Food and wine in Capital Country

Why go there

Covering a vast area south and west of Sydney, the region includes wineries, country markets, several distinguished restaurants and a spirited food and wine festival calendar. The region includes the Southern Highlands as well as the city of Goulburn, Yass, Braidwood, Bungendore and Young.

Wineries and cellar doors

Capital Country is home to 140 vineyards with more than 33 wineries and an industry characterised by small, family-operated businesses.

• Brindabella Hills Winery Chardonnay, shiraz, riesling, cabernets and sauvignon blanc rated among Australia’s finest. 
• Clonakilla Winery Handcrafted wines with shiraz and viognier as the standouts.
• Lark Hill Winery Biodynamic wines made by pioneers Dr Dave and Sue Carpenter.
• Lerida Estate Exceptional chardonnay, viognier and pinot noir from a Glenn Murcutt-designed winery. 
• Shaw Vineyard Estate One of Murrumbateman’s most celebrated wineries, with a premium café restaurant.

Where to dine

• Centennial Vineyards, Bowral Modern Australian food in an elegant, vineyard setting.
• Eschalot, Berrima A refined dining experience with Mediterranean-inspired food in an 1880s sandstone building
• Grazing, Gundaroo Former country pub with a seasonal menu that makes the most of the excellent local produce.
• Katers Restaurant, Sutton Forest Imaginative modern Australian food served in a lovely country dining room.
• Springer’s Rest, Young Historic building and a menu that brings innovation and imagination to the country classics.

Where to get fresh produce

• The Old Cheese Factory Reisdale Braidwood rural enterprise centre, an outlet for small local farmers as well as a cider press.
• Poachers Pantry via Hall Fabulous array of gourmet smoked meats, poultry and vegetables and tasty treats in the Smokehouse Café.
• Farmers’ markets are held regularly throughout the region. Bowral, Braidwood, Bundanoon, Goulburn, Mittagong and Yass are some of the best weekend markets.