While the picturesque scenery of a vineyard or wine tour can be alluring, nothing turns your holiday fantasy to dust quicker than finding out the boozy getaway you’re planning is a three-hour drive away. If you live in Sydney and have yet to visit its closest wine region, the Southern Highlands, then it's high time you plan a perfect escape.
Just 90 minutes from Sydney, the Southern Highlands combines gorgeous scenery with a wide range of award-winning wineries, breweries and distilleries, depending on your tastes. It’s far enough away for a weekend getaway, but not so far that you’ll need to pack supplies or take time off work. If you’re a fan of touring your way around a wine region, the Highlands Tour Co has you covered, with four different tours, each perfect for different occasions.
Vines & Views Tour
Image credit: Highlands Tour Co | Website
The Vines & Views Tour is the quintessential wine tour in the Southern Highlands that caters to all wine fans. The tour has you travelling across three award-winning cold-climate wineries—Peppergreen Estate, Sutton Forest Estate, and Dawning Day Winery—via a chauffeured car for a day. With three tastings and water supplied, the only thing you need to bring is lunch, or you can add on a lunch package for $45 per person.
The Vines & Views Tour can cater from two to 24 people, costing between $155 and $250 per person depending on the booking size.
Vin Voyage
Image credit: Highlands Tour Co | Website
For those with more discerning tastes, the Vin Voyage is a luxurious wine tour with a focus on boutique wineries and French dining. This tour begins with an included sparkling tasting and breakfast at the authentic French Franquette Creperie, before moving on to three wineries—Centennial Vineyards, Peppergreen Estate and Dawning Day Winery.
The Vin Voyage Tour can cater from two to 24 people, costing between $230 and $325 per person depending on the booking size.
Distilled Delights
Image credit: Highlands Tour Co | Website
If you’re more of a spirits fan, the Distilled Delights Tour offers a chance to experience some of the finest gins and vodkas from the Southern Highlands region. The tour begins the same as the Vines & Views Tour with three wine tastings. But once the wine tour is over, you’ll be visiting Millsheds to tour its gin distillery. You’ll receive a drink upon arrival, with a Q&A about the area. Then you’ll enjoy a guided tasting of four to five award-winning gins and vodkas.
The Distilled Delights Tour can cater from two to 24 people, costing between $185 and $280 per person, depending on the booking size. You can add a lunch package to this tour for $45 per person.
Vines, Views & Beer Tour
Image credit: Highlands Tour Co | Website
Do your taste buds favour the taste of beer more than wine? The Vines, Views & Beer Tour includes two wine tastings before heading to the Eden Brewery to try a variety of craft beers. Like the other tours, you can add on a lunch package from $45 per person, or even add on a spirits tasting for an extra $10 per person. There’s also the option to experience a private tour of the Eden Brewery for $35 per person.
The Vines, Views & Beer Tour can cater from two to 24 people, costing between $155 and $250 per person, depending on the booking size.
If you’re keen to check out one of the Highlands Tour Co’s wine tastings and tours, you can find more info here.
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Image credit: Highlands Tour Co | Website
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