This Victorian vineyard just took out Australia’s winery of the year

Which is the best winery in Australia?

Taking out the best winery in Australia for 2025 is Wine By Farr in the Moorabool Valley, just outside of Geelong in Victoria. It marks the fifth consecutive year in which a Victorian winery has taken out the top spot, and the second victory for Wine by Farr following a win back in 2022.

Wine by Farr is the 2025 Winery of the Year.

“Wine by Farr is a thoroughly deserving recipient of Winery of the Year. Nick Farr and his team continue to produce wines of exceptional quality and character, year after year," says The Real Review’s principal wine writer, Huon Hooke.

“Our tastings confirmed this, with the RP Pinot Noir earning an impressive 99 points and a finalist position for Red Wine of the Year. It was closely followed by a trio of 98-point wines: the GC Chardonnay, Tout Près Pinot Noir and By Farr Shiraz."

The family-owned business has a unique winemaking style.

The family-owned and -operated business has been in the vinification game since 1994, focusing on minimal-intervention wines that reflect the land and seasons. Boasting 14.5 hectares of vineyards – with the remaining 30 hectares dedicated to grazing and cropping for cattle – the cellar door prides itself on its distinctive style; a style that’s clearly turning heads.

The vintners at Wine By Farr reap the rewards of its geographical location, a unique microclimate created from ancient riverbed deposits that date back thousands of years and result in six distinct soil types across the property. The team use this to grow small yields of intensely flavoured fruit that create an inimitable range, from smooth pinot noirs to aromatic chardonnays. And while there’s no cellar door to visit, its products are available at most major bottle shops.

The vineyard sits atop ancient riverbed deposits in the Moorabool Valley.

Wine By Farr is among friends, too. The state of Victoria secured nine positions in the top 20, demonstrating its strong hold in the world of wine. South Australia also impressed, claiming seven of the top 20 spots.

Hooke added, “Victoria featured prominently in the top rankings this year… this is echoed in our new selection of category winners: the White Wine of the Year and Red Wine of the Year both hail from the Yarra Valley and reflect the region’s strength in cool-climate styles."

Wynns Coonawarra Estate in South Australia

South Australia’s Wynns Coonawarra Estate took out fifth place.

“South Australia again contributed the largest share of the rankings, accounting for just over 35 per cent of the Top Wineries list," Hooke says. “Wynns Coonawarra Estate stood out as the highest-ranked South Australian winery, rising 21 places this year to claim the number five position."

Completing the top five wineries of 2025 are the Yarra Valley’s Yarra Yering , Levantine Hill and Giant Steps respectively, a testament to the region’s remarkable cellar doors. South Australia’s Wynns Coonawarra Estate rounds out the top five. And so it seems that Aussie wine lovers should start packing for a winter weekend down south ASAP.

We round up the luxe, the lovely and the latest places to stay in regional Victoria.

1. Hotel Ernest, Bendigo

Settle into this artful lodging in the city centre for a boutique stay with heritage roots dating back to 1864. Each of the 10 suites in this former bank is elegantly styled and furnished with covetable works by Australian artists. Ernest is also home to the much-lauded Euro-style Restaurant Terrae, so be sure to book into the two-level diner during your visit.

2. Norsu Cabin, Macedon

a look inside Norsu Cabin, Macedon — Settle into this Scandi-inspired abode. (Image: Nick Skinner)

Country cabin dreams come to life under the sweet timber A-frame of Norsu . Sleeping eight guests, this Scandi-inspired abode is so meticulously styled it’s received knowing nods from The Design Files and is everything a modern log cabin should be, including cosy fireplace, fire pit, modern appliances and French linens. Perfect for logging out of daily life for a moment.

3. Islay House, Woodend

the bedroom at Islay House, Woodend — Bed down at the gorgeously restored heritage Islay House. (Image: Tiffany Warner)

Lean all the way into a country luxe state-of-mind with a stay at the gorgeously restored heritage Islay House . This bed and breakfast sleeps up to nine guests and is just a short walk from town, but you’ll want to spend most of your time curled up fireside in the elegantly styled rooms as you admire the collection of antiques.

