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Weekender's guide to Rutherglen
Where to eat, drink, stay and play in Australia's home of fortified wine, Rutherglen.
From its historic wineries to its heritage-lined Main Street and scenic surrounds, Rutherglen wine region deserves to be on every traveller's radar.
Situated in a bucolic little pocket north of Wangaratta and ten kilometres shy of the Murray River, whose serpentine undulations trace the border between Australia’s two most populous states of New South Wales and Victoria, Rutherglen’s charms cannot be overstated. Initially founded by squatters in 1836, the discovery of gold in nearby Chiltern drove a population boom that established the town of Rutherglen as we know it in or around 1860.
Even before that, however, enterprising minds with an eye for its sandy loam, well-draining soils saw the potential here, with vines planted some five years earlier. “Dig gentlemen, dig,” said Lindsay Brown, “but no deeper than six inches, for there is more gold to be won from the top six inches than from all of the depths below.” Brown, believed to be the father of Rutherglen wine, had planted four acres at his ‘Gooramadda Run’ property, and was soon followed by a roll call of others who would go on to become icons of Australian wine in their own rights in the years that would follow. Indeed, so successful was viticulture here that within 30 short years, the name Rutherglen would be known around the globe, the region home to some of the largest estates in the world.
While its population would ebb over the proceeding century and a half, there’s no question that Rutherglen retains the mantle of the home of Australian fortified wine. Today it has comfortably established itself as a destination for food and wine lovers from Sydney and Melbourne seeking a taste of history - and to discover what a new generation of innovative winemakers are producing from these storied soils.
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RUTHERGLEN MUST-VISIT CELLAR DOORS
With around 20 wineries peppered around the town, it can be hard to know where to begin, but you really can’t go wrong with Morris of Rutherglen. Its cellar door, first constructed in 1972 (though the winery itself dates back to 1859), has recently been given a new lease on life, in part to better demonstrate its expansion into whisky. In 2016, Morris revived a dormant copper still onsite. After time tinkering with finishing whisky in their old fortified casks, the ‘experiment’ soon begat the creation of a premium single malt whisky. Here at their cellar door, the thirsty traveller can sample both the whisky expressions, and the historic fortified wines that influenced them. If visiting, do not miss a tasting of the Morris Old Premium Rare Topaque.
From here, a visit to similarly long-lived Chambers Rosewood Vineyards will also be a treat for lovers of fortified styles like Muscadelle and Tawny, though its Shiraz/Mondeuse blend and tasty Gouais are also must-tries. Today overseen by sixth-generation Stephen Chambers, Chambers Rosewood is a no-muss, no-fuss cellar door whose rustic charms best showcase their “honest wines with a sense of place”.
Another big name to visit is Rutherglen Estate. Now part of the De Bortoli empire, the cellar door was first built in 1886 and was once home to Seppelts Wines for over a hundred years. In addition to tastings of Rutherglen classics, visitors can also tour the Indigenous art gallery on-site, or grab a bite at Tuileries - try the slow cooked lamb shank roast pepper and farro ragu for a hearty pick-me-up.
Amongst the established names, of course, are a number of winemakers making waves doing their own thing. Since 2016, Andrew Buller - of the original Buller Wines family (also an essential stop for their 1928 Block Shiraz) - has been coaxing sensational Shiraz and Grenache from the gently sloping grounds. Its cellar door offers a truly boutique tasting experience, best enjoyed in winter by the open fire.
Other notables are Lake Moodemere (north-east Victoria’s first Sustainably Certified Vineyard), whose soils are remnant loams from the original ancient course of the Murray and whose Lakeside Restaurant has received critical acclaim; Olive Hills Estate, home to a lovingly restored winery and the Olive Hills mansion; Cofield; and Jones Winery, Vineyard and Restaurant (one of the oldest and smallest wineries in Rutherglen), with their Old Vine LJ Shiraz especially worth the stop.
We've collated a list of must-visit wineries in the Rutherglen wine region for your next weekend getaway. Plus, Wine Selectors Members, save on your trip - click the offers below to unlock Members Extras discounts!
