Sample some of Australia’s best wines from one of the country’s most vibrant and laidback cities – here are five of the best winery tours from Brisbane.
(Photo: getyourguide.com)
Australia has long been known as a beer and a barby kind of nation – but in recent years all that has changed. Not only do the antipodeans take their food very seriously but the homegrown wine industry has exploded. The Australian wine industry is one of the world’s largest exporters of wine and whereas 50 years ago Australians drank 20 times more beer than wine, nowadays the fizzy brew out-guzzles it only three times over. This growing popularity means that quality has been much refined too, with Australian wines fairing well in a punch up even with their French and Italian competitors. This all makes Australia a great place to take time out for a winery tour to sample the local produce – and what better starting point than Brisbane, with non-traditional, unique wines and big flavour classics, as well as wineries nestled in beautiful countryside. Here are five of the best winery tours on offer from Brisbane:
Tamborine Wine & Distillery Tour and 2 Course Lunch
This tour has to be one of the best based on the name of the transport alone. All aboard the ‘Vino Bus’ and take in the rainforest views from the oldy worldy Tamborine Mountain as you visit four award-winning wine destinations. Inside the Vino Bus snacks and bottled water keeps everyone going between wineries, with a jovial guide to keep the spirits up. This tour is designed around having a good time and meeting other wine lovers so over nine hours expect to become well acquainted with everyone, especially considering you’ll be sampling five to eight varieties of wine at each stop. It’s a really fun trip with everything included, as well as a two-course lunch. From € 113.95.
Book at Getyourguide
Winery Tour & Tasting, and Terrace 2-course Tuscan Lunch
(Photo: getyourguide.com)
Shorter and easier on the wallet, this tour focuses on one winery – and that’s no bad thing. The family-owned Sirromet Winery has a large selection of a selection of award-winning wines with everything produced as sustainably as possible. The tour includes walking around the property and through production areas to give all customers a complete understanding of an operating winery. After a private tasting a seasonal two-course lunch is served on a 75-metre long timber deck on the Tuscan Terrace. In fact it is all so reminiscent of the Italian countryside you might end up wanting it to be a bit more Aussie – feel free to pack a secret jar of Vegemite in the backpack. From €50.98.
Book at getyourguide.com
Brisbane: Artisinal Wine Tasting and Local 2-Course Meal
For anyone short on time, this tour ticks the wine tasting box without leaving Brisbane. Hosted at the first winery to launch in Brisbane since 1860 – aptly names City Winery – there is a chance to sample the venue’s signature Gerler wines, curated by the man with the most relaxed name possible, winemaker Dave Cush. The emphasis is on fun, so it’s well suited to both wine connoisseurs and newbies, and there’s loads of good info on the areas wines. As you sip four artisanal wines, enjoy a regionally-focused and locally-sourced two-course meal too. It’s a lot to pack in to an hour and a half but good value at less than 50 Euros. From €44.98.
Book at Getyourguide
Winery Tour and Tasting
(Photo: getyourguide.com)
For a really budget option, this tour at Sirromet Wines’ winery cuts out all the food and tinsel – eating’s cheating right? – and goes straight for the wine. Sirromet has a huge range of wines, from reds and whites to sparkling and dessert wines, and the interactive workshop gives a good overview on the history of the winery, the Granite Belt region, and have a wine tasting. The tasting includes sampling six varieties of wine with plenty of info to help improve your wine tasting palate. It’s a perfect taster for wines and the whole experience of wineries – all for the price of a couple of pints in the local boozer. From €20.99.
Book at Getyourguide
Brisbane Sirromet Winery Helicopter Experience
Arrive at the winery like you own the place thanks to this helicopter wine tasting tour. The trip takes you to Sirromet Wines by air, with sweeping views of the Moreton Bay region, landing at the winery’s gorgeous estate while the riff raff clamber out of mini buses. The only thing this ultimate wine tour doesn’t include is: the wine tour. You’ll need to book your on-site activities and winery experiences such as wine tastings, winery tours and hampers, separately – important to remember if you’re trying to impress someone. It’s all a bit over the top but sometimes that’s the way to go, especially for a big occasion or anniversary. The flight time is 30 minutes and actually when you break it down, it’s not really that expensive considering the entrance you’ll be making. From €365.77 per group (up to three).
Book at Viator