The South Coast’s distillers, brewers, and vignerons have upped their game and now offer tourists a range of experiences in the stunning Shoalhaven area on the South Coast of NSW.
With many Australians travelling interstate, the Shoalhaven has much to offer holiday makers. 100 Stunning beaches – bring your towels and sunscreen, and fantastic hiking opportunities both bush, mountains, and coast trails. Inspiring Art Galleries and Museums such as Bundanon and Jervis Bay Maritime Museum, as well as Theatres, Restaurants, Café’s and Bars – there is no lack of activities and exploration to be enjoyed.
Australia’s drinks industry is booming, and quality has never been higher. Vineyards, distilleries, cider farms, and breweries all have tourists firmly in their sights, and have thrown their gates open to showcase their produce and sell direct.
Here’s a taster of what’s here in the Shoalhaven waiting to be discovered. Tours can be booked online:
Jervis Bay Brewing Founded by four blokes who believe that enjoyment and community are important, this brewery is about as friendly and laid-back as a brewery gets. Located in the coastal town of Huskisson, there’s a very relaxed beer garden to enjoy a variety of beers along with 5 Little Pigs Food Truck, serving gourmet burgers and delicious bar snacks. Friendly staff, good vibes, and of course great beer. Bring the kids, bring the dog, or just bring yourself and breathe in the laid-back atmosphere.
Cupitt’s Estate Winery and Brewery Tucked behind Milton, and a short drive from Mollymook, this is a beloved winery, brewery, and restaurant. Chief winemaker creates cool climate wines with complexity and depth. Wine and food are natural companions, there is an emphasis on styles that complement the menu, focusing on light, fresh wines with texture and concentration of flavour. There’s a large range of varieties to choose from such as Veltliner, Roussanne, Voignier, Mebbiolo, Tempranillo, as well as the classics like Chardonnay, sauvignon, Cabernet, Pinot, Shiraz, and Merlot. Head Brewer pushes the boundaries of beer production while perfecting classic styles that celebrate finding balance in complexities. Visit and indulge in a wine flight, or grab a tour, or enjoy a meal while enjoying the view.
Mountain Ridge Wines Sustainability is the credo behind Mountain Ridge Wines, which has a cellar door, restaurant, market garden, and accommodation on its site at the base of cullunghutti Mountain, about 8km south of Berry.
Views over Berry, Coolangatta, and Cambewarra mountains form the backdrop to the winemaking. Wines are created from estate-grown grapes, but also with grapes sources from sister estates Stone Cottage, and from districts such as the Central Ranges and Hilltops. Sample the wines at the cellar door, and the restaurant is a must-visit run by chef Dan Gallo, creating Australian cuisine that will delight food lovers
Tara Distillery Tara Distillery is the home of the Shoalhaven’s own internationally award-winning, handcrafted gin, vodka, whiskey and liqueurs, proudly made in the heart of the South Coast. Book a behind the scenes tour sitting under beautiful copper pot stills, as the expert guide takes you on a rare journey from grain to glass, from juniper to gin. Experience an in-depth tasting, learning how each spirit celebrates local produce and fresh-foraged ingredients from around the Shoalhaven, in a relaxed rural setting. The Cambewarra ranges that overlook the distillery were notorious in the 1800s for their illicit stills and high-quality spirit, and Tara Distillery is proud to keep this local tradition alive. Their acclaimed Australian Poitín “The Exile”, an Irish-style white whiskey, is a tribute to this infamous history, and a must-try for all whiskey lovers. And for gin enthusiasts, Tara Pot Still Gin had the honour of being listed as one of the Top 10 Australian Gins of 2020 by international judge The Gin Queen and was awarded a Silver Medal at the London Spirits Competition 2021.
