Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia

6 sensational sparkling experiences across Australia

Whether you’re looking to learn the art of making sparkling wine, or simply to pop some fizz and have some laughs with your loved ones, look no further than the Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia. From becoming a sparkling scholar in Tasmania to prosecco-matched brunching in Victoria’s High Country, these six sparkling experiences are ready to be uncorked.

1. Indulge with Étoile at Chandon in the Yarra Valley

Guests can sample one of the most extensive ranges of méthode traditionnelle wines in the country at Chandon in Victoria’s Yarra Valley, less than an hour from Melbourne. Chandon is Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton’s (LVMH) sparkling-wine Maison, and the Yarra Valley property is part of a global family of six Chandon wineries offering a bespoke journey into the craftsmanship of exceptional sparkling wine. Indulge with Étoile features a meticulously crafted 7-course degustation menu featuring premium ingredients like oysters, caviar, crayfish and prawns, perfectly paired with Chandon's luminous new masterblend, Chandon Étoile. This experience takes place in the restaurant, where preferential window seating allows the breathtaking views to complement the attentive service.

WHEN: Monday to Friday at 12pm and 1pm, Saturday & Sunday at 1pm

WHERE: Chandon, 727 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream, VIC

COST: A$180 per person

TIP: Pair Indulge with Étoile with the immersive Behind The Bubbles experience, which provides a behind-the-scenes look into the traditional method of making sparkling wine and a private wine-blending experience in Chandon's Riddling Hall.

2. Take a sparkling masterclass at Printhie Wines in Orange

In the picturesque region of Orange in New South Wales, sparkling experts Printhie Wines invite guests to discover the secrets behind the highly awarded méthode traditionnelle Swift Sparkling range, which reflects exceptional cool climate craftsmanship. The Sparkling Masterclass experience includes a guided walking tour of the vineyard with one of Printhie’s sparkling specialists plus a private tasting in the cellar – including sparkling wines of 10+ years age – where you’ll gain a rare insight into the process of creating fine sparkling wine, from base wine to the disgorging and ageing process. Finish with a four-course wine-matched lunch at the recently transformed Printhie Dining, starring premium locally sourced ingredients.

WHEN: Thursday to Sunday at 11am

WHERE: Printhie Wines, 208 Nancarrow Lane, Nashdale, NSW

COST: A$385 per person

TIP: New architecturally designed luxury studios Basalt are just a short drive from Printhie and offers the perfect place to settle in for a relaxing weekend in this beautiful wine region.

3. Become a sparkling scholar at House of Arras in Tasmania

A trip to northern Tasmania wouldn’t be complete without a visit to House of Arras, one of Australia’s most esteemed producers of sparkling wine. During the Sparkling Scholar experience, you’ll unfurl the ‘tapestry of terroir’ as you sample an extensive range of sparkling wines, including vintage and non-vintage méthode traditionelle wines. Discover the secrets of Tasmania’s diverse grape growing terroirs, varying climates and fascinating agricultural history.

WHEN: Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 10am, 12pm and 2pm

WHERE: House of Arras, 40 Baxters Road, Piper River, TAS

COST: A$105 per person

TIP: For an exclusive, private experience, take a deep-dive into aged sparkling wines with 40 Years of Tirage, which explores House of Arras’ most prized sparkling wines, collectively aged for 40 years on yeast lees (tirage).

4. Pop some fizz at Pizzini in the King Valley

In the King Valley, roughly three hours’ drive from Melbourne, Prosecco – a style of sparkling wine pioneered in Italy - reigns supreme. So, it’s no surprise that the Pizzini family, who are of Italian heritage, are experts in this approachable style of bubbles. Pop and Fizz is an energetic, educational and fun-filled experience that teaches guests the lesser-known aspects of Prosecco by way of a tutored Prosecco tasting session paired with a local cheese platter, hosted in the private tasting room which seats up to eight guests.

WHEN: Daily at 11am

WHERE: Pizzini Wines, 175 King Valley Road, Whitfield VIC

COST: A$75 per person

TIP: Prosecco is known as the ‘fun’ Italian sparkling wine, so the Pizzini family recommends this experience is best enjoyed with a group of friends.

5. Learn the art of sparkling at Josef Chromy in Tasmania

Just 15 minutes from Launceston, Tasmania’s Tamar Valley is home to Josef Chromy Wines. Here, you can learn The Art of Sparkling starting with a guided tour of the grounds as you take in the history of the vineyards and story behind founder Josef Chromy OAM, who’s been instrumental in the development of the Tasmanian wine industry. Next, you’ll be taken through the sparkling wine making process before a hands-on sparkling experience where you learn about dosage (sugar) levels while blending your own take-home bottle of sparkling, crafted to your exact taste. The experience culminates with a two-course wine-matched lunch in the hatted restaurant.

WHEN: Monday to Friday at 11am

WHERE: Josef Chromy Wines, 370 Relbia Road, Relbia, TAS

COST: A$290 per person

TIP: Can’t get enough of the sparkling wine you created? The Josef Chromy team can arrange to have more produced at this exact dosage level and have it shipped home for you.

6. Enjoy a prosecco brunch at Brown Brothers in Milawa

The playful, lower-alcohol style of Prosecco makes it the perfect wine at any time of day. Enter the Prosecco Brunch experience at Brown Brothers in Milawa, where you’ll taste your way through the range of Prosecco whilst indulging in a gourmet spread of freshly baked sweets and pastries, local Milawa cheeses, house-made delicacies, terrines and seasonal fruits. Held in the private Prosecco Lounge and available for groups of up to 12 guests, this light-hearted experience is a fun way to kick off a day exploring the King Valley region north-east of Melbourne.

WHEN: Daily at 9am

WHERE: Brown Brothers, 239 Milawa-Bobinawarrah Road, Milawa VIC

COST: A$65 per person

TIP: Afterwards, grab a beanbag and kick back under a tree in the beautiful grounds. There’s a grazing menu available, or you can dine at the hatted onsite restaurant for the full Brown Brothers experience.