Behind the scenes of winemaking
Tobin Wines
For many visitors to the Granite Belt, a visit to the region’s cellar doors is one of the highlights of their stay. But for true wine lovers — those who swirl, sniff, and savour every glass — there’s an even richer story waiting to be discovered: the story behind the bottle.
At Granite Gardens Cottages & Lake Retreat, we can help arrange behind-the-scenes winery experiences that give you a genuine taste of the craft, passion and patience that make this region’s wines so special.
Step inside the winery
The Granite Belt is home to more than 50 boutique wineries, each with its own personality, philosophy, and style. A personalised tour offers the rare opportunity to step beyond the cellar door and into the working heart of a winery.
You’ll walk through the vines, meet the winemakers, and see how soil, sun and science come together to create the distinctive cool-climate wines that the Granite Belt is known for. Learn about pruning, harvest timing, fermentation, and barrel ageing — and hear the stories that never make it onto a label.
Taste wine where it’s made
There’s something special about tasting wine in the place it was born. In many of our partner wineries, you can sample directly from the barrel, compare vintages side by side, and gain insight into how subtle differences in process and climate shape the final flavour.
It’s an intimate, hands-on experience designed for people who want to connect deeply with the winemaking journey — not just enjoy the end result.
Experiences tailored to your interests
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just curious about what goes on behind the scenes, we can connect you with experienced local winemakers who love sharing their craft.
These experiences can be tailored to suit your interests — from short guided tastings to half-day tours and private vineyard walks. Simply let us know when booking your stay, and we’ll help coordinate something truly memorable.
Where passion meets place
The Granite Belt’s winemakers are storytellers, scientists, and artists all at once — and meeting them brings a new appreciation for every drop you taste.
So if someone in your party is a wine enthusiast (or perhaps just wants an excuse to spend more time among the vines), let us take you behind the scenes. You’ll return with more than a bottle — you’ll return with a story to share.
