Australia’s best design wineries for clinking a glass, or two.

Frank Gehry’s Marques de Riscal

Designer wineries have been all the dazzle. In Spain’s Rioja region, Frank Gehry’s Marques de Riscal, and Zaha Hadid’s Rafael López de Heredia Tondonia Winery have set a new bar for beautiful vinous spaces. French wine makers heard the call, with the family JM Cazes adding some design touches to their Château Cordeillan-Bages in Haut-Medoc region of Bordeaux. 

And don’t forget champagne.

This October, Ruinart will complete a major transformation of their historic Maison in Reims. But first a little bit of background: Ruinart, the first-ever Champagne house (founded in 1729), has embarked on an innovative project spearheaded by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, landscape architect Christophe Gautrand, and interior decorator Gwenael Nicolas. They have envisioned a modern hospitality experience that beautifully complements the historic Maison. 

PHOTO: Gregoire Machavoine

I mean, I can’t wait.

And then, we recently spent a few days in Napa Valley at the newly redone Chandon in Napa Valley close to Yountville, and it made me think about how fabulous all these wine, champagne and sparkling wine locations are all over the planet - and this one was next level. If it’s right, it’s right.

So I figured we have to call out the Aussies this time around.

Australia has taken this design trend very seriously, and hiring their own set of cool architects and shiny designers to create absolutely iconic places for wine tasting, and a respite.  

A brand new kid on the block is Levantine Hill Estate’s new $30 million-plus multi-level winemaking and events facility in Victoria’s Yarra Valley. And oh boy is this a fun spot to get your wiiiiiiine on (Kath and Kim reference). The building has been personally designed by renowned Melbourne architect Karl Fender of Fender Katsalidis Architects and its soaring curved roof complements his existing design of the winery’s adjacent cellar door and restaurant. I mean, if you’re down under, this is where to start the journey.

Then there is Delatite winery in very very rural Taungurang Country right in the foothills of the Victorian Alps. It’s a fabulous sustainable design from Lucy Clemenger Architects. And think biodynamic farming and wine production practices - just what you’re after I imagine…

One of my favorite designer wineries in Australia is the Rubik Cube inspired d'Arenberg Cube. The unusual winery is in South Australia’s famed McLaren Vale wine region - and so we now have a five story multi-functional building set amongst Mourvèdre vines and overlooking the rolling hills of Willunga. And, lest we forget, that Michelin-starred chef Brendan Wessels is leading the culinary program there. 

Aussie architect Kerstin Thompson has also weighed in on a winery space, and thus created a subterranean cellar at Australia's Tarra Warra vineyard. The Cellar Door, a moody hideout for wine, is on a vineyard covering 400 acres of farmland in the Yarra Valley, roughly an hour east of Melbourne. Perfect for that day trip. 

And then there is Pt Leo Estate’s sculpture garden – with an ever-evolving selection of works - and restaurant as part of their winery. Right in Victoria province’s pristine Mornington Peninsula, the winery is nestled between the seaside villages of Merricks Beach and Shoreham on the Peninsula’s eastern side. Designed by Melbourne based architectural and interior design firm Jolson, the semi-circular cellar door and restaurant is set on the highest point of the property with unrivalled panoramic vistas across the 10-year-old vineyards right over the Western Port Bay.

I alos loved Vamp by Lisa Mcguigan Wines. A clear door in Pokolbin, with a dark color palette, some dramatic lighting and all that texture. I am obsessed with her, she has a wicked take on wine and you will become her disciple right away. They called this “modern medieval” - I just know my friend Sue is going to camp out here. Think chain mail wrapped tasting booths, a striking chiaroscuro board room, custom timber furniture and a high-end, stainless steel oyster bar.

Right in the same renowned wine area is where the luxury hotel and wine concept Jackalope which I loved. Also just an hour from Melbourne is where this beauty awaits clad in dark zinc with charred timber and black metal detailing. Invented by the Carr Design Group this moody project awaits the wine lover who wants to taste and also stay. Planted in 1989 the vineyard is known for it’s cool-climate chardonnay and pinot noir, by Head Winemaker Geraldine McFaul – so lingering longer is well rewarded. 

And then for the south of the country, the brief instructed the design agency Studio-Gram to create the most luxurious, high end winery ever. And so St Hugo, in the Barossa Valley which is north-east of Adelaide, was gifted this wood on wood magnificence. The cellar incorporates a large teardrop-shaped solid timber table and joinery and this is where you will find St Hugo’s private collection. Well worth knowing.