About Vines & Plates

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Australia's wine country guide, editorial independence, always

Written by

Claire Hastings

Wine and food writer

Claire Hastings grew up in Melbourne's inner north and spent three years as wine buyer for a 120-seat restaurant before turning to writing. She has visited 40-plus Australian wineries across a dozen wine regions, from Margaret River to the Hunter Valley. She believes great wine writing should make you want to book a table, not just take notes.

Her approach is curious without being academic — she tastes with visitors in mind, not just peers. Every region page on Vines & Plates is based on direct visits, operator conversations, and comparisons across multiple vintages.

Our Editorial Standards

We don't accept payment for coverage. Operators don't appear on Vines & Plates because they offered affiliate terms; they appear because they've earned it through consistent quality and honest value.

When you book through our Viator links, we earn a commission. That's how the site stays running. But the recommendations are editorially independent — the order of operators within each guide is based on what we've verified, not what pays the most.

What We Cover

Nine Australian wine regions across South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, and New South Wales. Each destination page covers: getting there, what makes the region distinct, which wineries are worth the drive, and which Viator tours actually deliver on their promises.

We update pricing and operator availability against live data. If an operator has changed their offerings or closed, we update the page. If a tour no longer represents good value, we say so.

Get in Touch

Questions, corrections, or partnership enquiries? Reach us at:

We aim to respond within two business days.

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Written by Claire Hastings, wine and food writer. Melbourne-born, harvest-tested in the Barossa and Margaret River. Last reviewed May 2026.