Canberra’s top 11 vineyards for a true wine lover’s escape
Canberra’s wine region offers a peaceful countryside escape just minutes from the city. With its cool climate and high elevation, the area produces wines known for freshness and depth, from crisp rieslings to bold shiraz blends.
I’ve spent weekends exploring its cellar doors, meeting passionate winemakers, and discovering scenic vineyards that capture the region’s charm.
Whether you’re planning a relaxed getaway, a day of tastings with friends, or simply searching for a special bottle, Canberra’s wineries never disappoint. This guide highlights the best vineyards and cellar doors every visitor should experience.
1. Clonakilla
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Website: https://clonakilla.com.au/
Location: 3 Crisps Lane, Murrumbateman, NSW 2582
Contact details: (02) 6227 5877 / [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Set among the gentle hills of Murrumbateman, Clonakilla has become a benchmark for Australian shiraz viognier. It’s a small, family-run estate with a big reputation — wine critic James Halliday once called one of its vintages “an iconic wine.”
The cellar door offers a peaceful terrace perfect for sipping while admiring the vines. The staff are knowledgeable yet down-to-earth, happy to share stories of how each bottle comes to life.
| Pro tip: Visit on a weekday morning to avoid crowds — staff have more time to chat and may even pour an off-menu sample. |
2. Four Winds Vineyard
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Website: https://www.fourwindsvineyard.com.au/
Location: 9 Patemans Lane, Murrumbateman NSW 2582
Contact details: (02) 6227-0189 / [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Four Winds Vineyard is one of those places where great wine meets great food. Their wood-fired pizzas, made to order, are almost as famous as their wines.
Guests can enjoy tastings of their award-winning chardonnay and fortified shiraz while relaxing on the sunny deck overlooking the vines. It’s an inviting, family-friendly atmosphere that encourages lingering a little longer than planned.
| Pro tip: Pair the 2021 Chardonnay with their prosciutto pizza — it’s a local favourite and highlights the wine’s citrusy balance. |
3. Shaw Estate
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Website: https://shawestate.com.au/
Location: 34 Isabel Drive, Murrumbateman NSW 2582
Contact details: 02 6227 5827 / [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Wine tasting: Wednesday to Sunday, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Lunch: Friday to Sunday, from 11:30 AM
- Dinner: Thursday to Saturday, from 5:30 PM
Elegant yet approachable, Shaw Estate is the kind of winery that caters to every season. In winter, the lounge fireplace provides the perfect backdrop for sampling their cool-climate shiraz; in summer, the balcony offers sweeping vineyard views.
Their tasting menu showcases a curated flight of reds and whites, while Olleyville Restaurant on-site serves refined local dishes.
| Pro tip: Book a sunset dinner at Olleyville after your tasting — tables on the balcony offer one of Murrumbateman’s best golden-hour views. |
4. Brindabella Hills
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Website: https://www.brindabellahills.com.au/
Location: 156 Woodgrove Cl, Hall ACT 2618
Contact details: 02 6188 5405
Operating Hours:
- Cellar Door: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Vineyard Cafe: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Only 25 minutes from the city, Brindabella Hills is one of the easiest winery escapes from Canberra. Perched above the Murrumbridgee River, it offers a panorama that competes with its wines for attention.
The cellar door tasting list ranges from crisp rieslings to full-bodied cabernets. The adjoining café adds to the appeal, offering light lunches and desserts to pair with your glass of choice.
| Pro tip: Head here for lunch — tables near the edge of the terrace get the best views of the valley below. |
5. Helm Wines
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Website: https://www.helmwines.com.au/
Location: 19 Butts Road, Murrumbateman NSW 2582
Contact details: 0418619186 / [email protected]
Operating Hours: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Helm Wines blends history with craft. Established in 1973 by Ken and Judith Helm, it occupies a heritage-listed 1888 schoolhouse — a charming setting for tastings of their celebrated rieslings and cabernet sauvignons.
