9 of our favourite cellar door experiences around Canberra

Canberra’s wine region is an underrated gem in the landscape of Australian wine. We punch above our weight when it comes to zippy riesling, peppery shiraz and we’re leading the way on alternative varietals. And this is a fabulous time of year for a drive out to a cellar door.

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but here are a handful of our favourite cellar doors in the Canberra wine region.

Shaw Estate, Murrumbateman

A recent renovation has transformed Shaw Estate into a chic, architecturally designed space. There’s a glamorous mediterranean restaurant serving up stellar plates of antipasti, steak, pasta and a seriously good tiramisu.

If you’re just looking to try the wine, tastings are available for four or six wines, or try the vintage wines experience which gives you access to some of the older wines in the cellar.

Vintner’s Daughter, Murrumbateman

Helmed, as it were, by Stephanie Helm (the daughter of legendary Canberra winemaker Ken Helm) and husband Benjamin Osborne, Vintner’s Daughter has a charming cellar door just outside Murrumbateman.

Experience a guided tasting in the warm cellar door, or bathe in the afternoon light on the verandah.

If you plan an early arrival there is the option to join morning feeding time and meet the chickens, peacocks, dairy goats, deer, cows and Babydoll sheep who call Vintner’s Daughter home.

Mount Majura Vineyard, Majura

The only Canberra district winery actually within the borders of the ACT, Mount Majura Vineyard is just 15 minutes away from the centre of town. The cellar door is perched on the northeast-facing side of the mountain, looking out over the Majura Valley and open seven days.

There are several tasting options available; the winemakers’ choice features their favourite wines, while the alternative varietals tasting offers the chance to taste the unusual grapes that winemaker Jeremy Nascimben has been experimenting with. During winter Mount Majura teams up with neighbours at The Truffle Farm for a truffle-infused tasting experience.

Heywood, Wallaroo

A rockstar of Canberra’s wine scene, Nick O’Leary’s riesling is so commonly seen on Canberra tables we may as well adopt it instead of tap water.

But there’s far more depth to the cellar than just riesling and a visit to the Nick O’Leary Heywood Cellar Door is the best way to find out more. A guided tasting is available at the bar, but you can also order a flight of wines to accompany your meal at the restaurant – order the NAME and thank me later – including museum vintages.

You might arrive a riesling lover, but walk away having fallen for a chardonnay or shiraz.

Four Winds Vineyard, Murrumbateman

Four Winds Vineyard made headlines in 2024 when its shiraz won the prestigious Jimmy Watson Trophy for a young red wine at the Melbourne Wine Show.

These days you can’t buy a bottle of it for love nor money, but fortunately the Four Winds team makes a whole lot of other really excellent wines. The wines are available to taste as flights – choose from red, white, or mixed – with tasting notes supplied so you can sip at your own pace. This family-friendly venue also serves cracking wood fired pizzas, or build your own deli platter and enjoy it in the sun.

Pop across the lane to Dionysus Winery to taste their handmade chocolates for dessert.

Brindabella Hills, Hall

There’s no competition when it comes to the search for the cellar door with the best view. Brindabella Hills is unmatched for its vista over the eponymous range and down to the Murrumbidgee River. Golden hour here is a thing of beauty.

The restaurant offers a set menu lunch, with optional matching wines, or wines by the glass can be enjoyed on the terrace with a grazing board.

Its 2025 riesling was the talk of the 2025 Canberra Wine Show, taking out the triple-whammy of Best Riesling, Best White and Best Wine of Show.

Yarrh Wines, Murrumbateman

Yarrh Wines has a passion for sustainability and make some underrated – but truly fabulous – wines. Under the stewardship of Fiona Wholohan and Neil McGregor for 27 years, Yarrh has recently been handed over to young guns Caleb Wearne and Jessica Caruso.

They’re continuing the legacy of low-intervention, single vineyard wines with a strong emphasis on regenerative farming practices.

The cellar door at Yarrh offers tastings, charcuterie or a two-course lunch. There are also two beautifully designed tiny homes on the property for overnight guests.

Sapling Yard, Bungendore

In the heart of Bungendore, Carla Rodeghiero pours her Sapling Yard wines on a characterful bar of reclaimed wood and corrugated iron. The Italian-inspired wines are regularly awarded at boutique wine shows, with excellent choices from the Entrechat sparkling (made in the traditions of a French Champagne) to the full bodied red blend known as The Extrovert.

The charming old building also houses the Southern Harvest Co-operative shop and Scrumper’s Kitchen restaurant (who also supply cheese boards for cellar door visitors).

Poacher’s Restaurant and Vineyard, Springrange

Poacher’s Vineyard is now run by second generation grower William Bruce and getting better every year.

The onsite restaurant offers seasonal menus by executive chef Adam Wilson: think roasted duck with fennel and quince, pumpkin croquettes and Parisian gnocchi with hazelnut and mushrooms. Causal tastings are available at the bar or opt for a more formal seated option. Poachers is also a popular wedding venue: the gardens make a stunning backdrop.

And if you’re looking for a cellar door experience without leaving town, Canberra Cellar Door pops up at the Canberra Visitors Centre every weekend with tastings from a range of local wineries.

What are your favourite local cellar doors?

Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Region Canberra.

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