packs a big punch and offers plenty of atmosphere. Pull your beanie down tight and cosy up by the fire in winter with a glass of Graciano, cheese and charcuterie (Friday–Sunday). On Sundays in summer, the cellar door spills onto the lawn where you can enjoy a beer and slice of pizza.

Address: 46 Sir Charles Moses Ln, Mittagong NSW 2575

Tractorless Vineyard

Tractorless Vineyard produces sustainable wines with minimum intervention using a combination of old-world knowledge with new-world winemaking skills. Winemaker Jeff Aston is guided by biodynamic principles and, instead of using tractors, has recruited a flock of Hampshire Down sheep to mow the vineyard. Visit the Berrima site to take a vineyard tour in the back of Jeff’s ute to meet these woolly workers over a wine tasting and gourmet grazing board. Alternatively, you can book a tutored tasting with the winemaker to chat about the Tractorless Vineyard wines.

Address: 132 Compton Park Rd, Berrima NSW 2577

Bendooley Estate

Bendooley Estate is just outside the historic town of Berrima. And it’s one of the most picturesque Southern Highlands wineries to visit. The estate lays claim to a vineyard with a show-stopping cellar door and tasting room. Book a stay at the Book Barn Cottage at Bendooley Estate so you can really lean into the experience. Open a bottle of your drop of choice and clink glasses while enjoying a few light bites alongside rolling Southern Highlands views.

Address: 3020 Old Hume Hwy, Berrima NSW 2577

PepperGreen Estate

PepperGreen Estate is both a vineyard and olive grove set on the slopes of Canyonleigh. Sample pinot noir, shiraz, riesling, chardonnay and sparkling in the cellar door and tasting room housed in a former antiques store. You can also taste test the olive oils and sample the Olive Leaf Gin. The Wine & Canapés Experience hosted by the PepperGreen sommelier is well worth doing. As is the wine-paired lunch curated by chef Mark Chance in the Tasting Room , which includes dishes such as leek risotto (paired with a 2023 PepperGreen Riesling) or chicken liver parfait with a glass of 2021 Peppergreen Pinot Noir.

Address: 13 Market Pl, Berrima NSW 2577

Mount Ashby Estate

Mount Ashby Estate in the charming town of Moss Vale combines a boutique vineyard and cellar door with a charming Italian-inspired restaurant (Sant’ Alba) that would be right at home in Tuscany. Sit around rustic farmhouse tables in the cellar door and cafe to enjoy wines such as a deep cherry red merlot, beautifully balanced shiraz and blushing pink rosé over saffron seafood bucatini or pork cutlet Milanese. Want to secure the venue for your upcoming wedding? The charming circa 1918 Bowral Produce Store is now an events space replete with fields dotted with grazing cattle.

Address: 128 Nowra Rd, Moss Vale NSW 2577

Sutton Forest Wines

Head to Sutton Forest Wines for another winery experience with an Italian twist. It’s another Southern Highlands Winery that burns brightly for its bucolic surrounds, with vines embroidered to the lacquered-green hills. The Lo Russo family has been associated with the Southern Highlands winery for about three decades and is best known for its Chianti-style red, which blends pinot noir with sangiovese. The cellar door and cafe are open Friday to Sunday and serve antipasto platters to pair with the wine.

Address: 21 Black Horse Lane, Sutton Forest NSW 2577

Eling Forest Estate

the cellar door and cafe at Eling Forest Winery, Southern Highlands — The cellar door and cafe at Eling Forest Winery operate within a heritage-listed homestead. (Image: Theresia Hall)

The cellar door and cafe at Eling Forest Estate are housed within a beautifully maintained heritage-listed homestead (circa 1834), making this idyllic rural setting well placed for a wine tasting. The cool-climate wines available to try at the cellar door include a sparkling wine, chardonnay, pinot noir, pinot gris, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet shiraz. The Tour Taste and Lunch package establishes Eling Forest Estate as a standout among Southern Highlands wineries when it comes to educating budding oenophiles.

Address: 12587 Hume Hwy, Sutton Forest NSW 2577

Cherry Tree Hill Wines

Winemaker Gabi Lorentz says his passion for winemaking began in childhood when he would ride around his grandfather’s revered vineyard in Hungary in a horse and cart. While Gabi planted the first vines on the family-run estate in 2000, the Southern Highlands winery is now run by Gabi’s son, David. The riesling produced by award-winning vigneron Ian Evans is revered as one of the best in NSW, winning medals at several prestigious shows. The gourmet pies and tasting boards knit together the cellar door experience.

Address: 12324 Hume Hwy, Sutton Forest NSW 2577

St. Maur Wines

Head to St. Maur Wines in the very English-feeling village of Exeter for another taste of northern Italy in the Southern Highlands. Here, Treviso-born Nerio Panizzutti and his son Marco make small-batch, single-estate wines from their plantings of pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon and merlot vines. Sample these hand-crafted wines and some good old-fashioned hospitality at the cellar door set within a rustic dairy farm where estate dog Sienna is on hand to welcome you. St. Maur’s oak-matured Lot 41 estate range is all about taking it slow while its SAINT series celebrates family, friends and time-honoured traditions.

Address: 238 Old Argyle Rd, Exeter NSW 2579 

Discover the best accommodation in Bowral

From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

1. Gosford’s glow up

room at voco gosford — Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

2. Newcomers to the dining scene

table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal — Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

3. New Central Coast experiences

winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery — Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

4. Central Coast accommodation

view from a cottage at Noonaweena — Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

5. Shopping on the Central Coast

Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast — Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .

A guide to the Southern Highlands’ best wineries