The must-visit wineries on Kangaroo Island

Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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Kangaroo Island is making a splash on the drinks front. Here’s the lowdown on the best wineries on Kangaroo Island with a brewer and distiller thrown in for good measure.

Whether watching a sunset over the Backstairs Passage with a glass of chilled chardonnay in hand, enjoying pizza and live music at a local brewery or sipping on spirits at a cutting-edge cellar door, here’s our guide to Kangaroo Island’s wineries, breweries and distillers.

Pouring wine in a glass, False Cape Wines, Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Enjoy a glass of Kangaroo Island’s award-winning wines. (Image: Meaghan Coles)

False Cape Winery

The history of growing grapes on KI dates back to the early 1900s and is woven into the island’s culture. False Cape Winery upcycled an old steel hay shed and patched it with recycled wood, jetty timbers and limestone to construct its cellar door, located on the Willson River, just 15 minutes from Penneshaw. Enjoy a glass of the award-winning Willson River riesling with a cheese platter and chunky homemade pie.

Aerial view, False Cape Wines, Kangaroo Island, South Australia
The history of growing grapes on KI is woven into the island’s culture. (Image: Isaac Forman)

Dudley Wines

The spectacular cellar door at Dudley Wines is perched on the clifftops of Kangaroo Island’s north coast, boasting endless ocean views across Backstairs Passage to mainland Australia. There are truly no Dudley duds; all the wines are winners. We love, love, love the Dudley Bubbly NV and 2018 Stud Shiraz. The cellar door menu includes platters, oozy grilled brie and gourmet pizzas; lunch bookings preferred.

Dudley Wines, Winery in Kangaroo Island, South Australia
The spectacular cellar door at Dudley Wines is perched on the clifftops of KI’s north coast. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Bay of Shoals

Arrive by yacht to Kangaroo Island and you will receive a discount at Bay of Shoals due to winemaker John Willoughby’s side obsession for sailing. Bay of Shoals’ cellar door and vineyard doubles as a maritime museum thanks to its vast collection of wooden boats and nautical flotsam and jetsam. Pair a bottle of sav blanc with a seafood platter of Spencer gulf prawns, smoked mussel pâté and hot-smoked salmon.

Lunch with wine pairing at Bay of Shoals Wines, Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Order a bottle of sav blanc to pair with your meal. (Image: Meaghan Coles)

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Springs Road Wines

The cellar door at Springs Road Wines is in a pitch-roofed tin shed on the northern part of Kangaroo Island. Turn off the Playford Highway and slice through the sheep paddocks and vineyards to arrive at the striking cellar door at Springs Road Wines, sister vineyard to Battle of Bosworth in McLaren Vale.

Pull up a pew on the deck to sip Springs Road little island fizz – a fresh and juicy sparkling shiraz/cabernet – or a full-bodied chardonnay.

Time your visit for Pizza on the Deck; check website for next session and book ahead to secure a spot.

Tin Cellar Door at Springs Road, Kangaroo Island, SA, Australia
The cellar door at Springs Road Wines is in a pitch-roofed tin shed.

Kangaroo Island Spirits

Inspiration for Australia’s first dedicated gin distillery, founded by Jon and Sarah Lark, came from Jon’s brother Bill, founder of the award-winning Lark Distillery in Tasmania. Kangaroo Island Spirits is now owned by the mighty Mighty Craft, which still operates out of the original cellar door.

Book a table in the Gin Garden to enjoy the Wild Gin, distilled using boobialla (KI’s native juniper).

Wild Gin and mixed drinks at Kangaroo Island Spirits, South Australia
Book a table in the Gin Garden to enjoy the Wild Gin. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

The Islander Estate Vineyards

You’re guaranteed a warm welcome at The Islander Estate Vineyards. Sip on a selection of wines and nibble on a picnic-style platter of local artisanal produce at the tasting room, located near a crook in the Cygnet River. Learn about the history of the vineyard during a tutored tasting that touches on the measured style of winemaking favoured by Frenchman Jacques Lurton, who hails from Bordeaux.

Exterior of The Islander Estate Vineyards, Outside Seating, Kangaroo Island, SA, Australia
Sip on a selection of wines at The Islander Estate Vineyards. (Image: Josie Withers)

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Amadio Wines

Amadio Wines is located on one of the main streets of Kingscote on Kangaroo Island. It’s adjacent to Vino e Cucina in a beautiful heritage building. Kangaroo Islanders in the know head here to try a handful of Amadio’s best wines at the aptly named restaurant which is as much about the wines as the food. Work your way through the wine list until you’re woozy and then pick up a few bottles of your favourite varietals to take home.

Exterior of Amadio Wines, Kangaroo Island, SA, Australia
Try a handful of Amadio’s best wines. (Image: Meaghan Coles)

Kangaroo Island Brewery

Although Kangaroo Island Brewery is the only brewery on KI, it’s a broad church when it comes to welcoming a diverse craft-beer audience. In addition to sampling brilliant brews from the onsite taproom – such as the Coastal Lager, Sheoak Stout and Indian Pale Ale – the brewery hosts regular tap takeovers. You can also get a decent bite to eat (pizzas on Fridays and Sundays; ploughman’s boards, burgers and fries every other day) in the rustic brewhouse, which was cobbled together using materials recycled from old piers, wharves and shearing sheds.

