Wine Tasting Escapes for Couples

Autumn is harvest time for the region’s wineries, which usually means a bustle of activity (and plenty of delicious, hands-on winery tours). Geelong and The Bellarine is one of Australia’s great winemaking regions, with its cool climate, basalt soils and limestone base creating a one-of-a-kind terroir. Pinot noir, Shiraz and Chardonnay are the name of the game down here, but there are plenty of other varietals to explore, too.

If you’re looking for a romantic couples winery tour, here are some of our favourite spots for autumn.

With unmatched views across Corio Bay, all the way to Melbourne, plus a mix of cool-climate drops like Sparkling Blanc de Blanc, Moscato, Sav Blanc and Pinot Grigio, Jack Rabbit Vineyard has become a bit of a Bellarine institution. Couples can join a wine tasting session on weekdays (10am to 4pm) or weekends (10am to 11:30am, or after 2:30pm), and tastings start at $15 per person. We recommend going all-out with a romantic Dine and Stay package: including overnight luxury accommodation at Curlewis Gold Club, a main meal at the famed House of Jack Rabbit, plus a glass of wine or beer.

Founded in 1995, with 40 stunning acres of vines, Leura Park Estate has won a bunch of awards for its Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cab Sav. Their cellar door has a definite ‘funky’ vibe, with the overall theme being ‘wine tasting, but make it fun’. From Thursday to Sunday, you can lock in a private tasting session for $15, and there are a bunch of grazing platters and cheese boards too. Try combining your visit with a romantic couples stay at the newly-refurbished Portarlington Grand Hotel – it’s just 15 minutes down the coast.

Scotchmans Hill has been pumping out award-winning, cool-climate drops for over 40 years, and they even cracked James Halliday's Top 100 Australian Wineries (which you’ll know is no mean feat). Cellar Door experiences start at $20 per person, which gets you a guided sip through five wines from the Scotchmans Hill catalogue. You can even go for a premium tasting experience for an extra $10pp, which includes six wines from their premium range. Check here for the latest news from Scotchmans’ veteran winemakers.

Perched on the edge of Swan Bay, with views over to Queenscliff, Basils Farm has become a hit with families in recent years (the sandpit and beautiful grounds are crowd favourites). But it’s a beautiful winery for couples, too. Wander through the kitchen garden, check out the latest seasonal menu, and swing by the cellar door for a cheeky $5pp tasting session. This is a great vineyard for autumn, with those cool breezes blowing off the bay. Pick a sunny afternoon, settle down with a nice glass of pinot, and watch the world go by.

Bellarine Estate has been owned and run by the Kenny family since its inception in 1996, and since then they’ve become particularly famed for their Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay, Viognier and Sav Blanc. They’re also one of the few vineyards on the peninsula with their own on-site glamping setup. Tents start at $280 and some with all the usual luxury touches. If you want to get really fancy, load up with Bellarine Estate’s American BBQ Lunch and Wine Tasting package: home-cooked barbecue meats and a free wine tasting to boot!

With so many great Bellarine wineries to choose from (seriously, we’d need a much longer blog to do them all justice) the region also offers plenty of guided food and beverage tours. These have the advantage of local guides, customised itineraries, and a driver to shuttle you from vineyard to vineyard. All you have to do is sip and enjoy.

This crew offers private epicurean, food-themed tours all over The Bellarine, including the Surf Coast and Moorabool Valley. Perfect for couples. Check out award-winning wineries and breweries, get personalised wine pairings, and enjoy friendly door-to-door service.

If you’d prefer a more self-guided winery experience, try Hop It. They’re The Bellarine’s first (and only) hop-on, hop-off bus experience. With lots of stops across the peninsula, you can plan your wine-themed itinerary, at your own pace. Each ticket includes up to five stops.

With 30 years experience in the wine industry, these guys are the local wine experts. Great for couples who are looking for a more in-depth, behind-the-scenes tour of the local winemaking scene. Tours can be tailored, too, based on your tastes and interests.