High Country tours

High Country tours in Victoria are built around the wine and food of the north-east valleys, a region about a 3-hour drive from Melbourne. Guided tastings in the King Valley and Milawa are the main way to see it on a tour, and they sit inside a wider High Country holiday that also takes in Rutherglen, the alpine villages and the Murray River country.

Guided winery tours in the King Valley

The King Valley is the High Country's Italian corner. Pizzini Wines is a family-owned winery with Italian heritage, known for its Italian wine varietals, and the tours here are built around learning why those wines work with food. The Pizzini Winery Guided Wine Tasting Tour is a 2.5-hour tutored session through current and back vintage wines, covering how the site and the winemakers shape what ends up in the glass. It finishes with a glass of wine and an Italian-style grazing platter.

A shorter format also runs at Pizzini. A food and wine matching tasting at Pizzini is a 45-minute session that starts in the winery's original tobacco kiln, now a light-filled tasting space. It covers at least five wine samples paired with gourmet food, with an angle on Prosecco, and is run as a small group.

Brunch and tastings in Milawa

Milawa is where Brown Brothers, a winery with four generations of winemaking behind it, hosts its Prosecco Brunch. It is a 2-hour tasting through the Prosecco range in a private lounge, with tea and coffee on arrival, freshly baked pastries, local cheeses, terrines and seasonal fruit. Come hungry.

How to choose a High Country tour

Length is the first decision. High Country tastings run from a 45-minute food-and-wine match to a 2.5-hour tutored session, so they fit around a morning of driving or fill a good part of a day. Style is the second: a seated, guided tasting suits anyone who wants to learn about the wine, and a food-led session suits anyone more interested in what is on the plate.

Group size changes the feel, too. Smaller sessions are run for a handful of guests, while a private lounge can host a bigger table of friends. Most of these experiences are booked for a minimum of 2 guests.

Getting to High Country tours from Melbourne

Winery tours in the High Country meet at the winery, so you travel to the King Valley or Milawa yourself, and nobody collects you from Melbourne. It is about a 3-hour drive, so plan an overnight stay and decide who is driving before the tasting starts.

Beyond the cellar door, the region is known for sweeping scenery, gourmet trails and winter skiing, and the High Country food and drink experiences cover the food side in more depth.

Frequently asked questions

How long do High Country winery tours take?

High Country winery tours run from a 45-minute food and wine matching session to a 2.5-hour tutored tasting. The Pizzini Winery Guided Wine Tasting Tour in the King Valley is a 2.5-hour tour, and the Brown Brothers Prosecco Brunch in Milawa is a 2-hour session.

Do High Country tours include transport from Melbourne?

High Country winery tours such as the Pizzini tastings and the Brown Brothers Prosecco Brunch meet at the winery and do not include transport from Melbourne. The High Country is about a 3-hour drive from the city.

Is there a minimum number of guests for High Country wine tastings?

The Pizzini tastings and the Brown Brothers Prosecco Brunch need a minimum of 2 guests. The Pizzini food and wine tasting is a small group session, and the Prosecco Brunch is hosted in a private lounge for a larger group.

Can children join a High Country winery tour?

No. Alcohol is served on High Country winery tours such as the Pizzini tastings and the Brown Brothers Prosecco Brunch, so every guest must be over 18.

What if there is bad weather on a High Country winery tour?

The Brown Brothers Prosecco Brunch in Milawa still runs in unforeseen weather. For other experiences, check the product page for the operator's weather policy.

For the full picture of the area, head to the High Country region page, or book a winery tour in the King Valley or Milawa.