The emerging wine regions of Gundagai and Tumbarumba are both located in the Snowy Valleys of New South Wales. An idyllic town in the Riverina region, Gundagai is home to The Dog On The Tucker Box. This iconic statue isn't the area's only attraction, though. Its reputation as a promising wine region is also on the rise, with a significant number of vines planted here since 1995. Shiraz and cabernet sauvignon are the primary grapes grown and they offer a good reason to drink up and visit the area's cellar doors.

Close by is Tumbarumba, located along the foothills of the Snowy Mountains. It's not only classified as a cool-climate wine-growing district, it's actually the coolest one in the state. With its crisp summer nights, the area mainly produces chardonnay and pinot noir, often used in sparkling wine. The first vines were established here in 1982, making it a relatively new wine region.

Where to taste the region's wines 

When exploring Tumbarumba, which is surrounded by alpine scenery and boasts green backcountry and excellent bushwalking areas, you'll want to make Courabyra Wines one of your stops. In 1993, its owners Cathy and Brian Gairn established pinot noir vines here, followed by chardonnay the next year. A family member bought Revee Estate a few kilometres away and they joined forces to produce pinot gris, grüner veltliner, pinot meunier and riesling together. Head to Courabyra's cellar door and enjoy a ploughman's plate with a glass of wine and impressive balcony views.

If you're in the area, make a stop at Tumut. Its name comes from an Aboriginal word for “quiet resting place by the river”, which aptly describes this pretty town with great fishing spots and hiking tracks in Tumut State Forest. It's also home to Tumut River Brewing Co., a microbrewery producing craft beers with regional ingredients. The Ginja Ninja is an alcoholic ginger beer that gets a fruity hit from the apples sourced from nearby Batlow, while a coconut-flavoured chocolate porter is aptly called Bounty Hunter.

Tumblong Hills, a 15-minute drive from Gundagai, is a large winery producing cabernet sauvignon, syrah, shiraz and chardonnay — it was originally established as a tribute to legendary winemaker Max Schubert, of Penfolds Grange Hermitage fame. Wine tastings here are available by appointment. Nearby, Paterson's Gundagai Vineyard welcomes cellar door visits at any time. 

Nick Spencer Wines produces two reds from Gundagai, which channel the classic flavours of old Australian clarets and Burgundy wines. He also sources grapes from Tumbarumba to make chardonnay and grüner veltliner. In 2018, his vineyard was listed in the top ten best new wineries in James Halliday's Wine Companion and although there's no cellar door, you can look out for his products in local bottle shops. 

Where to enjoy fresh fruit 

Wilgro Orchards also taps into Batlow's thriving landscape. The estate grows apples and cherries and makes cider, apple cider vinegar and jam worth adding to your pantry or fridge. You can also buy fresh fruit from its roadside stall during growing seasons: cherries, raspberries and blueberries from mid-December to late January, apples in late February to June, and chestnuts and quinces in late March to April. 

For more apples — and walnuts, organic lemons and limes, too — drop by Mouats Farm. It cultivates these ingredients and holds regular pick-your-own apple days; it's a good idea to check for updates to ensure your visit coincides with the scheduled fruit-gathering dates. For fresh, flavoursome blueberries, head to Jolly Berries.  

Where to stay 

For cutting-edge accommodation with scenic views of the Murrumbidgee River flats and surrounding hills, spend the night at Kimo Estate's Eco Huts in Gundagai. These architecturally striking cabins have luxury features — sleek hot tubs, gourmet breakfasts highlighting local produce — while remaining off-the-grid and epitomising smart sustainable design. 

Kimo Estate also offers local stays in farm cottages, shearers quarters and its new boutique Flash Jacks hotel, which is inspired by the Banjo Patterson poem of the same name. This grand 19th-century building has been beautifully restored and showcases stylish and rustic Australian design that's also big on comfort. 

Nimbo Fork sits between Tumut River and Nimbo Creek and its cheering suites and cottages make the most of its idyllic Snowy Valleys location. Enjoy the courtyard and river views from your balcony and make sure to reserve a table at its Three Blue Ducks restaurant. The outpost of the beloved Sydney institution (which first opened in Bronte a decade ago) reinforces the Three Blue Ducks ethos of highlighting fresh local ingredients and sustainable cooking: the smoked trout and tomahawk lamb chops are from the Nimbo area, there's ethically farmed Provenir Beef on the menu and vegetables are often the stars of dishes, such as harissa-spiced cauliflower with chimichurri and hazelnuts or the roasted beets with almond cream.  

--

Note to editors:

Find this article, accompanied by additional downloadable images, (for registered Media Centre users) on the Destination NSW Media Centre.

There's so much going on across Sydney and New South Wales. For access to the latest news and to be kept up to date, register now with the Destination NSW Media Centre media.destinationnsw.com.