While food and wine have long been hailed as the perfect pair, art and wine are becoming an equally sought-after combination.
It's not surprising that a deep appreciation of wine and art often go hand-in-hand. Both require a discerning mind and an intuitive soul.
Here are four Australian destinations whose ultimate winery experiences combine some of the world's greatest wines with incredible works of art:
Moorilla at MONA, Tasmania
Moorilla shares its site with the innovative Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), home to Australia's largest private art collection. Kick off your experience by sailing from Hobart to MONA on the super-flash high-speed ferry. Take your time on a self-guided exploration of the subterranean galleries and then head to your one-course lunch of seasonal local produce, matched with a glass of wine from Moorilla's Muse or Praxis series.
Fed and watered, you'll then delve into Moorilla's backstory with your expert host and get acquainted with the finer points of old and new artisanal winemaking techniques. You'll be treated to a tasting of 10 Moorilla/Domaine A wines - elegant, fragrant and often experimental.
Montalto, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
Visit Montalto and you get much more than wine: the estate is famous for its relaxed Australian architecture, intimate cellar door, and the beauty of its sculpture trail, home to the Montalto Sculpture Prize, considered among the most valuable private sculpture prizes in the country.
A behind-the-scenes winery tour brings to life Montalto's winemaking philosophy, including wine tasting straight from the barrel alongside the winemaker and a long, leisurely lunch on the 30-hectare estate.
After lunch, take your time exploring the contemporary sculpture collection set against a backdrop of natural wetlands, produce gardens and thriving vineyards.
Leeuwin, Margaret River, Western Australia
The family-owned estate celebrates fine wine, food and its long association with the arts. A Leeuwin Immersion Experience provides insight into the history of the Margaret River region, the winemaking philosophy and commitment to the arts of this estate.
Take a guided stroll through the Leeuwin Art Gallery to view the collection of more than 100 contemporary Australian artworks that have featured on the winery's Art Series labels, while also learning about the Leeuwin Concert Series, featuring alfresco performances from the world's leading musicians and entertainers.
Pt Leo, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
Pt Leo Estate lies on the often unexplored Western Port of the Mornington Peninsula, with sweeping views of Phillip Island, the 20-hectare vineyard, paddocks of grazing cattle and an expansive 7.5 hectare sculpture park.
A wine tasting and vineyard tour is an art and wine immersion like no other. The bespoke wine tasting takes place while meandering through the incredible vineyard where you'll learn the secrets of grape-growing and savour local cheeses and fruits. Take an unhurried amble through the sculpture park, showcasing more than 70 world-class local and international works. It's a feast for the tastebuds, the mind and the soul.
Discover more at www.ultimatewineryexperiences.com.au