4. Nerissa Rye, Mornington Peninsula

This Rye beach pad is just a 10-minute walk from 16th Beach, and while a morning walk is lovely, returning to the barefoot luxe vibes of this four-bedroom escape is just as enlivening. Bright, open and welcoming, this is the place to settle in for endless cups of tea and a good book between beach jaunts.

5. Hotel Vera, Ballarat

a close-up of the bed at Hotel Vera, Ballarat — Modern meets bygone elegance.

This Ballarat beauty set in a 1900s mansion is all bygone elegance edged with modern style. Just seven boutique suites, each with its own distinct personality, makes it a singularly luxe stay. Sister to Bendigo’s Hotel Ernest, Vera is similarly bequeathed with a stand-out fine diner, Babae, which plates up the best of the region’s produce.

6. Hotel Sorrento, Port Philip Bay

The historic and iconic clifftop Hotel Sorrento at Port Philip Bay is mid-refurb and will reopen 1 December 2025, just in time for Amalfi-style beachside stays.

7. The Idle Lake House, Lakes Entrance

Enjoy a ripple of serenity when you step aboard this water-top abode on the Gippsland Lakes. Once a Chinese restaurant, this spacious and stylish two-bedroom stay offers unbroken gazing of the shimmering surface in a beautifully private bay. Lounge on the deck and enjoy the onboard bathhouse; come evening, sit by the sleek suspended fireplace.

8. The Monty, Anglesea

the bedroom at The Monty, Anglesea — Bed down at the vintage motel, The Monty.

Palm Springs makes an entrance on the Great Ocean Road with the opening of The Monty in October 2025. Its vintage motel meets modern muse at this playful boutique stay complete with pool and a vibrant Mexican cantina. You’re just a stroll from the beach here, which tells us it’s ripe for summer vacays this season.

9. Trentham Waters Resort, Mildura

vibrant bedroom wall and pillows at Trentham Waters Resort, Mildura — The bright and retro-style bedroom at Trentham Waters Resort.

Another new property lands in regional Victoria in time for an endless summer with Trentham Waters Resort expected to open by February 2026. Breezy, subtly retro and brightened by the big Mallee sky, this river’s-edge escape is perfect for settling in for a spell with one-, two- and three-bedroom villas. There’s a lagoon-style pool, riverside hot tubs and onsite dining for all your relaxation requirements.

10. Crowne Plaza, Geelong

the Trattoria Bar in Crowne Plaza, Geelong — Sink a cold one at the Trattoria Bar.

Geelong is getting its own Crowne Plaza in 2026. Its arrival on the waterfront will make it the city’s largest (and newest) hotel with 200 contemporary rooms and suites, a Skybar, all-day dining, indoor pool and gym, and event spaces. Keep it on your radar.

11. Re’em, Yarra Valley

a private tub with lush views at Re’em, Yarra Valley — Sip and soak in tranquillity.

With verdant Yarra Valley views that take in the linear beauty of tended grapevines, the 16 suites and rooms at Re’em are set amid the Helen & Joey Estate and invite sipping and sitting in tranquillity. The onsite restaurant deftly balances Chinese and Australian flavours and if you’re staying over the weekend, be tempted out of your stylish room for yum cha that features delicate handmade dumplings and vineyard vistas.

12. Arapiles Clubhouse and Crash Pad, Grampians

the yard front door of Arapiles Clubhouse and Crash Pad, Grampians — Spend an overnight stay in the Natimuk stone house. (Image: Bianca Jackson)

These 1880-era mountain-adjacent digs have been tenderly restored to provide rock climbers and Grampians country wanderers a chic place to rest. You’ll find four bedrooms in the Natimuk stone house, as well as a heated pool out the back and plenty of luxe embellishments. There’s also a two-person ‘Crash Pad’ in the confines of the Clubhouse with its own separate entrance.

the lounge at Arapiles Clubhouse and Crash Pad, Grampians — The Crash Pad offers a resting place for rock climbers and Grampians country wanderers. (Image: Bianca Jackson)

This Victorian vineyard just took out Australia’s winery of the year

And it’s not the first time…