A Canberra weekend for wine lovers
By VisitCanberra
October 24, 2016
Home to 140 vineyards and more than 30 cellar doors, many with national or international accolades, the Canberra District wine region has quickly joined the ranks of the world’s best producers of wine. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or looking to try something new, this suggested weekend itinerary will be more than enough time to fall in love with our regional wines.
Love wine? You’ll love this itinerary which features some of Canberra’s best wine (and wine-friendly) experiences.
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Saturday
Breakfast: Silo Bakery
It’s no secret that cheese and wine are a match made in heaven. You might know Silo Bakery in the southern suburb of Kingston as an iconic café-style foods option, but the cheese room is the real highlight. With a huge selection of Australian and European farmhouse cheeses available for purchase, Silo Bakery also offers a range of gourmet cold cuts and artisan breads and pastries perfect for breakfast.
Visit Silo Bakery -
Morning: Koko Black
There’s no better accompaniment for fine wine than fine chocolates. Drop into Koko Black on your way out to explore the wine region. Koko Black handcrafts their chocolates using specialty techniques from Germany and Belgium. Find chocolate salted caramel sauce and hazelnut spread, and interesting chocolate flavour combinations like the Mango & Vanilla chocolate, the Aurelia Champagne Truffle, and the Orange & Cointreau Truffle.
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Lunch: Café Lerida
Venture out of Canberra for lunch at Café Lerida, situated within the Lerida Estate vineyard and just opposite Lake George. Serving a wide range of dishes, such as the duck and green peppercorn terrine, the Thai beef salad with noodles and the Moroccan-spiced vegetable tagine, Café Lerida also has a matching wine for every menu option.
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Afternoon: Lerida Estate Winery
After lunch, head outside and explore the rest of the vineyard with a winery tour and tasting. With two tour packages to choose from, you’ll have the opportunity to try a mix of the delicious wines on offer. If you prefer to explore on your own, the Lake George Range Walk is the perfect way to see the Estate and Lake George and to take in the beautiful surrounds.
Visit Lerida Estate Winery -
Afternoon: Lake George Winery
Nearby, overlooking the shores of Lake George, the small boutique Lake George Winery is well known for its award winning wines such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Semillon, Merlot and Botrytis Semillon. Lake George Winery is one of the oldest vineyards in the region and maintains its original beauty.
Other must-see Murrumbateman vineyards with cellar doors to add to your tour include Helm Wines, Clonakilla Wines, Jeir Creek Wines, Gallagher Wines, Four Winds Vineyard and Eden Road Wines.
Visit Lake George Winery -
Dinner: Rubicon
Offering one of Canberra’s most awarded wine lists, and just a short drive from Kingston, Rubicon is an elegant dining experience right in the heart of Griffith. With candlelit tables, an extensive wine list and an a la carte menu featuring dishes like wild rabbit, Cone Bay barramundi and spiced rum panna cotta, this restaurant is a wine-lovers paradise.
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Bar: Benchmark Wine Bar
End Saturday on a high note by taking a trip to Benchmark Wine Bar, a short drive from Rubicon into the Canberra city. With more than 100 wines available by the glass, and more than 400 by the bottle, from all over the world including France, Italy and Spain, Benchmark Wine Bar lives up to its name.
Visit Benchmark Wine Bar -
Sunday
Breakfast: Urban Pantry
Ensconced within the leafy suburb of Manuka, this café masters the art of elegant dishes made with seasonal produce. With creations like Caprese omelette and truffled asparagus baguette, you’ll be nothing short of options at Urban Pantry. Also find artisan-made organic sourdough by Sonoma in-store, delivered straight to the café daily.
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Morning: Old Bus Depot Markets
Once you’ve had a satisfying breakfast, walk over to the Kingston Foreshore for the national award-winning Old Bus Depot Markets. With stalls upon stalls of art and photography, fine hand crafted homewares, clothing and jewellery, as well as the finest produce and gourmet foods, you’ll be leaving Canberra with your bags heavier than when you arrived.
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Lunch: Parlour Wine Room
Spending the morning walking around the markets is sure to work up an appetite, so why not have lunch at the Parlour Wine Room in NewActon? Offering a selection of local and international boutique wines, this eatery serves innovative dishes like popcorn squid legs with wheat berries, aioli and green salad, and sweet treats like strawberry and mint Eton mess.
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Afternoon: Mount Majura Vineyard
On your way out of Canberra make sure to stop by Mount Majura Vineyard, a leader in the Canberra District for Spanish varieties such as Tempranillo. Mount Majura Vineyard offers a variety of experiences such as gumboot tours around the vineyard and structured tastings.
Visit Mount Majura Vineyard
With more than 30 cellar doors open to the public within a 40 minute drive of the city, Canberra is an ideal base to explore the Canberra District wine region. For the perfect spot to rest your head check out our great range of Canberra accommodation options.
