According to the Good Food Guide, in the recent rundown of Australia's best winery restaurants 2017:

"If the restaurant industry is having a boom, wineries are flat out on steroids. Millions of dollars are being pumped into the arteries of vineyards across the nation, turning them from functional spaces sometimes slinging you the odd charred pizza into some of the most outstanding dining destinations in the country. And the winner is you."

We couldn't agree more.  Here is a selection of UWEA foodie experiences worth cancelling your afternoon for.

Voyager Estate Discovery Menu

Voyager Estate offers a 6-course and 4-course Discovery Menu.  The famous 6-course Wine Discovery Menu is the signature experience; each course is a chapter of Voyager Estate's wine story, from the vineyard to the table while the 4-course Discovery Menu showcases the beautiful Margaret River region, with three wine varietals that have put this region on the world winemaking map. Both menus, designed by Head chef, Santiago Fernandez and his team, harness the creativity of a true seasonal menu to take advantage of the freshest produce available from local suppliers and the Estate kitchen garden.

On Voyager Estate's Discover Wine & Food Experience, combine an Introduction to Wine Tasting, learning some of the techniques of wine tasting in an interactive and fun way, with a wine-paired six-course, Wine Discovery Menu. A long lunch to remember.

D'Arry's Verandah Restaurant Degustation

With breathtaking views overlooking the rolling hills of McLaren Vale, d'Arry's Verandah Restaurant at d'Arenberg is the idyllic place for an unforgettable dining experience. Head Chef Peter Reschke draws inspiration from local and seasonal produce to complement the award winning d'Arenberg wines, and a selection of international treats. The extensive range of d'Arenberg wines is available for tasting at cellar door.

For those who like to go all the way, d’Arry’s offers a full seasonal degustation menu, with wine pairings for each course selected from the amazing d’Arenberg stable of wines as well as a full vegan degustation.

d'Arenberg's Blending Bench & Degustation experience is a hands on, interactive experience where you play winemaker, followed by an eight course degustation in d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant. 

The Lane Vineyard

The modern Dining Room at The Lane Vineyard sits elevated in the heart of the vineyard overlooking the picturesque Adelaide Hills, perfect for a long lazy lunch.

Here you can discover the subtlety of The Lane Vineyard’s single vineyard wines paired with a menu designed by Executive Chef James Brinklow featuring the very best seasonal South Australian produce.

For the ultimate sensory indulgence, try the Chef's Table experience. Take a seat at the end of the Kitchen pass and be taken on an immersive sensory journey. 

Leeuwin Estate Restaurant

Celebrating the art of living well, the Leeuwin Restaurant combines fine wine and food in a picturesque setting. Sweeping verandahs, bifolding doors and domed skylights allow Leeuwin's Restaurant to bask in the tranquility and beauty of its superb setting, overlooking a meadow surrounded by a forest of majestic karri trees.

The award winning restaurant features seasonal menus utilising the district's fresh food delicacies including asparagus, venison, lamb, seafood, berries and cheese.

The Ultimate Leeuwin Degustation Experience is the most luxurious way to be introduced to the Estate’s unique qualities - fine wine, food and the arts.

Take a peek behind the scenes with a tour introducing the history and winemaking philosophy of Leeuwin Estate. After visiting the Art Gallery to view the unique collection of contemporary Australian artworks that feature on the labels of Leeuwin’s premium ‘Art Series’ range of wines, the tour concludes with a tutored tasting of select Leeuwin Estate wines.

Upon returning to the award winning restaurant, guests will be presented with a seasonal seven course degustation menu accompanied by carefully matched Estate wines. Each dish and wine match will be introduced by the culinary team. An experience to remember for years to come.

The Source

The Source Restaurant at Mona takes its name from the John Olsen painting that hangs from the ceiling in the foyer.

The focus at The Source is on seasonal local produce. Shared plates, fresh, uncomplicated food, and a lovely outlook over the museum grounds.  The wine list features more than ten thousand bottles from around the world, crafted by winemakers and brewers both big and small (of course including a selection of Moorilla wines and Moo Brew beer).

A 3-course lunch at The Source with matched wines from Moorilla’s benchmark Cloth Label and Muse Series is included in Moorilla's Posh-As Day at Mona, along with luxury ferry transfers, museum entry and a private winery tour and tasting.

Montalto Vineyard & Olive Grove Restaurant

This year the Montalto Restaurant notched up its 14th Chef’s Hat at The Age Good Food Guide awards in 2017, with the Guide saying “Montalto is like a checklist to all the finer things in life…”

Offering an elegant regional fine dining experience, the floor to ceiling windows at Montalto Restaurant take advantage of spectacular views of vines, olive groves, sculpture, lakes and wetlands, with pasture, and a hint of the ocean as the backdrop.

To truly unearth the inspiration behind Montalto's food and wine philosophy, we recommend the Estate to Plate - A Gourmet Indulgence experience. This guided exploration of the property will show you the best of the seasonal cycle at Montalto.

You could taste the grapes around vintage, learn how the team grow and make use of the seasonal produce or explore the property’s natural wetlands and extensive permanent sculpture collection.

Included is a private and structured wine tasting in the Wine Experience room overlooking the property, featuring Single Vineyard Wines that truly reflect the location of the vines followed by a stunning three course lunch in the restaurant, with matching wine.