Exterior, Kangaroo Island Brewery, Kangaroo Island, SA, Australia
Kangaroo Island Brewery is the only brewery on KI. (Image: Josie Withers)

Kangaroo Island Ciders

Graham and Mary Jones planted an apple orchard on their Kangaroo Island property in 2004. From little things, big things grow. The enterprising couple have planted more than 30 different varieties of dessert apples and their humble cider house, Kangaroo Island Ciders, now produces a range of award-winning ciders and sparkling juices. You can sample four ciders in a tasting paddle at the cafe of nearby Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil Distillery.

Glasses of Cider at Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil Distillery, Kangaroo Island, SA, Australia
You can sample four ciders in a tasting paddle at the nearby Emu Ridge Distillery.

Kangaroo Island Ligurian Honey Mead

Mead is also having a moment on KI: head to Kangaroo Island Ligurian Bee Co to pick up a bottle of Kangaroo Island Ligurian Honey Mead. The ancient Greeks referred to honey mead as ‘ambrosia’ or ‘nectar’ and you can buy bottles of the stuff to bathe in and beautify your body when you visit Kangaroo Island Ligurian Bee Co (formerly Island Beehive), which was one of the first organic honey producers in Australia. Beekeeper Peter Davis teamed up with Maxwell Wines to produce the mead and it’s on the money.

Honey drips off a hive frame at Kangaroo Island Ligurian Bee Co
Pick up a bottle of mead made with honey from the Kangaroo Island Ligurian Bee Co. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)
Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti has written across print and digital for Australian Traveller and International Traveller for more than a decade and has spent more than two decades finding excuses to eat well and travel far. A prestigious News Corp cadetship launched her career at The Cairns Post, before a stint at The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald gave way to extended wanders through Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America, Asia and Europe. Carla was chief sub editor at delicious and has contributed to Good Food, Travel & Luxury, Explore Travel, Escape. While living in London, Carla was on staff at Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times Travel desk and was part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK.
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Heathcote has evolved into the ultimate eco-escape for foodies

    Margaret Barca Margaret Barca
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    From cabins to canvas, craft distillers to destination dining, Heathcote locals reveal their eco-savvy passions in ways that resonate with those seeking to travel lightly. 

    Heathcote, on traditional Taungurung Country in Central Victoria, is synonymous with its garnet-hued shiraz, but wine isn’t the only string to its bow. The town itself is sprinkled with heritage buildings from the gold rush era, and beyond that a growing collection of sustainable gastronomy and eco-friendly escapes. Nearby Bendigo, one of only 65 cities in the world recognised as a UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy, plates up an astonishing calibre of produce, wine and food for its size. Increasingly the entire region is taking up the challenge, though Heathcote in particular shines with its focus on sustainability. 

    Pink Cliffs GeologicalReserve
    The dramatic landscape of Heathcote’s Pink Cliffs Geological Reserve. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Goodfrey)

    The eco-stays bringing sustainability to Heathcote 

    Yellow BoxWood’s safari-style tents
    Yellow Box Wood’s safari-style tents are nestled on 40 hectares of bushland. (Image: Emily Goodfrey)

    Andee and Lisa Davidson spent years working in southern Africa before settling in Heathcote. “We had a vision of how this could be,” explains Andee. “We wanted a retreat, but one that was off-grid and environmentally sustainable.” Now, at Yellow Box Wood, two luxury safari-style tents are at the heart of 40 hectares of rolling hills and native bush, with kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, goanna and birdlife aplenty. It’s all solar-powered, wood for the fire is mainly fallen timber, and water is collected on the carport roof.  No lack of creature comforts though – en suite with rain shower, espresso coffee maker, comfy seating, wood-burning fire all set to go. There’s also a solar-heated, mineral salt pool in a bush setting, walking tracks, and even a mini bush golf course.  On my visit, I put the vision to the test. Cocooned in the plush four-poster bed I can glimpse the stars, while the heater casts a golden glow on the canvas. In the morning, I wake to a blush-pink sunrise, kangaroos feeding and a soundtrack of magpies.

    Mt Ida Eco Cabin
    Mt Ida Eco Cabin is rustic and simple but oozes comfort. (Image: Graham Hosking)

    If a tent is not your style, Stephen and Cally Trompp’s carbon-neutral Mt Ida Eco Cabin might entice with its generous deck and farmland views.   Inside the cabin, corrugated iron walls as rusty as a shearing shed, gleaming (recycled) floorboards, timber truss ceiling (crafted by Stephen), wood-fired heater and an old-school turntable with a pile of vinyls to spin. It’s fun, and a little boho. “Everything is recycled. The cabin takes maximum advantage of the sun in winter. It’s all solar-powered. Don’t panic, though,” says Stephen, “you can still charge your phone and get 4G reception!” Settle into an Adirondack chair on the deck or pedal off on a mountain bike to suss out the wineries.  

