7 excellent wineries to visit in Bright and surrounds

Jo StewartBy Jo Stewart
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When travelling through Victoria’s High Country, be sure to put these Bright wineries on your list.

Alpine adventures are a big reason people flock to this mountainous corner of Victoria, but Bright is also a top spot to relax on a porch with a glass of crisp white wine or by a log fire with a drop of shiraz. The pristine Alpine Valley wine region’s small clutch of vineyards produces complex, cool climate wines that punch above their weight. Head to these Bright wineries (along with a few from neighbouring towns and villages) to meet the talented winemakers, learn about fermentation and source a bottle (or two) to take home.  

1. Ringer Reef Winery

Located on the Great Alpine Road in Porepunkah, this family-owned winery is just an eight-minute drive from Bright.

the Ringer Reef Winery vineyard is sprawling across Alpine Valley in Bright
Ringer Reef Winery is a vibrant, family-run vineyard. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Love to cycle? Ringer Reef is on the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail , so you can peddle there from Bright too (the staff will even deliver any bottles of wine you buy to your local accommodation at the end of the day).

a couple hanging out over wine at Ringer Reef Winery, Bright
Plan a day out with your partner. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Book a guided wine-tasting experience or relax on the landing with a glass of merlot or montepulciano (an underrated grape from Central Italy) while taking in sublime Mt Buffalo vistas. Come for the wines, stay for the views.

a hand pouring wine into a glass
Taste Ringer Reef’s finest wines. (Image: Visit Victoria)

 2. Billy Button Wines Cellar Door

Like the idea of heading to a wine hotspot that pours more than 30 different drops? Head to this busy cellar door right in the heart of Bright. Named after the bright-yellow native flowers that dot the surrounding alpine landscapes in summer, this popular cellar door offers so much more than wine.

the outside view of Billy Button winery in Bright
Come over for some drinks.

By all means, try a refreshing glass of prosecco or chardonnay, but be sure to order some artisan cheese or a toasted sandwich to keep you warm on a brisk autumn afternoon. This is also a top place to source locally-made gourmet bites to take home or enjoy on the road. Coffee beans, smallgoods, cooking oil, preserves, nuts and truffles can all be yours. If you find yourself in the nearby town of Myrtleford, there’s a Billy Button Wines outpost there also.

two women talking while drinking wine at Billy Button
Drink wine with a friend to pass the time.

3. Feathertop Winery 

This picturesque private estate in Porepunkah overlooking Mount Buffalo opens its doors to visitors regularly for a range of special ticketed events.

a cellar gate with empty barrels of wine at Feathertop Winery
You’ll see empty barrels of wine at the entrance. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Movie nights, games championships, acoustic music sets, themed tastings, al fresco long lunches and paint and sip classes are on rotation throughout the year, so keep an eye on the winery’s social media pages to see what’s on before you plan your trip.

guests drinking and dining al fresco at Feathertop Winery
Drink and dine al fresco. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Looking for somewhere to stay in Bright? There’s also luxe accommodation on site if you’re keen on a getaway (the Vineyard Residence’s magnificent infinity pool will take your stay to the next level).

a parking area for bicycles at Feathertop Winery
Feathertop Winery welcomes two-wheeled guests. (Image: Visit Victoria)

4. Gapsted Wines

You’ll find Gapsted Wines in the beautiful, bucolic town of Myrtleford, a half-hour scenic drive along the Great Alpine Road from Bright. At this award-winning cellar door and restaurant you’ll be able to taste under-the-radar varietals you might not have heard before.

a picnic table with umbrella set on a vineyard in Gapsted, Bright
Verdant grape-bearing vines surround the famed winery.

Why not try a drop of durif, manseng or saperavi after you’ve sampled more well-known wines like cabernet sauvignon and pinot noir? Stop by for a tasting or make a booking for a decadent, multi-course lunch (with matching wines, of course). The vineyard views from the restaurant provide the perfect backdrop for a long, lazy lunch.

a multi-course lunch with wine at Gapsted, Bright
Indulge in a satisfying lunch with a glass of wine on the side.

