When you pull up at this cellar door on the Mornington Peninsula you know you’re in for an elegant tasting. The sommelier is knowledgeable and charming and, after your tasting, ushers you through to the stylish restaurant. Book a window seat so you can look out over the vines as you partake in a refined dining experience. Must-try, the pinot noir and chardonnay. 1333 Mornington Flinders Rd, Main Ridge tenminutesbytractor.com.au

Healesville, an hour out of Melbourne, is home to a handful of cellar doors so it’s perfect for a day trip. Innocent Bystander is easygoing as it is huge. On weekends, people line up for the wine on tap and the antipasto platters and woodfired pizzas, so get there before the lunch rush. Try the prosecco, pinot noir, syrah, tempranillo, rosé, moscato and more, either with a sommelier or choose a self-guided tasting via paddles. 316-334 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville innocentbystander.com.au

A star of the Ballarat and Pyrenees wine region, this winery has won many awards for its sparkling wine. At the cellar door is the Blue Cafe, where you can enjoy a grazing platter or you can take a bottle and your meal outside and watch visitors playing petanque on the expansive lawns. Vinoca Rd, Avoca bluepyrenees.com.au

This family-owned winery in North East Victoria specialises in Italian-style wines, including pinot grigio, nebbiolo, sangiovese, prosecco and arneis. Katrina Pizzini runs A Tavola cooking school at the cellar door, where you can learn the secret to making perfect pasta and risotto to match to enjoy with your favourite drop. 175 King Valley Rd, Whitfield pizzini.com.au

Planted originally with Pinot noir and Chardonnay grapes, this attractive Bellarine Peninsula winery has grown with further plantings increasing the varieties to include Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris. The rustic interior of the cellar door and bistro is charming, lined with towers of oak barrels and framed by large timber doors and windows. The deck grants magnificent views of the vines. 2490 Midland Hwy, Bannockburn clydepark.com.au

This cellar door is brilliant for wine tasting, and offers an extensive range of estate-grown and single-vineyard wines. The adjoining Cheese Shop sells a selection of fine cheeses and platters, and upstairs, Locale Restaurant has a range of classic Italian dishes to pair with the wines. 58 Pinnacle Ln, Dixons Creek debortoli.com.au

It is a delight to sit outside on a sunny day overlooking the hills with a grazing platter and a bottle of one of Medhurst’s fabulous wines. With lots of green open space, this Yarra Valley winery is the ideal family-friendly spot for a destination lunch. Try the chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz or rosé. 24-26 Medhurst Rd, Gruyere, Yarra Valley medhurstwines.com.au

Shiraz is the hero of the Heathcote region and Merindoc Vintners wines are no exception. The attached bistro has an interesting menu, with most produce sourced from local producers as well as their own farm. Settle in for a long lunch or indulge in a sharing plate. There is even a children’s menu to keep the little ones happy. 2905 Lancefield-Tooborac Rd, Tooborac merindoc.com.au

This Rutherglen winery resembles an English castle set among perfectly manicured gardens. The impressive surroundings add to the old-world charm of this family-run business. The tasting experience is a journey through the award-winning table and fortified wines, led by knowledgeable and dedicated staff. Private tasting masterclasses can be booked in advance. Renowned chef, Simon Arkless, heads the team at The Terrace restaurant. 315 All Saints Rd, Wahgunya allsaintswine.com.au

With its vineyards and winery located in the dramatic Strathbogie Ranges wine region, Fowles Cellar Door is an exciting place for food-and-wine lovers. This winery was the first to specifically create wines to pair with game meat. In the cafe you can indulge in the ‘gamekeeper’s platter’ and match your wines for a unique tasting experience. Cakes and snacks are also available. Cnr Hume Fwy and Lambing Gully Rd, Avenel fowleswine.com