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

Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.

Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.

Where to stay

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney . The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.

Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite bathroom — Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.

The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.

Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.

Where to drink & dine

1. The Bar

the Fullerton Hotel afternoon tea at the bar — Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea .

Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.

The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.

On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce. ⁣

2. The Place

the Fullerton Hotel the place dining — Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.

On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.

3. Local gelato

Couple enjoying ice-creams at First Fleet Park, The Rocks — Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)

What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.

What to do/see

1. GPO Heritage Tour

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby — Be awed by the building’s history.

Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.

2. Circular Quay

aerial of circular quay sydney — Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)

An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.

3. Royal Botanic Gardens

view of circular quay from Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden — Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.

It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.

4. Theatre Royal

Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).

Start planning a summer stay in Sydney worth remembering at fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney.

A guide to the Southern Highlands’ best wineries