    A taste of Spain in Central Victoria 

    Three Dams Estate
    Three Dams Estate make Spanish-style wine.

    Another person with a vision is Evan Pritchard at his Three Dams Estate where the wines reflect his deep love of Spain and of Spanish-style grapes, such as tempranillo. Afternoons in the ‘wine shed’ or cantina are matched with music (flamenco is a favourite), Spanish bites from tapas to paella (with Evan on the pans!) and views to Mount Alexander. Sustainability is also a passion. “You don’t need to buy anything. We decided to be off-grid from the start, but it is a lifestyle change,” he says. “You need to think about it and be careful.” Everything here is recycled, reassembled, refurbished. Evan has an electric car (with solar-powered charger), solar-power for the winery, and even a jaunty little electric tractor/forklift. “I love the idea of all the things you can do using the sun.” Sipping a crisp rosado (a Spanish rosé) with Evan in the sunshine, I couldn’t agree more. 

    The vineyard redefining sustainable winemaking 

    Silver Spoon winery
    The Silverspoon Estate winery is completely off-grid. (Image: Graham Hosking)

    On the other side of Heathcote, Silver Spoon Estate demonstrates sustainability on a more extensive scale. Tracie and Peter Young’s winery, cellar door, award-winning restaurant and their own house are all solar-powered and off the grid. Sustainability is intrinsic to everything they do.  The property sprawls across 100 hectares, with 20 hectares under vine – shiraz, viognier, grenache, tempranillo. As the climate has changed, so too has the approach. These are dry-grown vineyards. “We prune for drought. That means lower yields but more intense flavours,” says Peter.  The fine-dining restaurant offers sweeping views, a wood-burning fire and a deck for languid lunches. Head chef Ben Hong sources regional, sustainable ingredients and weaves estate wines into the menu – think crispy wild mushroom arancini, viognier-infused chicken breast.   

    Silver Spoon’s award-winning restaurant
    Silver Spoon’s award-winning restaurant.

    Heathcote’s other hidden gems 

    Heathcote Wine Hub
    Heathcote Wine Hub is housed in a 1855-built timber church.

    Not all local wineries have a cellar door, but I find local treasures at the Heathcote Wine Hub, a petite 1855 timber church in the main street, lovingly returned to life by Karen Robertson and Carey Moncrieff.  “Carey is a scrounger,” says Karen. “He doesn’t throw a single thing away.” He does, however, craft things into something quite special. Heritage floors, light-filtering lancet windows and shelves of regional wines create the perfect ambience for wine tasting. Or order a glass and linger over a cheese platter.  

    Heathcote is not all wine, of course. Nathan Wheat and partner Vanessa Curtis run Envy Distilling with a committed sustainable ethic – and a serious love of gin. Their small-batch distillery produces grape-based gin, and soon brandy. Distilled water is reused in an ingenious cooling system. All waste is treated on site. They buy excess wine from winemakers to distil and buy recycled barrels. “Distilling with the sun,” as Nathan says. Each Envy gin has its own story. Spicy, award-winning The Dry, is designed to capture the region’s dry, rugged nature. Pull up a stool at the bar (reclaimed timbers and tiles, of course), order a Gin Flight, or kick back with a cocktail and let Nathan share his eco journey.   

    Envy gins
    Sample gins at small-batch distillery Envy.

    A traveller’s checklist 

    Getting there

    It’s less than two hours’ drive from Melbourne. The scenic route we take goes past Sunbury, then along a splendid country road through Romsey and the magic, boulder-strewn landscape of Lancefield. Watch for kangaroos on the road! 

    Staying there

    Go off-grid in style at Yellow Box Wood for glamping or try Mt Ida Eco Cabin for a couple’s weekend hideaway. 

    Eating there

    French dishes at Chauncy
    Award-winning French restaurant Chauncy.

    At award-winning Chauncy, French chef Louis Naepels and sommelier wife Tess Murray have created a tiny, elegant pocket of rural France. Meticulously restored 1850s sandstone building, sun-drenched dining room, impeccable service, a menu suffused with local flavours and thoughtful wine pairings.  

    Fodder is both cafe and social hub. Chef Mo Pun and sister Lalita serve classic Aussie breakfast-to-lunch fare, though their Nepalese heritage sneaks through. 

    Playing there

    Sanguine Estate
    Sip on wines among the vines at Sanguine Estate. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Godfrey)

    Sanguine Estate’s cellar door and terrace overlook bucolic vineyards. Its award-winning, dry-grown wines include the distinctive D’Orsa Blanc dessert wine, reflecting the family’s Swiss-Italian heritage. Order a charcuterie board and stay a while. Keep it carbon neutral by cycling some (or all) of the 50-kilometre O’Keefe Rail Trail to Bendigo.  

    At Bridgeward Grove, learn about the property’s Old Mission Grove heritage olive trees, do a sommelier olive oil tasting, and stock up on sustainably grown olives and oil. Explore the unique landscape, wildflowers and wildlife of pink cliffs geological reserve.