5. Annapurna Estate

Drive half an hour east from Bright and you’ll find Annapurna Estate – one of the highest vineyards in Victoria. With a restaurant and cellar door open from September to the end of April, this low-key winery tucked away in the Mount Beauty area is ideal for a quiet lunch accompanied by some cracking good wines followed by a stroll in the fresh, alpine air. Rustic, hearty fare features on the simple menu that draws inspiration from the Mediterranean region (think: focaccia, lasagne and moussaka). Whether you’re into fortified merlot or light-bodied rosé, Annapurna Estate has got you covered.

an expansive vineyard at Annapurna Estate, Bright
Annapurna Estate is beautifully situated at Victoria’s Kiewa Valley. (Image: Visit Victoria)

6. Michelini Wines

Italian varietals are in the spotlight at this family-owned cellar door in Myrtleford that’s reminiscent of Tuscany. Have fun getting to know the greats of the Italian winemaking scene by tasting sangiovese, nebbiolo, barbera, vermentino and beyond.

the cellar door at Michelini Wines, Bright
Discover what’s behind the cellar door.

On a warm day, there’s no better place to relax in the region than on the patio under a canopy of vines with a glass of prosecco and a charcuterie plate. Close your eyes and think of Tuscany.

a bottle of La Fiera Marzemino wine at Michelini, Bright
Try Michelini’s signature delicate wine.

7. Eaglerange Estate Wines

An easy 15-minute drive from Bright, this down-to-earth winery sits in the hills of the cheerfully named Happy Valley. Stop by for a tasting of cool climate drops and you’ll likely be welcomed by the winemaker himself, Frank Ivone. A serene spot to taste riesling, tempranillo, merlot and more, this winery also produces several vegan-friendly wines. If you’re looking for an easy-going, unpretentious wine experience, be sure to stop by Eaglerange Estate.

Want more travel tips for Bright? We’ve got a round-up of top accommodation, incredible restaurants to try and cafes to visit during your stay.
Jo Stewart
Jo Stewart is a freelance features writer who pens stories about nature, pop culture, music, art, design and more from her home in the Macedon Ranges of Victoria. When not writing, you can find her trawling through vinyl records and vintage fashion at op shops, antique stores and garage sales.
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This geological wonder is hiding in the heart of Victoria

    Michael TurtleBy Michael Turtle
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    Mythical, historical and most of all, spectacularly beautiful, Buchan Caves demands you take your time – and a tour. 

    In the pools of water, so still they could be mirrors, the reflections of the stalactites make these limestone towers seem even taller. Almost 400 million years ago, an underground river carved through the rock to create the Buchan Caves . Now, artworks created by dripping water adorn these subterranean galleries: stalactites hanging from the ceiling, pillars connecting some to the ground, even curtain-like wave formations clinging to the stone.

    Caves House
    Visit the caves for the day or stay onsite in the campground or at the self-contained Caves House. (Image: Ben Savage)

    “This is called the Fairy Cave because it’s full of fairy dust,” a guide tells visitors as they enter a cavern glittering with “calcite that’s solidified into thousands of tiny little diamond shapes”.  Buchan Caves is Victoria’s largest cave system, but Fairy Cave is a highlight and, along with nearby Royal Cave, is accessible only by tour. Naturally cold, naturally dark, these caverns deep below the surface light up as the local experts tell their stories. 

    couple walking in cave
    You’ll need to book a guided tour to see the caves. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Among the hundreds of caves, some can be easily accessed from the surface. For instance, a casual stroll along the FJ Wilson Interpreted Walk, as kangaroos watch on from beneath acacia trees, leads into the 400-metre-long Federal Cave and its natural steps of white limestone. A slightly longer track, the Granite Pools Walk heads through soaring forest down into moss-covered gullies where the calls of lyrebirds trill through the leaves. 

    A quick history lesson on Buchan Caves 

    Buchan Caves
    Buchan Caves are a must-visit attraction in Gippsland. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Among the geology and the nature are millennia of history. This part of East Gippsland connects the high country to the coast and was long a place of refuge for the local Gunaikurnai people on seasonal migrations to the mountains. Archaeological studies show humans lived here up to 18,000 years ago, with artefacts such as small stone tools found around the site. But not too far into the caverns – oh no! The Gunaikurnai didn’t dare venture deep into the dark at Buchan Caves, telling stories they were inhabited by gnome-like nyols (small grey-skinned creatures that could steal memories). 

    Buchan Caves Hotel
    The Buchan Caves Hotel was rebuilt after burning down in 2014. (Image: Jess Shapiro)

    By the early 1900s, more people had started to hear about these incredible caves and so the Moon family set up home at the site and started to run tours below ground for intrepid visitors. More than a century later, their historic residence is available as accommodation, with the three-bedroom house sleeping up to eight people and now equipped with modern amenities the Moons could only have dreamt of. 

    But whether you stay overnight or just spend the day here, it’s worth taking your time to explore more than just the main caves, to get a deeper understanding of one of Victoria’s fascinating geological attractions.