Best Wineries in Cowra, New South Wales

Immerse yourself in the great outdoors in the picturesque wine region of Cowra, nestled on the banks of the Lachlan Valley in New South Wales. Rich in local produce and vineyards, the region was first planted with vines in 1973 and is now home to more than 40 vineyards, most of which are family owned and operated. Cowra is one of Australia’s best kept secrets, famed for its commitment to sustainable agriculture and its “wine heroes” Chardonnay and Shiraz.

Whether you’re looking for a historic cellar door, an indulgent gourmet dining experience, or an intimate wine tour, all visitors are well looked after here. So kick back, relax and enjoy some great wine and good old-fashioned country hospitality in Cowra.

Toms Waterhole

 Established in 1997, Toms Waterhole, an organically certified boutique winery, is all about “making handcrafted wines from handpicked fruit”. It’s a great spot to meet the winemaker and see all the action behind the scenes of the wine making process with an intimate wine tour. Feeling hungry? Feast on a gourmet ploughman’s lunch brimming with wood fired bread breads, local preserves and smoked meats at their alfresco café. If you’re feeling adventurous, they also organise balloon joy flights from the winery base.

What to drink? Toms Waterhole Methode Traditionale Sparkling

A 752 Longs Corner Road, Canowindra NSW 2804
T 02 6344 1819
W tomswaterhole.com.au

Rosnay Organic 

Rosnay Organic in Canowindra is an award-winning vineyard, specialising in certified organic wines. Owned by the Statham family since 1997, the vineyard and orchard is passionate about organic produce including wine, olives and figs. There is also accommodation on site, where guests can have a farmstay experience in a beautifully restored 1910 farmhouse. Don’t leave home without a bottle of their Extra Virgin Olive Oil and their delicious fig syrup. You won’t regret it!

What to drink? Garage No. 1 Cabernet Sauvignon 2014.

A 510 Rivers Rd, Canowindra NSW 2804
T 1300 767 629
W rosnay.com.au

Kalari Wines

Nestled on the banks of the Lachlan River is Kalari Wines, a boutique family owned vineyard, complete with a cellar door and art gallery. Kalari Wines is famous for wine styles unique to the Cowra region, and includes Chardonnay, dry Verdelho, semi-sweet Verdelho, fortified Verdelho and Shiraz. Housed in their conservatory, the art gallery has a continual display of artworks from local artists. With a rustic, country charm, there’s no better place to kick back and relax with a glass of shiraz and take in the sweeping river views. The cellar door is open for both tastings and sales.

What to drink? 2013 Shiraz.

A 120 Carro Park Road, Cowra NSW 2794
T 02 6342 1465
W kalariwines.com.au

Windowrie Wines

Steeped in history, Windowrie Wines is the region’s first winery, known for its great range of traditional and non traditional varieties. Perched on a hillside, the winery is surrounded by vineyards where winemaking  begins within minutes of harvesting, taking as little as 15 minutes from harvest to crush. Their wines are certified organic with a focus they like to call “minimal intervention’. Visit their cellar door – ‘The Mill’, Cowra’s oldest building, an old flour mill built in 1861 for breakfast, lunch and, most importantly, a glass of wine or two.

What to drink? 2015 Family Reserve Pinot Noir

A Windowrie Road, Canowindra NSW 2804
T 02 6344 3264
W windowrie.com.au

Wallington Wines

Housed in a straw bale building, Wallington Wines produce both exceptional wine and olive oil from their very own olive grove. Organically certified and operated, the vines are grown with minimal irrigation which results in small intensely flavoured berries. There’s also a farm stay cottage on site, offering beautiful views over the vineyard and Lachlan Valley. Wallington Wines offer dinners for groups, wine tastings and winery tours are available. If you visit at vintage, you can also help pick grapes and get a first hand experience of wine making.

A 82 Lawrences Road, Canowindra NSW 2804
T  02 6344 7153
W wallingtonwines.com.au

What to drink? 2003 Wallington Wines Rockdell Shiraz Grenache Mourvedre

Wine can also be purchased at the Cowra Visitor Information Centre  and tasted at Taste Canowindra tastecanowindra.com.au/).