Dalwhinnie sits in a natural amphitheatre in Moonambel and the first thing you notice is the view—rolling vines, wide skies, and that golden Pyrenees glow. It’s the kind of place where you unconsciously slow your breathing and start planning which friends you’ll bring next time. Family friendly, relaxed and unpretentious: exactly my speed for a weekend wine wander. My labrador Tommy would have loved snoozing in the sun here. Yeah, we should have brought Tommy along with us.
The wine-tasting is always a fun experience. Shiraz is the headline act—think dark fruit, a waft of pepper and a confident, fine tannin line—while Chardonnay plays that elegant support set with stone fruit and citrus zest. Cabernet rounds out the trio with structure and just enough leafy lift.
Shiraz here is top notch and very smooth. I have to admit the smoothness is what makes it unique but for me I kinda missed that Shiraz boldness and spice. But then again, who am I to judge and Dalwhinnie is too highly regarded by wine critics.
If your happy place is cool-climate flavour with poise rather than bombast, Dalwhinnie is a GOAT-level stop.
I love a cellar door that explains the “why” behind the wine, and staff here do just that—pinpointing differences between blocks and vintages without a hint of jargon. It’s like hearing your favourite Britpop album remastered: the details pop, but the vibe stays pure. Yeah, I love my Blur, Pulp, Suede, Elastica and Oasis. If you’re building a home dinner lineup, start with Shiraz and Chardonnay; they’re awesome food partners and great value at their quality. Then you're ready to get the party started - Pink! anyone>
Speaking of food, while Dalwhinnie focuses squarely on wine (hooray for specialists), Moonambel and nearby Avoca have easy options for grazing platters, pizza and cafés. We often plan a picnic in the Pyrenees State Forest post-tasting—kids can stretch their legs while I stash a couple of bottles for later. Balance, right? Lucky for us on this day Dalwhinnie were offering up charcoal wood-fired pizza. Yeah, we are the lucky one's.
Cellaring? The Shiraz has the muscle and granitic spine to cruise for years, but it’s delicious young with a decant. Chardonnay is dialled into freshness and texture, and Cabernet will reward patience. If you’re new to the region, pick a mixed six and let time do its thing—future-you will be very pleased.
Time your visit right and you might get some live music too! We visited during Ballarat Foto International Biennale so were treated to a bit of photography and live music. Woo hoo!
Service is a standout: warm, unhurried and genuinely curious about what you like. We ended up swapping weekend tips and favourite albums (hello, Blur and CHVRCHES) while comparing notes on the last vintage. That’s the magic of regional cellar doors—you leave with stories as well as bottles.
Practical tip: book ahead on long weekends and during Pyrenees events. The drive is a breeze, the roads are scenic, and reception can be spotty in places, so download directions before you set off. Keep an esky in the boot in warmer months—protect those precious purchases on the way home.
Verdict
Dalwhinnie Wines is a full-bodied Pyrenees classic with modern polish—an easy recommendation for anyone chasing cool-climate Shiraz greatness, lifted Chardonnay and a cellar door that feels like a mini-escape. We’ll be back (Tommy, too).
Getting there and bases
Dalwhinnie Wines is located at 448 Taltarni Road, Moonambel VIC 3478.
- Drive times (approx.): Melbourne → Moonambel ~2 hr 10–15 min (non-stop); Avoca → Moonambel ~13–15 min (19 km). :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
- Good bases: Avoca or Moonambel—both close to multiple cellar doors and country cafés. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
- Visitor Centres: Avoca Visitor Information Centre, 122 High Street, Avoca—maps and touring tips for the Pyrenees. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Nearby Wineries and Tourist Destination
While you are here why not visit these other great locations:
- Top Things to do in Ballarat: A summary of all the great things to do when visiting Ballarat. More info here.
- Pyrenees weekend away: Our guide to the "hidden" Pyrenees. More info here.
- 321 Cafe Learmonth: 321 High Street, Learmonth VIC 3352 – country charm, beautiful and local beers! More info here.
- Taltarni Vineyards: historic estate with a wide range of still and sparkling wines. 339 Taltarni Rd, Moonambel VIC 3478. More info here.
- Eastern Peake Cellar Door: Cellar door at 67 Pickfords Road, Coghills Creek VIC 3364. For pinot noir and chardonnay lovers. More info here.
- Summerfield Winery: wood-fired pizzas and award-winning reds. 5967 Stawell–Avoca Rd, Moonambel VIC 3478.
- Sally’s Paddock (Redbank Winery): Pyrenees pioneer famed for characterful reds. 1926 Sunraysia Hwy, Redbank VIC 3477.
- Blue Pyrenees Estate: classic sparkling and cabernet in a scenic setting. Vinoca Rd, Avoca VIC 3467. More info here.
- Bigibila Wines: hand-crafted premium, full-bodied, fruit-driven red wines including Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot with a scenic setting, lovely balcony and heaps of flowers. 85 Polleters Road, Moonambel 3478.
- Mount Avoca: certified-organic winery with accommodation. Moates Lane via Vinoca Rd, Avoca VIC 3467.
- Dogrock Winery: small, sustainable producer; tastings by appointment. 114 Degraves Rd, Crowlands VIC 3377.
- St Ignatius Vineyard: boutique Lamplough cellar door with Argentine varieties. 5434 Sunraysia Hwy, Lamplough VIC 3352.
- Mrs Baker’s Still House: micro-distillery for gin & liqueurs. 606 Elmhurst–Glenpatrick Rd, Elmhurst/Glenpatrick VIC.
- Pyrenees State Forest: short walks, lookouts and picnic spots in the ranges. Access via Avoca and Moonambel.
- Avoca Chinese Garden (Garden of Fire & Water): tranquil heritage garden. 24–30 Dundas St, Avoca VIC 3467.
Other Useful Reference Material
The following documents may be particularly helpful if you are considering doing your own wine trail or looking for holiday ideas.
Disclaimer: Use at your own discretion. The information may be out of date and is not maintained or owned by West Melbourne And Beyond.
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