RUTHERGLEN ESTATE
This historic winery building was originally built as cellars in 1886, and was the site of Seppelts Wines for over a hundred years. Today it is home to the De Bortoli Rutherglen Estate Cellar Door, Tuileries Restaurant and Boutique Accommodation, and has become an iconic landmark within the town. The facade of the building hides a plethora of other facilities including a wonderful art gallery featuring Indigenous art and artefacts, and can also accommodate those looking for a business retreat or conference.
Special Offer
Book two nights accommodation (Sunday- Thursday) and receive a complimentary bottle of wine on arrival plus a tasting in Cellar Door and 10% discount on wine purchases and restaurant.
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Valid until 31st May 2025.
LAKE MOODEMERE ESTATE
Lake Moodemere Estate is owned and operated by sixth-generation vignerons Michael and Belinda Chambers with their son, Joel. Each of their wines reflect the place it was grown and the people who made it, and are made exclusively with estate grown fruit that has been growing in the single vineyard since 1887. It became North East Victoria’s first Sustainably Certified vineyard in August 2021, and an Australian Top Vineyard from 2021 to 2024. The Lakeside Restaurant with waterfront dining on the deck, focuses on Estate and regional produce, while Harry’s on Moodemere and the Moodemere Lake House provide luxury waterfront accommodation located on the property.
Special Offer
Book two nights in the Moodemere Lake House and enjoy a complimentary Wine Experience in our heritage listed cellar door on the bank of Lake Moodemere, plus receive a 10% saving on your purchases and free freight on twelve or more bottles.
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Valid until 30th April 2025.
ANDREW BULLER WINES
Andrew Buller is a third-generation winemaker from the iconic Buller winemaking family that began making wine at “Calliope” in 1921. Andrew Buller Wines comprises two vineyards within the Rutherglen GI, growing nine varietals. Their cellar door is located within the Rutherglen Winery precinct at historic Cannobie Homestead. Visitors can enjoy an intimate tasting experience of handcrafted, small batch, single vineyard wines, ranging from three Methode Traditionnelle sparkling wines, to full-bodied red wines and fortifieds. Stay for a glass of wine in the peaceful tranquility of the homestead gardens, where family picnics - and the family dogs - are welcome.
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MORRIS OF RUTHERGLEN
With over 160 years and six generations of dedication to its name, the Morris family has earned global acclaim for their exquisite fortified wines, and, in 2016, they revived a dormant copper still onsite, breathing new life into their distillery. What began as an experiment in finishing whisky in the historic fortified casks, blossomed into the creation of a premium single malt whisky, boasting flavours as rich and unique as the region itself. The same iconic wine barrels that have called Rutherglen home for decades are now being used to create the extraordinary flavour in Morris Australian single malt whisky.
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CHAMBERS ROSEWOOD VINEYARD
Nestled in the heart of Rutherglen, you’ll find Chambers Rosewood Vineyard: a sixth-generational family owned and operated winery, established in 1858, still producing fruit from vines that date back as far as 1901. Internationally acclaimed for Muscat and Muscadelle (Topaque) aged in 100-plus-year-old casks, Chambers have a comprehensive range of wines to suit every palate, from sparkling through to fortifieds. Visitors to their rustic cellar door can enjoy seated “History in a Bottle” tastings daily, and grab a local cheese plate to enhance the experience. The winery is kid and dog friendly, and locally produced natural syrup tasting paddles are available for the non-drinkers.
Special Offer
Get 10% off the 2021 Chambers Roussanne on their website.
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Valid until 30th June 2024.
JONES WINERY
On Jones Road, Rutherglen, the Jones’ family traditions of grape growing, winemaking and cooking have been kept alive for six generations. Vines have been nurtured here since 1860, and the wines produced today are contemporary and age-worthy. Siblings Arthur and Mandy Jones, and Arthur’s son Ben, craft inspirational wine with a taste of terroir, and cultivate Rutherglen’s specialties of Durif, Shiraz and Muscat, as well as plantings of Fiano and Marsanne, among others. At the onsite restaurant, Briony Bradford’s cooking is modern French bistro with a menu that changes according to the season and her mood. Visitors are invited to taste at the heritage cellar door, dine, take a picnic in the grounds or browse the garden sculpture gallery. For a longer foray, stay in the Jones Tiny House, overlooking the vineyard.
Special Offers
Get 10% off when you buy any 6 bottles from Jones Winery J6-Six Generations range.
