Explore Victoria’s Pyrenees wine region

While Adelaide has the Barossa Valley, Sydney has the Hunter Valley and Melbourne the Mornington Peninsula, Ballarat’s go-to wine region is the Pyrenees.

Dominated by the rugged and beautiful Pyrenees Ranges, the foothills and flats below have proved to be perfect for growing grapes and making wine since the first vine was planted in 1858.

Today, there are over 25 wineries in the region, many offering exceptional cellar door experiences, picnics, barrel tastings and award-winning restaurants.

Filled with hidden picnic spots and charming country villages, the Pyrenees is the stunning wine region Ballarat locals head to – and the nearest wineries are less than 30 minutes away.

Breathtaking vineyard views

Located only 25 minutes’ drive from Ballarat, Wayward Winery features a newly-renovated cellar door and restaurant with a focus on local produce and an emphasis on cooking with fire. 

Led by the team behind Renard, Wayward is a must-visit destination for long lunches or a weekend away.

While away the afternoon with a wood-fired pizza on the deck, with breathtaking views of the vines and surrounding ranges.

Other top wineries offering up panoramic views include Bigibila and Dalwhinnie in Moonambel and Blue Pyrenees in Avoca.

Live music at cellar doors

Visit the character-filled Sally’s Paddock at Redbank Winery on a Saturday and enjoy some atmospheric guitar and banjo over lunch by local musician Graeme Akers.

Platters are served from 11am–3pm from the Flying Pig Deli, or you can pair an espresso with one of Sally’s homemade cakes.

For a Sunday session, head to one of the pioneers of the Pyrenees renaissance in the 1960s, Taltarni, with its beautiful vineyards in Moonambel.

Relax in a beanbag on the lawn or seated on the veranda for outdoor live music on Sunday afternoons.

Indulge in a ploughman’s platter of locally-produced cheeses, meats and breads, or the delectable Taltarni wine and cheese pairing. If you have a sweet tooth, there’s even chocolate and wine tastings.

Blend a signature gin at Mrs Baker’s Still House

Mrs Baker’s Still House is a a female-led micro-distillery making award-winning gins and liqueurs in the tiny hamlet of Glenpatrick.

Originally trained as a botanist and with grassroots in the wine industry, Jane Baker brings a unique horticultural lens to Mrs Baker’s blends.

Join the gin blending masterclass to experiment with up to 15 different botanicals as you blend up a bottle of your own signature gin.

The farmhouse kitchen is an inspiring setting to harness your inner scientist and use an assortment of test tubes and beakers to craft your own unique blend.

Creative types may want to opt for a relaxed afternoon of painting botanicals and sipping gin.

As this is a working farm, if you are stopping by on a weekend for guided tastings or cellar door sales, make sure you call ahead to let Jane know you’re coming.

Paddock to plate at Summerfield Winery

Summerfield Winery offer wine flights, woodfired pizzas, sourdough breads and freshly-baked pastry products, both savoury and sweet.

If pizza isn’t your thing, they have a deli stocking local and international produce such as smoked meats, cheeses, jams, chutney, relish, olives, oil and nuts.

Summerfield’s passion for food has evolved into growing its own pork and lamb which is sold through the winery’s restaurant and deli.

Picnic at Blue Pyrenees Estate

Blue Pyrenees Estate near Avoca has geared up for the perfect picnic experience combining fine food, beautiful landscape and a bottle of its flagship sparkling wine, Midnight Cuvee.

The grazing platters consist of local and housemade goods including tapas, smallgoods, charcuterie and cheese.

Order a platter and lay out the picnic rug (provided with the platter) in your chosen spot in the shaded gardens.

A short stroll up the hill from the winery is the cellar door.

Here you learn about the wine-making process and can taste a substantial range of the wines on offer.

This includes a range of limited release styles exclusively available to Blue Pyrenees’ Single Vineyard Wine Club members.

Cafe Blue is open seven days a week from 11am-5pm, serving lunch in two sittings at midday and 2pm daily.

There’s also live music on the fourth Sunday of each month (check their Instagram for details before you visit).

Fine dining at Magnolia

Located in the historic town of Beaufort, Magnolia offers a rustic fine dining experience.

Chef Anjal Joshi breathes new life into the iconic restaurant with a culinary approach which revolves around merging the nostalgia of traditional cooking with the innovative practices of modern gastronomy.

Each dish is a work of art and tells a story of passion and flavour.

Off-the-grid stays

Ballarat is a convenient gateway to the region and has a diverse range of accommodation options, from tiny homes to luxury heritage boutiques.

You’ll also find unique stays in the Pyrenees, often family-owned and operated, that embrace the region’s warm hospitality and stunning rural landscapes.

The sprawling Mount Mitchell Estate includes three fully-furnished accommodation options.

Mount Mitchell Cottage and Mitchell House are located on the estate near Lexton, while The Abode property is located just five minutes from Moonambel (30 minutes from Mount Mitchell Estate).

The four-star Eco-Luxe at Mount Avoca offers self-contained lodges nestled amongst picturesque organic vineyard and olive groves.

The stay includes continental breakfast, a welcome bottle of wine and complimentary use of mountain bikes.

Just beyond Avoca, hike up into the bushland behind Peerick Winery to one of three off-grid Unyoked cabins.

Each cabin has undisrupted views of the vineyards and rolling hills below.

If a deep bubble bath is more your style, try the evocative The Glut Farm.

This luxury farm stay can accommodate up to seven people, with an outdoor woodfire oven for the ultimate pizza night.

It is a great base to explore the hiking trails of nearby Mt Cole or just spend your weekend on the couch with some local wines.

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Weekend Roadtrip

Two days up your sleeve? Check out this self-drive Pyrenees itinerary from Ballarat.