From new and refreshed experiences to exciting collaborations and milestone anniversaries, read on for the latest updates from Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia (UWEA).

News and new members

Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia welcomed two new members in recent months, both within an hour's drive of Melbourne: internationally renowned sparkling wine experts Chandon in the Yarra Valley, and Pt Leo Estate on the Mornington Peninsula which boasts two hatted restaurants and the largest privately owned sculpture park in the southern hemisphere. In other news, Settlers Spirits has moved into the neighbouring premises at d'Arenberg in McLaren Vale. d'Arenberg purchased the craft distillery in 2021, and has now moved its tasting room to Level 4 of the Cube and is offering gin tastings and flights, including the d'Arenberg Distilled experience where guests learn how botanicals and blending contribute to the purity of artisan gins. Big changes are also afoot for Printhie Wines in the New South Wales region of Orange, which has adopted a new culinary direction overseen by renowned Australian Chef Justin North. A new Chef's Table also allows guests to watch the action in the kitchen, facilitating an intimate dining experience that involves direct engagement with Printhie Dining's team of talented chefs. In Queensland, Sirromet Wines has undergone a refresh of its Tuscan Terrace, with the casually elegant interior now flowing out to the expansive tree-filled terrace, creating a delightful new ambiance. In Tasmania, House of Arras has come under new ownership by Handpicked Wines. It's also been making waves in both the domestic and international wine awards scenes with trophies at the International Wine Challenge 2024, a highly coveted Master Medal at the Global Sparkling Masters, and trophy for best sparkling at Australia's National Wine Show, at which De Bortoli Wines also picked up three trophies. House of Arras Winemaker Ed Carr is also the only Australian winemaker to be shortlisted for Winemaker of the Year at the 2024 International Wine Challenge 2024, with the winners to be announced at the IWC Awards in London in July.

New and refreshed experiences

In South Australia's Barossa Valley, St Hugo has launched a refreshed culinary experience. Garden to Table, an intimate foodie adventure that fosters meaningful connections between guests and talented team of chefs and wine hosts. In the Adelaide Hills, Penfolds Magill Estate recently debuted the Collectors Experience, which includes a bespoke tour of Magill Estate, a private tasting of an exclusive selection of premium wines including the iconic Grange, a copy of Penfolds Rewards of Patience book to take home, a Grange palate cleanser and four exquisite snacks. In Tasmania, House of Arras is offering the exclusive new sparkling wine experience 40 Years of Tirage – a privately hosted tour and tasting that includes pours of three rare museum-release vintages of House of Arras' highly acclaimed top-tier sparkling wines. At d'Arenberg in McLaren Vale, guests can now pair a helicopter flight with a wine blending or dining experience, with the introduction of three new experiences: Helicopter Tour & Blending Bench, Helicopter Tour and d'Arry's Degustation, or Helicopter Transfers, Wine Blending & d'Arry's Degustation.  Sirromet Wines in Queensland has also introduced a Wine Blending Workshop, where guests work with a sommelier to blend, bottle and label their own uniquely crafted wine. In Rutherglen, Stanton & Killeen have been busy opening a chic new speakeasy-style event space which can be booked – including wines and gourmet platters - for private groups of between 4 and 30 guests. Their new Mystery of Muscat guided tour and tasting is now in full swing too, and stay tuned for details on a new Hidden Winery Tour to be launched at the upcoming Dark Side of Wine Festival in Rutherglen in August. In the Yarra Valley near Melbourne, De Bortoli is now offering a Noble One Masterclass highlighting several vintages of the famous Noble One Botrytis Semillon paired with dessert canapés. Guests can also experience a Luxury Picnic in the gardens.

Key collaborations

Two Ultimate Wineries in the Mornington Peninsula have joined forces for an exciting Icons of the Mornington Peninsula collaboration that takes place this August. Montalto Estate and 10 Minutes by Tractor are working together on two events – one at each winery – which aim to showcase the region's best wine and produce and share the stories behind these two iconic producers. In Orange, Printhie Wines has partnered with local accommodation provider Basalt to offer a luxury Dine & Stay experience including two nights' accommodation and a four-course wine-matched lunch at Printhie Dining. In South Australia, Penfolds has teamed up with iconic Barossa Valley retreat Kingsford The Barossa – the filming location for the popular television series McLeod's Daughters – to offer an ongoing experience to celebrate 180 years of Penfolds and the 60 year anniversary of the Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon. Icons of Penfolds at Kingsford the Barossa immerses guests in the picturesque property before a guided Penfolds wine tasting (including the iconic Penfolds Grange) in Kingsford the Barossa's new underground wine chambers. Following this, guests enjoy a curated four-course dinner paired with Penfolds wines at Orleana Restaurant. In McLaren Vale, Gemtree Wines has welcomed four new CABNs to the property, providing an ideal base for exploring Gemtree and nearby Ultimate Wineries d'Arenberg and Hardys Tintara. In the Barossa Valley, Seppeltsfield continues to innovate and collaborate; they've partnered with Beyond Wellness to offer Wellness Retreat Weekends in August and October, and with Journey Beyond Rail to host guests of the Indian Pacific for an off-train excursion dinner. Stay tuned also for a new collaboration between Seppeltsfield and Adelaide's famous Smelly Cheese Co, with a cheese-inspired wine experience to come online in the near future.

Seasonal experiences and events

Australia's truffle season is in full swing over the winter months, and several of our wineries are offering terrific truffle-inspired experiences ranging from truffle hunts to chef's table lunches and wine-matched dinners. Winter is also the perfect time to cosy up to a crackling fire, and Sirromet Wines near Brisbane is the perfect place to do just that. Their Fiery Winter Warmer experience includes the use of a private outdoor firepit and comes with a picnic hamper, rustic barrel table, picnic rug and mulled wine in insulated take-home cups. Another fabulous way to warm up is with Chandon's Winter Fondue experience in the Yarra Valley, which features a rich, creamy fondue of local cheeses with accompaniments for dipping, and a tasting of three sparkling wines. Further south, Pt Leo Estate is running a series of Winter Tides events from June – August, celebrating the change of season and the rugged beauty of the Mornington Peninsula.

In the pipeline

The Barossa Valley's hottest new accommodation project, Oscar Seppeltsfield, has recently received a A$3.5 loan through the South Australian government's Economic Recovery Fund, which will help to progress construction. To be built onsite at Seppeltsfield, the A$80 million hotel will feature 71 opulent rooms, a fine dining restaurant, a lounge area, a rooftop pool, and a terrace bar. Nearby, Australia's oldest family-owned winery Yalumba is celebrating its 175th year, marking its official anniversary on November 17th, 2024 with a series of exciting releases and experiences throughout the year at its home in Eden Valley and abroad. The restaurant at Brown Brothers in Milawa celebrates its 30th year in November, and in 2025, three other Ultimate Wineries celebrate milestone anniversaries; stay tuned for more details as Audrey Wilkinson marks its 20th vintage, and both House of Arras and Swinging Bridge celebrate their 30th anniversaries.

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About Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia:

Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia is a hand-selected collection of premium award-winning wineries offering experiences that invite visitors to go 'beyond the cellar door'. Located in Australia's most renowned wine regions, we offer a diverse range of behind-the-scenes, culinary, and hands-on experiences delivered with warmth and knowledge and epitomise the unique characteristics of a winery and its surrounding region. 

Discover more at www.ultimatewineryexperiences.com.au