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Located in the Alpine Valleys of Bright, Victoria, Feathertop Winery is a boutique vineyard and cellar door that offers luxurious accommodation, spectacular views, and unforgettable experiences.
We thought we were going to have to give up winery tours when we had children, as well as other life pleasures such as late night parties, bar hopping, festivals and concerts, long hikes, hammock swings with a good book, sleep ins, and generally just 5 minutes time out…
But Feathertop Winery is a private winery estate that welcomes families and kids, so we jumped up and sang some alleluias, being extra careful not to spill our glass of Verdelho mid-boogie, and went to check it out.
Here’s what we discovered…
About Feathertop Winery in Bright, Victoria
Feathertop Winery is located in the Northeast Valleys region of Victoria, 10kms from the township of Bright (a 10-minute drive), in Porepunkah, which is approximately a 3 hour drive from Melbourne.
The vineyard was established in 1988, known then as Boynton’s Feathertop Winery, and was the first winery in the Alpine Valleys region. It was renamed to Feathertop Winery in 2005.
Feathertop is owned by Kel & Janelle Boynton. They happened to be having lunch when we were there as it was Janelle’s birthday, and they popped over for a chat. They’re a very friendly couple who are very passionate about their winery and all it offers.
They refer to themselves as “the winemaker that builds and the architect who drinks.”
Kel built the gorgeous sandstone feature walls around the property, which Janelle designed.
The vineyard was previously an old horse paddock and was overgrown with blackberries, proving how fertile the soil was and ideal for growing grapes.
The Alpine Valleys boasts a temperate climate – its scorching in the summer, and snow-capped in the winter, providing the perfect environmental conditions for the vineyard to grow a variety of different grapes.
The goal of Feathertop was not only to produce exceptional quality wine, but also be a place where people could relax and explore the open country air.
With views of Mount Buffalo, native forest, and rolling hills, it’s the perfect base for exploring the wonders of the Alpine Valley Region, such as Mountains Rail Trail, whilst sleeping in one of the most idyllic settings.
As of 2023, it’s also a popular wedding venue.
Things To Do At Feathertop Winery
1. Wine tasting
Wine tasting is of course the number one thing to do at Feathertop Winery.
Feathertop Winery is known for its Savagnin, Tempranillo and Vermentino wines, but they also produce traditional varieties like Chardonnay, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Petit Verdot, Shiraz, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, and Prosecco, as well as some fortified wines.
As well as sampling some of the delicious varieties, you can also learn about the process of wine making, learn about things like soil structure and the history of wine producing in the Alpine Valley wine region.
If you enjoy the wines, you can join the Summit Cru Wine Club and receive one bottle a week delivered to your door.
2. Bike the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail from Bright
You can make your entrance to Feathertop an experience in itself by bike riding the stunning Murray to Mountains Rail Trail from the heart of Bright.
This is a scenic bike path that stretches over 150km through farms and cellar doors, alongside rivers, and through native bushland.
The route from Bright to Porepunkah is only 6km each way, and is mostly flat all the way, so is very beginner friendly.
We didn’t feel Kalyra would cope with the cycle as she was a toddler at the time, but if your children are already experienced bike riders, this is a very kid-friendly trail.
It has a lot of playgrounds and cafes along the way, as well as a nice swimming spot on the Ovens River.
3. Take the kids to the playground and see the pigs
Feathertop has a playground for kids. Yep. God I love the High Country, they know how to cater for families.
Feathertop also has a lot of outdoor spaces for kids to run around in, including a large patch of grass the kids can play convict re-enactments on. Poor Savannah received quite the punishment from Red Coat Kalyra.
AND they even had baby pigs!!! I’m not sure how normal this is, but the girls loved saying hi and feeding this adorable black piglet.
There’s a pen out the back where Mamma, Pappa and a few ring-ins live. Be sure to stop and say hi.
You can also wander through the herb and veggie garden, which supplies the kitchen.
4. Enjoy alfresco dining at the restaurant
So that leads us to the food, which is utterly divine. I don’t eat a lot of meat, but I had the free-range duck breast and felt like I had died and gone to heaven.
The wine was also exceptionally good. I tried a glass of Vermentino (white) for the first time, one of Feathertop’s more popular variety and the Feathertop Pinots to match my duck.
The Alfresco Dining Restaurant is situated on the lower terrace at Feathertop and makes for a breathtaking a la carte experience.
There wasn’t a kids menu as such, but the girls loved their spag bol and barra, and of course, dessert was a hit!
If the restaurant is not your thing, Feathertop has a small deli, where you can put together your own simple picnic hamper and sit outside to eat with some wine.
We really needed those bikes to ride home on and work off the food.
5. Catch a sunset
Don’t miss an incredible sunset overlooking the vineyard. The epic pink colours illuminate the rows of grapes flanking the rolling hills, creating a dazzling site.
What’s more is that the winery has very little light pollution, so if you plan to stay the night, be sure to head out onto your balconies and look up at the dark night sky – it’s perfect for stargazing.
Staying at Feathertop Winery
Feathertop Winery is not just a daytime activity, you can also use it as your local accommodation when visiting Bright.
There are three types of accommodation options when staying at Feathertop; the Mount Buffalo View Apartment, Peggy Adelaide Suite and The Vineyard Residence.
The Mount Buffalo View Apartment is a self-contained apartment for six people, with plenty of space for guests to relax and spread out, as well as appreciate views overlooking the alpine peaks of Mt Buffalo.
The Peggy Adelaide Suite is for two people, perfect for a couple’s getaway. It features a spa bathroom with a luxurious king size bed with luxury linens, and a balcony boasting vineyard views. It has a small kitchenette with basic appliances like a microwave, sink, fridge and coffee machine.
The Vineyard Residence is kitted out for 10 guests and is a lavish luxury home with premium grade beds, luxurious amenities, and designed by owner Kel Boynton.
Final Thoughts
I could really live in Bright for some time, and it’s not just Feathertop Winery that made me fall in love with this region.
The beautiful vineyard was certainly a highlight, but the alpine views, the laid-back lifestyle, the focus on ethical farming and providing the best quality produce, are prevalent across this region.
It’s so nice to be able to find somewhere that values the same things as you, and what a wonderful experience to have with our kids.
Thanks to the Feathertop for making that a reality for many parents.
Read more: Want more inspiration for visiting Bright? Check out this guide on things to do in Bright, Victoria
More Victoria Travel Tips
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- Highlights of the Great Ocean Road Drive in Australia
- Beaches in Melbourne to Visit Once You’re Done with the City
- There’s Something About Marysville, Victoria
- Things to do in Melbourne with kids
Do you visit wineries with your kids? What do you think about visiting Feathertop Winery? Let us know in the comments.