The winemakers’ dedication to German techniques shows in every bottle, earning them multiple five-star Halliday ratings. Tastings feel personal and informative, offering insight into Canberra’s winemaking evolution.
| Pro tip: Ask about the schoolhouse’s history — it adds context to the tasting and makes for a memorable visit. |
6. Eden Road Wines
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Website: https://edenroadwines.com.au/
Location: 3182 Barton Highway, Murrumbateman NSW 2582
Contact details: 0466 226 808 / [email protected]
Operating Hours: Thursday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Eden Road Wines has built a stellar reputation for innovation under French winemaker Céline Rousseau. Since joining the team in 2017, she’s championed organic practices and refined the focus on terroir.
The result? Elegant cool-climate wines bursting with character. The modern cellar door is bright and inviting, and pets are welcome — ideal for travellers exploring with furry companions.
| Pro tip: Visit during spring when the outdoor spaces bloom — it’s perfect for a tasting flight with your dog in tow. |
7. Pankhurst Wines
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Website: https://pankhurstwines.com.au/
Location: 56 Woodgrove close, Wallaroo, NSW, 2618
Contact details: +61 2 6230 2592 / [email protected]
Operating Hours: Saturday to Sunday and Public Holidays, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Pankhurst Wines offers one of the most peaceful settings in the district, complete with sweeping vineyard views. Established in 1986, this family-owned winery specialises in pinot noir and tempranillo but also crafts standout chardonnay and marsanne.
Sustainability sits at the heart of its approach — grapes are grown using low-impact, eco-friendly methods. Tasting often feels like visiting old friends rather than a business stop.
| Pro tip: Bring a picnic blanket — there’s a shaded lawn where you can enjoy a bottle and a local cheese platter. |
8. Mount Majura Vineyard
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Website: https://www.mountmajura.com.au/
Location: 88 Lime Kiln Rd, Majura, ACT 2609
Contact details: 02 6262 3070 / [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Only 15 minutes from Canberra’s CBD, Mount Majura Vineyard is an easy stop for travellers short on time. Known for its tempranillo, the estate has also gained recognition for its expressive rieslings.
The cellar door’s rustic design complements its natural surroundings, and their “Piquette Picnic” packs — filled with local cheese, chutney, and chocolate — are ideal for a leisurely afternoon.
| Pro tip: Book a self-guided “Explore the Vineyard” walk to learn about the unique soil and varietals growing onsite. |
9. Lake George Winery
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Website: https://www.lakegeorgewinery.com.au/
Location: 173 The Vineyards Road, Lake George, Collector NSW 2581
Contact details: 02 4848 0182 / [email protected]
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Perched above the mysterious Lake George, this family-owned winery is one of Canberra’s oldest. Every bottle reflects a sustainable philosophy: grapes are hand-picked, wines are vegan, and production is minimal-intervention.
Guests can join guided tours with owner Sarah McDougall or dine at the award-winning Westering Restaurant for refined regional cuisine. Eco-friendly accommodation — “Little George” — makes staying overnight a pleasure.
| Pro tip: If you’re planning a weekend escape, book the “Little George” cottage early — it’s pet friendly and perfect for sunrise views over the lake. |
10. The Vintner’s Daughter
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Website: https://thevintnersdaughter.com.au/
Location: Crisps Lane Murrumbateman NSW
Contact details: 0408 207 331 / [email protected]
Operating Hours: Friday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Small-batch and hands-on define The Vintener’s Daughter. Owned by husband-and-wife duo Stephanie and Benjamin, the boutique winery emphasises minimal-intervention wines with maximum personality.
Tastings are personal and guided by the owners themselves, creating an intimate experience. The outdoor seating area, surrounded by vines, invites guests to linger with their favourite pour.
| Pro tip: Bring your own picnic — the winery doesn’t serve food but happily welcomes guests to enjoy their meal with a bottle from the cellar door. |
11. Collector Wines
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Website: https://collectorwines.com.au/
Location: 7 Murray St., Collector, NSW, Australia, NSW
Contact details: +61 417 810 594 / [email protected]
Operating Hours: Thursday to Monday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Located in the historic township of Collector, this charming cellar door sits inside the old Collector Inn. Winemaker Alex McKay crafts elegant, small-production wines that express the region’s cool-climate finesse.
Visitors can taste popular drops like the Earth Science Chardonnay or Tiger Tiger Pinot Meunier, guided by friendly staff eager to share their knowledge.
| Pro tip: Stop by the nearby Some Cafe before your tasting — it’s a local brunch spot beloved by regulars for coffee and baked goods. |