The only thing better than a day sipping vino at a winery, is knowing that you don’t have to leave.
Enter: winery Slow Stays—where clever people craft thoughtfully-designed accommodation and place them on vineyards for the adventurers among us who follow their tastebuds, as much as their GPS.
It’s safe to say, you’ll come for the wine and stay for the digs with these 6 wine-infused getaways.
WANDER IN THE SCENIC RIM
Scenic Rim, QLD
It’s not often you get to visit a vineyard on an island in one of the most beautiful rural pockets of Australia, let alone stay the night (or two). But that’s exactly what lies ahead when you book a getaway to one of the five secluded WanderPods at The Overflow 1895. Nestled in the Scenic Rim, overlooking Lake Wyaralong, these one and two-bedroom off-grid pavilions are striking in design and sustainable in function, integrating composting and aiming for a zero-waste system throughout. Sleep wrapped in 100% Flax linen, sink into the outdoor bath, bask in the golden light by the firepit, or pour a glass from the complimentary bottle of The Overflow wine and then do all three. If your trip coincides with a weekend, be sure to book a seat at the on-site restaurant for a seasonal lunch that will delight and inspire.
DINNY
Majura, ACT
A short drive from Canberra, on the fertile grounds of Mount Majura Vineyard, sits a tiny home for two, that is as small in size as it is big on impact. Named after one of the vineyard’s original owners, Dinny was designed to feel homely, with purposeful nooks carved out within its handcrafted walls so that it wasn’t just a single open space. If you can pull your eyes away from the captivating picture window that lets the outdoors in, you may notice the attention to detail, from the local ceramics and furnishings to the luxe linen. The deck is the perfect spot to perch with a boutique drop from the cellar door, so do yourself a favour and grab a bottle when you pass it on the way down to your winery digs.
LOST RETREATS
Mount Jagged, SA,
Slip into a steaming freestanding outdoor bath and down a glass of organic wine, surrounded by the vineyards from which it came—such is life at the custom-built Lost Retreats in Mt Jagged. Sitting on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, a region renowned for its world class wine, this lakeside eco retreat was brought to life by an architect and a pair of sustainable builders using recycled materials. But don’t be fooled, there’s nothing rustic about this Slow Stay. Boasting a record player, fireplace and finer details, like handblown glassware, this winery getaway provides the ultimate location to rest and recalibrate.
DOMESCAPES
Sidmouth, TAS
Blend bubble tents with vineyards and you’ll get Domescapes—perhaps the most unique winery stay in Tasmania. Located in the heart of the Tamar Valley wine region, these six-metre geodesic domes have been designed with double-insulation and heating to combat chilly winters, so there’s no wrong time to book a stay. After a tasting session at the rustic Swinging Gate Vineyard’s cellar door, wander back to your tent for some serious stargazing and an uninterrupted slumber.
PETIT ECO CABIN
Yallingup, WA
The Margaret River region is synonymous with impressive wineries and a smorgasbord of gastronomic delights, so there’s no better way to experience a slice of this West Australian paradise than with a stay at one of the local vineyards. Perched to take in the glorious northern light, Petit Eco Cabin can be found at Windows Estate, a certified organic winery in Yallingup. Made locally, using timber milled by the owner’s father, there is nothing cookie cutter about this architecturally-designed cabin. There’s no Wi-Fi or TV out here, so check-in and switch off with a stroll to the cellar door and then an evening soak in the vintage outdoor tub—words can’t paint how picturesque the setting is.
NASHDALE LANE
Orange, NSW
Take your camping trip to the next-level and ditch your dingy tent for a weekend spent glamping at a winery. Sounds like heaven, no? Set the GPS to Nashdale Lane’s cellar door in Orange to taste a handcrafted range of lip-smacking sustainable wines, then, rather than heading home or convincing your co-drinker to be the designated driver, book a night at one of the luxury bell tents dotted on the property. Decked out with high-end comforts, you can expect hardwood flooring (no dirt floors around here!), custom-made kitchen, a four poster bed and soul-warming merino wool blankets—you are still glamping, after all.
