The Yass Valley sits at the heart of the Canberra District wine region, one of Australia’s best-regarded cool-climate wine areas, and most of its cellar doors are clustered around the village of Murrumbateman. If you are staying with us in Binalong, a winery day makes an easy, relaxed outing: around 40 minutes’ drive to the first cellar door, a few tastings and a long lunch, then back to the village in time for dinner. This guide covers the cellar doors worth knowing, how to plan the day, and how to finish it with a bottle and one of our signature steaks.
Getting There from Binalong
Murrumbateman is about 41 minutes (61 km) from Motel Royal Tara. The usual route takes the Burley Griffin Way to the Hume Highway, then the Barton Highway south past Yass. Yass itself is 25 minutes from Binalong, so you can easily add a coffee stop or a wander along Comur Street on the way through.
Cellar Doors around Murrumbateman
Clonakilla
The best-known name in the district, Clonakilla on Crisps Lane is famous for its shiraz viognier, a wine that helped put Canberra District shiraz on the map. The cellar door sits among the vines, with an outdoor area for sunny days.
Helm Wines
Established in 1973, Helm is one of the region’s pioneers and is especially known for riesling and cabernet sauvignon. Tastings are held in a heritage-listed schoolhouse dating from 1888, which makes it one of the most characterful stops of the day.
Four Winds Vineyard
On Patemans Lane, Four Winds pairs award-winning wines with wood-fired pizza and deli platters, served on a deck overlooking the vineyard. It is a good choice for lunch if you would rather keep things casual.
Shaw Wines
Shaw offers seated tastings in a purpose-built cellar door, with a fireplace for cooler months and a balcony over the vines in summer. It suits a slower, more comfortable tasting.
Eden Road Wines
Right on the Barton Highway, Eden Road is a certified organic producer with a polished cellar door experience, and dogs are welcome, which is handy if you are travelling with a pet.
Closer to Yass: Yarrh Wines
On the Yass River side of the valley, Yarrh is a small estate with a focus on sustainable winemaking and wide views over the Yass River Valley. It is a good option if you want a shorter drive or a quieter tasting away from the main Murrumbateman cluster.
Planning Your Winery Day
- Check opening days first. Many cellar doors in the region open only on certain days, often Thursday to Sunday or weekends, and hours change with the season. Check each winery’s website before you set out.
- Pick three or four stops. The cellar doors are close together, but tastings take time. Three or four is plenty for a relaxed day.
- Book lunch. Winery restaurants and platters can fill up on weekends.
- Sort out a driver. Agree on a designated driver, use the spittoon, or book a local winery tour so everyone can enjoy the day.
- Bring an esky. Summer days in the Yass Valley get hot, and wine does not like a warm car boot.
Finish the Day with a Signature Steak
One of the nicest things about basing yourself in Binalong is the end of the day. Our restaurant at Motel Royal Tara is fully licensed and BYO, so you can order from our drinks list or bring along a bottle you picked up at a cellar door that afternoon. We are famous for our signature steaks, and a Canberra District shiraz alongside one is hard to beat. The menu also includes burgers, pizza and Indian curries and biryanis. Dinner is served every night except Wednesday, so plan your winery day around that. See the restaurant menu or read more about our signature steaks.
Make It a Weekend
A winery day fits neatly into a longer stay. Spend a second day exploring Binalong itself, the Banjo Paterson connections and the 18-hole sand green golf course, or head west to the Hilltops towns of Harden and Boorowa. Our guide to things to do in Binalong and the Yass Valley has more ideas. Motel Royal Tara has 20 ground-floor rooms with parking at your door and a kitchenette in every room, and buffet breakfast is available by pre-booking. Compare room types on our accommodation page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far are the Murrumbateman wineries from Binalong?
Murrumbateman is about 41 minutes (61 km) from Motel Royal Tara in Binalong, via the Hume and Barton highways.
What wine is the Canberra District known for?
The cool climate suits shiraz, including the region’s well-known shiraz viognier, as well as riesling.
Can I bring my own wine to dinner at Motel Royal Tara?
Yes. Our restaurant is fully licensed and also BYO, so you can bring a bottle from your winery day or order from our drinks list.
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