New South Wales – Southern Highlands – the high life
Winsor Dobbin
Don Bradman Oval, Bowral, NSW
The Southern Highlands, cool in autumn and spring, decidedly crisp in winter, have long been a popular weekend destination for Sydney’s well-heeled but it is only in the past decade that the region has begun to emerge as a producer of quality wines.
The cool climatic conditions make the Highlands something of a food bowl, and the region is dotted with orchards, grazing land and, more recent additions, vineyards, the first of which were planted over 20 years ago.
The Highlands are now home to close to 50 vineyards and 15 cellar doors – not surprising given the vineyards sit between 500 and 900 metres above sea level and offer one of the longest growing seasons in the country. Pinot noir, riesling and pinot gris are considered key grapes, while Italian varieties also show immense promise.
Centennial Vineyards is home to the biggest cellar door and restaurant complex, but several of the other wineries, including Southern Highland Wines, Sutton Forest Estate and Eling Forest, are worth visiting, along with Bluemetal, Tertini, St Maur and Joadja.
There are also several excellent dining options, including Eschalot and The Journeyman, and Hordern’s at the up-market Milton Park Country House Hotel.
Highlands Chauffeured Hire Cars offers guided tours of the region and its wineries for those who do not wish to drive. Phone (02) 4872 3038.
Stop 1 – Breakfast at Feast@McVitty
This stylish cellar door cafe and restaurant serves breakfasts and lunches and has some lovely rural views. The coffees are top notch.
Open: Thursday-Monday 9am-5pm
434 Wombeyan Caves Road, Mittagong
Phone (02) 4878 5044
Stop 2 – Tasting at Centennial Vineyards
Centennial Vineyards Winery and Restaurant is home to not only the most-awarded wines in the region but also an excellent restaurant that serves lunches seven days a week as well as high teas. The restaurant showcases a range of local produce while the cool-climate wines are outstanding – there’s a lovely cellar door with knowledgeable staff.
You must taste: The sparkling wines, riesling, sauvignon blanc and tempranillo are all very good.
Open: Daily
Centennial Road, Bowral
Phone (02) 4861 8701
Stop 3 – Tasting at Sutton Forest Wines
Promoted as “A little piece of Italy in the Southern Highlands”, Sutton Forest Wines has a vineyard along with a welcoming cellar door and cafe serving antipasti platters featuring a range of Italian delicacies, and excellent coffees.
You must taste: The Three Daughters Reserve Pinot Noir and the chardonnay.
Open: Friday-Sunday 10am-5pm
21 Black Horse Lane, Sutton Forest
Phone 0404 870 419
Stop 4 – Lunch at The Journeyman
The Journeyman, which has a hat in the 2010 SMH Good Food Guide, is a good choice for a light lunch (think dishes like rillettes with cornichons and toast, or crispy braised caramelised pork hock with rice), or the high-end degustation menu at night. Sommelier Deb Pearce-Pratt has a fascinating wine list to accompany husband/chef Tim Pratt’s cuisine, which features dishes like leg of venison with caramelised witlof, soy beans and carrot puree.
Open: Tuesday-Sunday for dinner, Friday-Sunday for lunch
5 Boolwey Street (Corner of Argyle Lane), Bowral
Phone (02) 4861 2442
Stop 5 – Tasting at Bluemetal Vineyard
The Bluemetal cellar door and cafe has a lunch menu featuring local produce, as well as serving espresso coffees, Devonshire teas and gourmet produce platters. Think of dishes like pumpkin and sweet potato soup with sourdough bread, or homemade chicken, Brie and spinach pies. Bluemetal also recently opened "The Vineyard Cottage", which offers accommodation for up to six people.
You must taste: The sauvignon blanc and pinot gris, along with the Ignis cabernet sauvignon.
Open: Friday-Monday 11am-4pm
Compton Park Road, Berrima
Phone (02) 4877 1877
Stop 6 – Shopping at the Highland Wines Wine Shop
A newcomer to the historic village of Berrima, Geoffrey Crundall’s Highland Wines shop has a large range of the wines from the Highlands and the Canberra district. The shop also sells local food products, including cheeses, olives, jams and condiments.
Open: Daily except Tuesdays
30 Old Hume Highway, Berrima
Phone 0414 986 441
Stop 7 – Overnight at Peppers Manor House
The perfect base for exploring the Southern Highlands, Peppers Manor House resembles a refined country house estate. Built in 1926, the charm of the homestead has been retained and enhanced by tasteful decoration. During winter there are open fires, but in summer meals are served in a leafy courtyard, and drinks by the pool. Facilities include a beauty salon, swimming pool and tennis court. Recently refurbished, the hotel has just 41 rooms and suites with views of English-style gardens and the Mount Broughton golf course. Katers, the on-site restaurant, is one of the best in the region.
