From exploring outdoor sculptures among the vines to tasting bush tucker with a glass of sparkling in hand, here are five ways to get an arts and culture fix (with wine in hand!) through Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia.
1. Discover the art of fine wine at Leeuwin Estate
With its famous tagline ‘the art of fine wine’, Leeuwin Estate in the Margaret River region is intrinsically linked with the arts. The widely celebrated Leeuwin Concerts ran for 34 years and featured an eclectic mix of the world’s finest musicians and entertainers. Kick off a visit to this iconic winery by perusing the ‘hall of fame’ on the front verandah, featuring a sensational display of framed photographs of past Leeuwin Concert artists – from Ray Charles to Tom Jones, Sting and Carole King. Then, embark on the Art and Wine Pairing experience, where you’ll start with morning tea and an introduction to the Estate before a guided tour of the onsite art gallery which showcases the compelling collection of contemporary Australian artworks featured on the winery’s iconic ‘Art Series’ labels, including John Olsen, Arthur Boyd and Sir Sidney Nolan. The experience ends with a tutored wine tasting featuring five wines accompanied with West Australian delicacies.
TIP: Step things up a notch with the Seasonal Experience: Art, Wine & Farm to Fork Indulgence which includes a three-course lunch matched with Art Series Wines.
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2. Explore the d’Arenberg Cube
Inspired by the complexities and puzzles of winemaking, the Rubik’s Cube-shaped d’Arenberg Cube is a work of art in itself – offering five levels of sensory experience including an Alternate Realities Museum and a tasting room on the top floor with panoramic views over McLaren Vale, the Willunga Hills and the Gulf St Vincent. Just 40 minutes from Adelaide, each of the Cube’s five levels have been carefully designed to entice and excite the senses, including features such as a wine sensory room, a virtual fermenter, a 360-degree video room, and many other tactile experiences. It’s also home to a Salvador Dalí exhibition and the vibrant Singapore Circus restaurant which serves up bold, flavoursome south-east Asian inspired cuisine matched with d’Arenberg’s vast and eclectic range of wines. After you’ve explored the Alternate Realties Museum, create your very own wine blend with the Blending Bench experience on level four of the Cube.
TIP: To avoid the crowds, the exclusive Unlocked: The d’Arenberg Cube experience allows up to 10 guests exclusive access to the Cube before it opens to the public for the day.
3. Spend a posh-as day at Moorilla and the famous Mona Museum
A trip to Tasmania’s capital of Hobart wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the iconic Mona (Museum of Old and New Art). The onsite Ultimate Winery, Moorilla, has seamlessly combined the fascinating world of wine and art with Moorilla’s Posh-As Day at Mona experience. Start the with a fast-ferry ride from Hobart in the exclusive ‘Posh Pit’ section before a self-guided exploration of the museum and grounds. Next up is a mid-morning tour to of the Moorilla winery – hosted by one of Moorilla’s self-proclaimed ‘wine-nerds’ – and a comprehensive wine tasting in the deluxe underground wine bunker. Then it’s off to a seasonal, locally sourced lunch in one of Mona’s
restaurants before an afternoon of further museum exploration and a late-afternoon fast ferry back to Hobart (in the Posh Pit, of course!).
TIP: You’ll receive a 15% discount on any purchases made from the cellar door on the day, and a bottle of Muse or Praxis wine to take home.
4. Marvel at sculptures on the Mornington Peninsula
Just an hour’s drive from Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula ticks both the boxes for a wine and art lover. Pt. Leo Estate is home to the largest privately owned sculpture collection in Australia – a 16-acre outdoor gallery housing more than 60 large format Australian and
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international artworks from renowned sculptors including KAWS and Yayoi Kusama. Take a guided tour of the sculpture park with Pt. Leo’s Sculpture Park Cultural Experience and Wine Tasting, which includes a pre-tour glass of Pt. Leo Estate wine, a private tour of the park, a cheeky mid-way glass of bubbles with some light snacks, followed by a wine tasting at cellar door. At Montalto Estate, take a self-guided tour of the onsite sculpture trail – a permanent collection of contemporary sculptures showcasing the best of (mainly) Australian artists. Learn the art of growing and harvesting vegetables while you’re at it, with Montalto’s Estate to Plate experience which includes a guided tour of the kitchen garden – one of the oldest and largest in Australia – and a fabulous wine-matched lunch.
TIP: While you’re on the Mornington Peninsula, don’t miss a stop at Ten Minutes by Tractor – it’s just down the
road from Montalto, and makes seriously good Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
5. Discover Aboriginal art and bush tucker in the Swan Valley
If you’re visiting the Swan Valley in Western Australia, be sure to swing by Mandoon Estate for a taste of local Indigenous food and culture. Meet Noongar Elder, Dale Tilbrook – affectionately known as the ‘Bush Tucker Queen’ – who hosts the Bush Tucker Tasting and Talk experience, which kicks off with a glass of bubbles and a rundown on the history of Mandoon Estate in the cellar door. Next, taste traditional bush food with Dale and learn about Indigenous farming methods and hear the stories of the Noongar peoples from this ancient land. Continue the Mandoon experience with a wander through Dale’s Maalinup Aboriginal Gallery, which specialises in fine art by Indigenous artists from Western Australia, before lunching at Mandoon’s Wild Swan restaurant or Homestead Brewery.
TIP: Settle in for the night at the 32-room onsite hotel Maya Maya, which means ‘camp’ in local language.