Silos Estate It’s not every winery that offers a helipad, but Silos Estate does, so flitting down to Berry to visit this sprawling estate is an easy flight for those in possession of a chopper. Silos is welcoming with fabulous wines, award-winning accommodation, captivating views , and is also a working alpaca farm, specialisitng in the Huacaya breed. The estate is fashioned from a circa-1870 dairy farm, and its 11 acres is planted with chardonnay, semillon, sauvignon blanc, shiraz, merlot, cabernet sauvignon and malbec grapes, all under the Silos Estate banner. The winery also established an offshoot, Wiley’s Creek, in 2007, creating gewürztraminer, riesling, muscat and pinot from grapes sourced from regions including the Yarra Valley, Tumbarumba and the Hunter.
Two Figs Winery Named after the pair of grand Moreton Bay fig trees that line the original driveway, Two Figs is the dream of husband and wife Shayne and Alison Bricker, who set up the boutique winery in 2003. Located about 12km south of Berry, Two Figs produces small-batch, hand-crafted wines that reflect the Brickers’ passion for not only great drops but sustainable practices. Fruits are sourced onsite, and from nearby wine-growing areas, including Hilltops. Its award-winning wines include the Cabernet Sauvignon, Rosé, Chardonnay, Verdelho and Pinot Grigio. Whether its an easy-drinking Sunday afternoon white blend or our premium barrel select reds, our winemaker, Simon, takes full advantage of our temperate, maritime climate, enabling our grapes to grow with superb natural acidity. With a beautifully renovated cellar door experience, the Two Figs Winery is excited about sharing their wines and stories with you in an intimate and seated wine tasting experience. Savour them all at the newly renovated cellar door, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Shoalhaven River. If you’ve got a pooch on board, grab a picnic table on the large swathe of grass and breathe in the views.
Dangerous Ales Brewery Get ready to experience the untamed and adventurous side of Damien Martin, also known as Dangerous Damo. As a South Coast local, developed a deep love for all things wild – from flavours to food and fermentation. With an impressive culinary background, including training in Gordon Ramsay’s kitchen in London and working at renowned establishments like Sydney’s Quay and Morzine in the French Alps. However, it was his time at Margaret River’s Vasse Felix winery that sparked his fascination with fermentation. Driven by his passion for both cooking and experimental brewing, Damien seized an opportunity in his hometown of Milton. With the help of his father-in-law, Andrew Bell, Damien lovingly restored an old pub and transformed it into the vibrant Milton Hotel – The House of Dangerous Ales with Dangerous Ales brewery located onsite.
Wombat Brewery Wombat Brewery is a family owned and operated Nano brewery located in the industrial area of Ulladulla, not far from the harbour, beaches, and cafes. Founded by Aaron McKay in 2022, he is a proud Wiradjuri man, who grew up in the Milton/Ulladulla local area. Wombat brewery offers a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere, kicking back with a few friends, you can sample Aaron’s signature crafted beers and grab a bite to eat – burgers, and the best chips in town. Great Supporter of local musicians too.
Cambewarra Estate Located in the beautiful area of Bangalee, at the foothills of Cambewarra Mountain, about 15 minutes from Nowra. The wines Cambewarra makes are rosé, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, verdelho, white and red port and a vintage chambourcin, all from estate-grown grapes. Enjoy them over a long lunch at the estate restaurant where chef Joshua Greenhill creates seasonally focused food that might include a torched mackerel with kipfler potatoes or a vegan salt-baked kumara. Try a wine flight with a paired cheese board overlooking the photogenic estate from the large, covered wine deck or alternatively their high teas are particularly enjoyable. Coolangatta Estate Family-owned and operated since 1946, Coolangatta Estate is the South Coast’s most awarded winery and offers a casual dining experience overlooking the winery. All the fruit is carefully grown, then handpicked at the Estate, before being vinified at Tyrrells in the Hunter Valley. The site consists of 25 acres of vineyard and 10 different grape varieties. There are wines catering to a wide range of tastes with the flagship wine being their world-class Semillons.
Flamin Galah Brewing Co Located within Huskisson’s industrial estate, not far from the world-famous white sands of Jervis Bay, this is a deceptively large set-up, with tables on a lawn, back beer garden and plenty of tables inside. The brewery has over 16 beers on tap and The Nest, an onsite food truck with perfect food that goes with beer like battered-flathead, tacos, sliders, wings, and more.