Nestled in the cool-climate contours of the Yarra Valley lies sparkling wine pioneer, Chandon. Since establishing its Australian estate in 1986, Chandon has grown into one of Victoria’s benchmark vineyards, thanks to its combination of French savoir-faire and local terroir. Guests can choose how they want to experience the stunning vineyard. Whether it’s sitting among the vines with a Garden Spritz Picnic, settling in for a long lunch at Chandon Restaurant or treating themselves to a private tasting, the winery is a playground for sparkling lovers. 727 Maroonda Highway, Coldstream; chandon.com.au

In north-east Victoria, there’s a very special winery on the banks of the Murray River. All Saints Estate is an historic, family-owned winery established in the 1860s which is now owned by the Brown siblings. The castle-like exterior is just the beginning of your magical experience – from juicy cabernets that pair beautifully with the puffy, wood-fired pizza served at Bonnie (the estate’s newest eatery), to regular annual events like ‘taste the family cellar’ where you’ll sample some of the estate’s oldest and rarest wines. 205 All Saints Rd, Wahgunyah; allsaintswine.com.au

If you like your vineyards with a view (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?), head to Jack Rabbit Vineyard on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula, where you’ll have incredible views across the bay to Geelong, the You Yangs and Melbourne. Known for their cool climate vintages, the maritime environment produces exceptionally sophisticated wines – from their pithy pinot grigio to a crisp, effervescent single vineyard sparkling blanc de blanc. 85 McAdams Lane, Bellarine; jackrabbitvineyard.com.au

With 12 hectares of vineyards, olive groves, kitchen gardens (which happen to be among Victoria’s oldest and largest) and sculpture trails, Montalto is one of the Mornington Peninsula’s most well-known wineries. One of the best ways for you to get to know the winery is through an Estate to Plate experience, where you’ll tour the kitchen gardens, taste the cool-climate wines before settling into a multi-course tasting experience (with the award-winning wines, of course). 33 Shoreham Rd, Montalto; montalto.com.au Related story: 11 of the best regional hotels to visit in Victoria

You can definitely say you’ve got wine in your blood if you’re a ninth-generation winemaker like Dominique Portet who brings centuries of French winemaking heritage to Australia. Established in 2000, Dominique Portet Winery presents a petite slice of Bordeaux (think white French doors, olive trees and shutters) in the Yarra Valley. The winery is known for its impeccable wines, including the flagship Andre cabernet sauvignon and highly regarded Fontaine rosé. 870-872 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream; dominiqueportet.com

The very model of a modern winemaking space is Boomtown Winery at The Mill in Castlemaine, home to Minim Wine, Analog, Jeffrey Wine and Puta Bida. This is small-scale, artisan winemaking at its best, where young and aspiring winemakers cooperate and start their own labels. Keep an eye on Boomtown’s events page too – there’s everything from restaurant pop ups to disco nights, making this one fun winery to visit. Shed 10/9 Walker St, Castlemaine; boomtownwine.com.au

Rolling hills, picturesque vineyards, leaves that glow aflame in the autumn – these are the things that make our winery dreams come true. The De Bortoli family and their story of determination and triumph is one that began nearly 100 years ago in war-torn Europe, and is now told four generations later in the beautiful Yarra Valley. You can also step beyond the cellar door and book a spot on the highly-recommended Unique De Bortoli behind the scenes experience. 58 Pinnacle Ln, Dixons Creek; debortoli.com.au

Known as ‘tabilk-tabilk’ (place of many waterholes) in the language of the Daung-wurrung, the landscape surrounding Tahbilk Winery is one of rivers, creeks and wetlands. It’s the ideal spot to sample the carbon-neutral wines, particularly the shiraz (some of the oldest shiraz plantings date back to the 1860s). With beautiful gardens, underground cellars, cafe and a cellar door overlooking the ancient Goulburn River, Tahbilk is also the place of many hours well spent. 252 O’Neils Road, Tabilk; tahbilk.com.au

Fans of wine, food and art won’t want to miss Pt. Leo Estate in Merricks on the Mornington Peninsula for its striking views of Western Port and Phillip Island. The 20-hectare vineyard creates aromatic pinot gris and sophisticated chardonnays and these are best sampled after wandering through the estate’s sculpture park – an awe-inspiring, ever-changing, open-air gallery of over 60 Australian and international exhibits. Linger at Laura, which has put Merricks on the map as one of the best beach towns in Victoria for eating and drinking. 3649 Frankston-Flinders Road, Merricks; Pt. Leo Estate

The newly opened ‘Peter’s Odyssey Tram Bar’ sits pride of place at Terindah Estate. The quirky yet charming bar is a decommissioned old W Class tram which boasts incredible views over Port Phillip Bay. The bar is named after the former owner, who had a vision and dream for the tram, and who sadly passed away at the start of 2022. Peter’s dream became a reality when the bar was officially opened this year. Raise a glass in his honour. 90 McAdams Ln, Bellarine; terindahestate.com

Six generations of the Morris family have been making fortified wine in Rutherglen since 1859. Their Old Premium Rare Liquer Muscat was declared Best Muscat in the World at Muscats du Monde in 2018 and scored 100 points from James Halliday in 2020. The recently renovated cellar door includes a state-of-the-art tasting bar and barrel hall. The whisky, aged in Morris fortified wine barrels, is also very good. Open daily. 154 Mia Mia Road, Browns Plains, Rutherglen; morrisofrutherglen.com

The bony ridge of the Black Ranges is framed in the floor-to-ceiling glass windows of the Chrismont Restaurant & Larder, set high above the creases of the King Valley. Settle in for dishes that draw from the Pizzini family’s Italian heritage, like slow-cooked osso buco or house-made potato gnocchi. Enjoy your seasonal feast alongside the estate’s prosecco, barbera and nebbiolo. The new Retreat Studios make an overnight stay an option. 251 Upper King River Road, Cheshunt; chrismont.com.au

John Darling planted the first commercial vines in the upper King Valley in 1970. His daughters Grace and Sophie now run the estate, making small-batch wines with minimal intervention adjacent to the cellar door. The setting is quietly spectacular: vines embroidering the valley below, mountains beyond. A weekend cellar door stop rather than a full restaurant, but the wines and view are worth the drive up from Whitfield. Open weekends. 94 Whitty Lane, Whitfield; darlingestate.com.au

The six-generation Jones family has been farming this land since 1860. Chef Briony Bradford, who trained with Michelin-starred chefs in London before landing in Rutherglen, runs a French country kitchen that pivots with the seasons and her mood. Murray Grey beef, local pork, duck and trout all make appearances on the menu. Dine beside the vines or order the charcuterie plate to take on a picnic in the grounds. Open Thursday to Monday for lunch. 61 Jones Road, Rutherglen; joneswinery.com.au

The Ritchie family has been farming at the base of the Victorian Alps for more than 140 years and established Delatite Winery in 1968. In 2021 they opened an architecturally designed cellar door and dining room framing views of Mount Buller. The share-plate menu draws from the estate’s own orchard, a growing permaculture garden and local producers and the biodynamic wines are excellent. Sit outside in summer; curl up by the fire in winter. 390 Pollards Road, Mansfield; delatitewinery.com.au