How to spoil your visitors with a trip round the Eastern Canberra Wineries

Canberra is blessed with over 40 wineries within a stone’s throw of the city but some of the best are a well kept secret worth sharing.

If you head to Murrumbateman you’ll run into many of them, but not quite so obvious, are the ten or more Canberra Wineries that are on the Lake George side of Canberra.

Here are three of the best of the eastern Canberra Wineries with lovely hosts and hospitality. A visit is a sure Canberra treat for interstate friends and family, especially if combined with a country drive and lunch.

Contentious Character – Wamboin

It will soon be a first birthday for the team who have breathed a fresh energy into the former Lambert’s Winery. Tony, Ross, Ben and Jeremy host a warm welcome, generous cellar door, gorgeous valley view, hearty wood fire and stylish country setting.

Photos thanks to Contentious Character

Contentious Character Winery is a highlight of any Canberra wineries tour and a great first stop for a coffee or delicious looking weekend breakfast and lunch. I’ve already planned a trip back for brunch.

Collector Wines – Collector

Tina at the Cellar Door is another generous and thoughtful cellar door host, showcasing the beautiful Collector Wines in the gorgeous 188 year old building, just one minute’s drive off the Federal Highway in downtown Collector. Collector Wines have really got a beautiful look and feel about them. Definitely don’t miss out on this Canberra Winery.

If you’re ready for another coffee you can grab one next door at ‘Some Cafe’.

Lerida Estate Winery – off Hume Highway along Lake George

Last on the country drive heading back towards Canberra is Lerida Estate Winery where Paul is a master cellar door host, even under the great pressure of Lerida’s weekend popularity.

Lerida Estate Winery’s café offers a good weekend lunch menu for lunch as well as coffee, scones and cakes. Sit in with the barrels or choose a view over the vines.

Mediterranean Lamb Cutlets Spiced Rubbed Lamb Cutlets finished with a Balsamic Reduction with Chat Potatoes, Rocket, Dutch Carrots and Broccolini $34

Pan Seared Snapper Fillet – Pan Seared Fillet with a Butter – Pinot Grigio Wine Sauce, Lemon, sundried Tomatoes, Red Cabbbage & Slivered Almonds, Fresh Mint served with Mixed Leaves $28

Stuffed Chicken Breast Oven-roasted Chicken Breast wrapped in Prosciutto, Stuffed with Triple Cream Brie and Tomato, finished with Basil-Rocket Pesto, served with Chat Potatoes, Baby Spinach, Dutch Carrots and Asparagus $28

Eton Mess Pavlova Shell, Crushed Brownie, Fresh Cream, Mixed Berries and Coulis with Chocolate sauce and Fresh Mint $14.50

French Crepes (GF) – Crepes filled with Botrytis Pinot Gris Caramelised Banana, Blueberries and Double Thick Cream, finished with Coulis $14.50

Do watch out for the special offers on Living Social for Canberra Wineries. They come up often.

Lerida Estate just offered a two course lunch with wine deal and Contentious Character Winery currently offers great deal for Brunch 10am -12pm with coffee and wine through Living Social.

More Details

Contentious Character

Open: Saturdays and Sundays for tastings, brunch and lunch 10am-5pm

30km east of Canberra

810 Norton Road
Wamboin
NSW 2620
Australia
Call ahead on: 02 6238 3830
info@contentiouscharacter.com.au

Collector Wines

Open: 10am – 4pm Fri-Sun & most pulic holidays

7 Murray Street, Collector NSW 2581
Tel: 0415 991 078 Web: www.collectorwines.com.au
email: wine@collectorwines.com.au

Lerida Estate

Open: Daily 10 – 5pm

87 The Vineyards, Collector NSW 2581 Federal Highway, Lake George

(Turn off the Federal Highway at Gurney VC rest area, turn right into ‘The Vineyards’ and they are first winery on the left (about 800 metres from turnoff).

Café Bookings:

(02) 4848 0231

Many thanks to Contentious Character, Collector Wines and Lerida Estate for sending me those vital photos I missed while I was enjoying myself so much.