Book a Thursday One Night Stay Lunch/Super Package or a Two Night Mid-week Stay Lunch/Super Package and recieve a free Winery Tour & Premium Tasting.
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Valid until 31st July 2024.
BULLER WINES
A century back, Buller Wines emerged from humble origins, growing into a prominent Victorian winery. Rooted deeply in history, the 22-hectare Buller Wines Estate Vineyard, first cultivated by Reginald Buller in the early 1920s, still produces intensely concentrated, low-yielding fruit from those initial plantings, forming the essence of distinctive Buller Wines. Now owned by three local North East Victorian families, Buller Wines is forging new pathways with new varietals and diversifying into gin and whisky in Three Chain Road. You can now also stay at Buller Wines, in our private vineyard view cabins. Our cellar door is open 7 days a week and we welcome you to enjoy a cheese platter and a glass (or two) in the Prosecco Bar!
Special Offer
Get 15% off your stay at Buller Wines accommodation.
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Valid until 30th June 2024.
OLIVE HILLS ESTATE
Olive Hills Estate is a family-owned boutique winery situated on a beautiful historic property in the Rutherglen wine region. Set on 500 acres, the grand homestead and winery were built and developed by Scottish immigrant, Hugh Fraser in 1886. Now under the care of the Perry family, the estate has been lovingly restored and, as well as producing fine wine, is also a popular destination for wine tastings, lunch and weddings. The vineyard and winery is certified sustainable and all grapes are hand-picked, with minimal intervention wine making techniques used. Visitors can enjoy a wine tasting with the wine maker, or relax with a platter and wine under the century-old gums - a great way to spend a Rutherglen day!
Special Offer
Get 10% off 6 or more wines from Olive Hills Estate on their website or when ordering via email.
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Valid until 1st September 2024.
WHERE TO EAT, SHOP AND STAY IN RUTHERGLEN
Rutherglen itself offers abundant charms for history buffs, as one might expect of such a well-preserved town. Main Street is the quintessential country-town shopping experience, with antique stores and gift shops rubbing shoulders with places selling cool collectables. Our picks are Merchant Rutherglen - beautiful Art Deco jewellery and precious stones, artfully curated, and beautifully presented - and Hennessey Home and Garden, for its handmade homewares, plants and pots.
Those looking for a bite to eat won’t be disappointed either. The Victoria Hotel Rutherglen is something of a jewel of the main street, an iconic venue that’s been thoughtfully brought into new life by Kate and Matt Halpin. Its kitchen, overseen by head chef Brendan Anderson, offers everything from nostalgic pub classics to the more refined. Well appointed rooms also make it a great place to rest your head, especially if you’re staying a few days to visit the wineries or the wider High Country region.
Another top spot for tucker is Grace. Featuring a menu of creatively constructed seasonal dishes that showcase high quality produce from the surrounding regions, it’s an elegant little bar and eatery that’s the perfect spot to fill the tank and while away a couple of hours in the company of founders by Erica and Matt Miller.
THINGS TO DO IN RUTHERGLEN
Given its ascendance as a food and wine destination, Rutherglen has no shortage of boutique accommodation options available. Wineries such as Lake Moodemere, Buller Wines, De Bortoli and more are ideal for a stay amongst the vines, while The Victoria Hotel and Rutherglen Convent are also appealing options. Once you’ve done a tasting or two and had the chance to catch forty winks, why not sample the region’s other highlights?
Explore the Arts Rutherglen Sculpture Trail on foot or by bike, or hit the walking tracks of Carlyle Bushland Reserve. Get up close and personal with history at the Rutherglen Historical Society and the Common School Museum. Similarly, the Rutherglen Gold Battery puts you right in the centre of the region’s historic mining era. After, take a picnic up to the Rutherglen Giant Wine Bottle at sunset for the quintessential Rutherglen experience. If you’re visiting in October, don’t miss the Rutherglen Annual Agricultural Show, a great opportunity to sample the best of the region’s local produce - plus, it’s free. Or, if the season’s right, take time to smell the roses with Pepper’s Run Flower Picking.
Wherever you stop, whatever you choose, Rutherglen will reward your curiosity. Get out there and experience it for yourself - you won’t regret it!