Calling all wine aficionados of South East Queensland! Get ready to indulge in some of the best vintages straight from the source without having to travel far. Just a quick car trip from the Gold Coast or Brisbane, you’ll find the enchanting Mt Tamborine – a rainforest region bursting with lush greenery and dotted with magnificent vineyards.
This guide is your passport to the Mt Tamborine winery scene, showcasing the finest wineries to visit for a heavenly sip of the local grape. But we’re not stopping there – we’ll also spill the tea on the most luxurious and wine-friendly lodgings in the area, ensuring a truly unforgettable escape. So, let’s raise a glass to a vino-filled adventure!
The Tamborine Mountain Wine-Making Industry
We’ll let you in on a little secret. Few grapes are actually grown on Mt Tamborine.
Instead, local vineyards source most fruity wares from the Granite Belt, an acclaimed grape-growing zone in the Great Dividing Range. Perched between 600 and 1,000 metres above sea level, the high-altitude area boasts idyllic cool climate conditions. Free-draining granite soils enhance the unique terroir of Queensland’s premier wine-growing region.
But that’s not to say Tamborine Mountain wineries aren’t authentic. Local vineyards produce each delicious vintage on-site using traditional and contemporary wine-making techniques.
Plus, you get the full Cellar Door experience with spectacular Scenic Rim scenery within easy reach of the city.
Witches Falls Winery
No Mt Tamborine winery tour would be complete without a tasting session at Witches Falls. As the top-rated vineyard, the brand pumps out next-level Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Verdelho.
Don’t take our word for it. Ask old mate James Halliday, who awarded Witches Falls a coveted Five Red Star rating. That puts them in the top 10% of Australian vineyards, right up there with renowned Barossa Valley or Margaret River producers.
Still not convinced? Well-regarded wine writer, Tony Harper, reckons, “Witches Falls wines shine with individuality and confidence melded with regional style.” We’ll drink to that.
To accompany these delicious sips, the Witches Falls crew concoct one of the most decadent cheeseboards in SEQ.
Mason Wines
Another brilliant Mt Tamborine producer resides right around the corner from Witches Falls. Mason Wines boasts an impressive list of well-crafted sips, spanning Sauvignon Blanc to Shiraz.
But it’s not only about the vino. This foodie haunt does a mouth-watering two-course lunch on its spectacular sunny terrace. If you’re seeking to line the stomach ahead of a tipsy vineyard tour, then Mason is a must.
Hampton Estate Wines
Could Hampton Estate be the most picture-perfect vineyard on the mountain?
You’d be hard-pressed to find somewhere more Instagrammable to quaff vino than this. With a chic whitewashed abode and perfectly manicured lawns, the dreamy property is a popular spot for local lovebirds to tie the knot.
Yet there’s more to Hampton than aesthetics. The vineyard puts on sophisticated Cellar Door sessions showcasing a plethora of tasty wines. Don’t leave without sampling the Hampton Lane Sparkling Rose—it’s not hard to see why this is their best seller.
For wine lovers looking to make a weekend of it, Hampton Estate has a luxe collection of eight boutique suites.
Albert River Wines
Albert River Wines has been pumping out premium plonk for over two decades. Its viniculture gurus have snagged a slew of awards in that time, including Gold Medal gongs in prestigious competitions.
Sublime wines aside, the Mt Tamborine winery lures punters for its elegant setting. The cellar door experience occurs in the billiard room of the ostentatious Auchenflower House, a classic Queenslander once home to three former Premiers. Kick back on the colonnaded veranda to sip top-notch vino as you admire the view.
Cedar Creek Estate Vineyard
This acclaimed Scenic Rim wedding venue impresses guests from the get-go with its grandiose tree-lined driveway. Vine-strewn hills unfold in every direction, while a tiny chapel straddles a mist-shrouded pond.
You don’t have to get married to savour tasty tipples here, however. The Cellar Door swings open daily to offer connoisseurs the most extensive wine list in the hinterlands. Once you’ve had a few, jump on an impromptu tour of their purpose-built Glow Worm Cave.
Tamborine Mountain Accommodation
If overnighting in a vineyard appeals, the sumptuous suites at Hampton Estate put you within stumbling distance of its superb Cellar Door.
Another excellent lodging option is Verandah House Estate, an elegant whitewashed property featuring eight individually decorated suites. Proximity to breathtaking national parks lets you walk off those wine-related calories. Or, if a proper good pampering is in order, the estate has a soothing in-house day spa.
Alternatively, a broad range of fantastic Airbnbs lies scattered around the region.
Book a Tamborine Mountain Winery Tour with Kiff & Culture
Keen to quaff the tastiest drops this acclaimed wine-making region has to offer?
Then leave the driving to a sober professional and explore Tamborine Mountain with Kiff & Culture.
Our one-day Tamborine Mountain Wine & Dine tour and two-day Hinterland Wine Luxury Stay tour bounce between the best regional vineyards. Gourmet gastronomy and spell-binding scenery come included in each tour.