Open: Daily
Kater Road, Sutton Forest
Phone (02) 4860 3111
Don’t miss:
- Browsing the many antique and craft shops in Bowral and Berrima
- Visiting Mundrakoona Estate winery, which also brews Fish Rock beers
- Cooking classes at Centennial Vineyards
- Popping in to The Hermitage complex, a monastery, retreat and farm that also has its own cellar door selling wines under The Brothers label
- Tasting the fresh fruit, sauces, vinegars and jams from Cuttaway Creek raspberry farm
- Sampling the boutique cheeses from the Small Cow Farm at Robertson
- Enjoying the amazing array of exotic mushrooms, grown in a former railway tunnel in Mittagong by the Li-Shun Mushroom Farm
- Exploring local produce stalls at the Bowral Farmers Market, held on the second Saturday of each month
- Taking in the Bradman Oval and cricket museum in Bowral
Regions
- Southern Highlands (NSW)
Our Recommendations
To see our recommendations, ratings and reviews you must be a logged-in subscriber.
To subscribe please enter your email address in the "Subscribe Now - it's Free" box on the right and click the "Join" button, or fill in this form >
Eschalot is one of the finest restaurants in the famous Southern Highlands. A reputation it has created and enjoyed for over half a decade. Located in the historic ... read more
Mundrakoona Estate (Vigneron Licence No. 24006988) is a family owned and operated vineyard and winery 4 kms south of Mittagong in the cool climate wine region of ... read more
Peppers Manor House
Set within a grand country estate in the picturesque Southern Highlands, Peppers Manor House is an intimate 41 room retreat exuding old world charm and the friendliest ... read more
The Bradman Museum has been transformed into one of the most exciting and unique attractions in Australia and is a 'must see' for any visitor. read more
Cuttaway Creek is a 30-acre property located at Mittagong in the Southern Highlands of NSW. The primary focus of the property is to produce premium grade fresh raspberries, ... read more
Small Cow FarmPremium cheese crafted on the farm at Robertson in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. Small Cow Farm began in 2005, with the milking of their own Small Irish ... read more
Fish Rock BreweryAward-winning beers brewed by winemakers who love beer - Fish Rock Brewery's Leather Jacket Lager and Red Emperor Amber Ale. Fish Rock's beers are made in compliance ... read more
Sutton Forest Estate WinesSutton Forest Estate Wines is located in Sutton Forest in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales South Coast. Sutton Forest Estate Wines are makers of fine quality ... read more
St Maur Southern Highlands EstateSt Maur (pronounced more) Southern Highlands Estate is located at Exeter. At a height of 650m above sea level, the area is known for its rich volcanic soil, generous ... read more
Hermitage & Marist Brothers Mittagong (The)The Marist Brothers vineyard, The Hermitage Vineyard, is located in Mittagong in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. Visitors to The Hermitage are greeted ... read more
Tertini Wines & Berrima EstateTertini Wines and Berrima Estate are located in Chester Hill in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales South Coast. read more
Bluemetal VineyardBluemetal Vineyard is a small family-owned vineyard in the Southern Highlands region of New South Wales, SW of Sydney, Australia. The Southern Highlands of NSW is ... read more
Milton ParkSet apart in its own secluded estate, just east of Bowral in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Milton Park Country House Hotel offers luxurious ... read more
McVitty Grove & GlenFion VineyardRecognising the potential of the Southern Highlands region for premium wine and olive oil production, the Phillips Family purchased and established, on 42 hectares ... read more
Southern Highland WinesSouthern Highland Wines Estate is situated near the delightful village of Sutton Forest on the Illawarra Highway, in the Southern Highlands, on New South Wales. read more
Centennial VineyardsCentennial Vineyards is located just minutes from the historic township of Bowral in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, just over an hour south of Sydney. read more
Joadja Vineyards & Winery
Joadja Vineyards and Winery was the first vineyard established in the Southern Highlands of NSW. Joadja is an exclusive boutique winery producing some award winning ... read more
Eling Forest Winery and Verwood Estate Vineyard are nestled in Sutton Forest, in the cool climate Southern Highlands wine area of New South Wales. read more
Discover the boutique wineries of the Southern Highlands. The cool climate wines of the region are being compared with similar areas in France and Italy. read more
Tutor your nose to detect the subtle aromas in wine and learn to appreciate and enjoy its complexities. VisitVineyards.com subscribers purchasing Le Nez du Vin aroma sets can save up to $110 and get two Essential Wine Tasting Guides for the price of one. Read about the 
Thinking celebration? Then surely thinking Champagne, the wine that's always part of life's most important occasions. And sometimes just for the pure bubbly, enjoyment. Dine and sip with royalty, celebrity at history-making moments with your copy of Champagne and Chandeliers by Bernadette O'Shea. VisitVineyards.com subscribers, you receive a 15 per cent discount on purchase 
Le Figaro calls her "the undisputed mistress of the kingdom of wine". Receive an immediate introductory 
Like to discover more about this state's lifestyle, wine, food and more? Then ask us now for your free copy of Tasmania 40 Degrees South the magazine that showcases the best of Australia's island state. 
In our No 1 Wine Book of 2010, Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein matches distinctive wines with recipes from his favourite chefs in this book focussing on new and emerging grape varietals. VisitVineyards.com subscribers and Members buying this book will receive a 
MEMBER BENEFIT: Cape Mentelle offers Members an exclusively priced two-hour 
Love Tasmania's fresh seafood? The House of Oysters and Wild Water and Woodsmoke celebrate the succulent oysters and delectable salmon plucked from pristine waters around the island state. Australia's inspirational chefs share their favourite recipes which are accompanied by glorious photographs and sure to get you yearning for that salty sea taste. Enter now – we have 