South Gippsland's hilly countryside is crammed with ambient cellar doors and rustic breweries.
Crafty and passionate growers and makers have flocked to South Gippsland and are responsible for a booming drink scene. This hilly countryside is crammed with ambient cellar doors and rustic breweries… you may just need to take a few days to make your way around the trail.
Nestled among the hills-that-know-no-bounds, is Bass River Winery where you can taste the premium single estate wines at the cellar door. They even make limoncello, grappa and a dessert-style Iced Riesling. Just down the road is The Gurdies Winery where the picnic tables offer a fantastic vantage point toward the shimmering waters of Western Port.
Heading to Loch, your first port of call is Gippsland Wine Company. These guys make premium wines from their local vineyards. The cellar door is warm and inviting, and you can enjoy wine by the glass (or bottle) with a picnic in the scenic grounds which overlook Loch Valley.
When wine won’t do, whet your whistle at Loch Brewery & Distillery. Traditional craft ales are served by hand pumps, and you can try gin, vodka and single malt whisky. Just down the road, you’ll find Korumburra’s Burra Brewing Co. Try a sample paddle of the craft beers, and be sure to get a wood-fired pizza in your belly.
Head toward Leongatha and you’ll pass djinta djinta Winery where an onsite restaurant overlooks the beautiful grounds and generous platters complement their delicious wines.
The Fleet Wines cellar door in Leongatha is open for tastings and wine by the glass/bottle, alongside a delicious snacks menu.
While they don’t have cellar door, we must mention Bass Phillip, who produce truly exceptional quality wines, and some of the best examples in South Gippsland.
At Waratah Hills Vineyard in Fish Creek you can sample high-end, premium wines (don’t miss the pinot noir) and enjoy lunch with a gorgeous outlook over vine-covered slopes. Their menu of scrumptious antipasto has expanded to larger share plates and kids meals, so you can stay a little longer.
During the summer months passionate biodynamic winemakers, The Wine Farm in Koonwarra, invite you to take a spot at the vineyard bar, yielding an understanding of how the vital regeneration of the plants, soils and microbes on their farm drives their work.
Call ahead to visit off-the-beaten-track award winners, Bellvale Wine, near the hilltop village of Mirboo North.
Inverloch’s Dirty Three Wines make riesling, chardonnay, shiraz, but really, it’s all about the pinot noir. Downright dirty and delicious pinot noir. The cellar door is a contemporary space, just perfect for enjoying a gourmet local grazing platter, a tipple of wine.
Nearby, Harman Wines' cellar door is the ideal place to kick back. They sell beer, cider and coffee, and have games to enjoy on the lawns. It all happens on a Sunday where the woodfired pizzas keep on coming, and live music adds to the vibe.
At Wonthaggi’s Mates Gin Distillery you can enjoy a delicious range of local gins, cocktails and food in their fun-loving tasting room, all while supporting a good cause. Mates Gin are set up as a social enterprise that aims to direct 50% of their profits into charities and local communities.
Corner Inlet Vineyard has its roots in the Mornington Peninsula, bringing 20 years' experience growing and making pinot noir to their cellar door in Foster, they’re open over summer, long weekends and by appointment.
A dreamy drive through the verdant hills and valleys will take you to Gurneys Cider near Foster. Crisp, wild-fermented ciders alongside freshly prepared antipasto platters or housemade Pinsa Romana. For something truly unforgettable, join the Underground Tour of the world's largest underground cider cellar - an immersive, flavour-filled journey into the heart of the family's cider craft.
Drummonds Corrina Vineyard wins points for being the absolute cutest cellar door. The shoe-box sized cottage is complete with a pot bellied stove. There is minimal intervention in the wines to let the flavour of the terroir speak for itself.
BARS & PUBS
THE MITCH, BAIRNSDALE
Cocktail Bar with live music & DJs at the Mitchell River Tavern
BUCHAN CAVES HOTEL, BUCHAN
The town’s only pub has a big heart, rebuilt with funds raised by the community
ORBOST CLUB HOTEL, ORBOST
Serves up a great parma and local Sailor’s Grave beer
GRAND TERMINUS HOTEL, BAIRNSDALE
A popular local pub with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and fantastic bistro meals
GOLDEN AGE, OMEO
This splendid Art Deco hotel oozes with the warmth of Gippsland’s high country
THE CENTRAL HOTEL, LAKES ENTRANCE
Local seafood, waterfront views, and an extensive local wine list
MARLO HOTEL, MARLO
The elevated sun-drenched deck boasts views over the Snowy River estuary
SARDINE CANTINA, PAYNESVILLE
A wine bar and deli store, serving the finest wine, cheese, charcuterie and conservas
LAKE TYERS BEACH TAVERN, LAKE TYERS
The views don’t come much better than from the deck of this country pub
METUNG HOTEL, METUNG
Absolute waterfront views of the lakes to go with your beer
Exchange Hotel, Foster
Historic country pub in the heart of Foster serving hearty meals
Royal Standard Hotel, Toora
Large sun-drenched beer garden at this gorgeous heritage hotel
The Middle Pub, Korumburra
A local’s favourite, check out the char grill options
The Wonthaggi Club
Live music and events, sports bar and relaxed bistro dining
Welshpool Hotel
Family friendly with kids play room, beer garden and even boat parking
