Who cares if your afternoon tea is a cocktail, wine or beer? Whet the whistle on a local small batch gin, wrap your laughing gear around our favourite craft beer, and sip in style at a regional winery.
As far we’re concerned no holiday adventure to the Barrington Coast is complete without a good old fashioned tipple session with friends. You’ll even discover a few booze-free options at the following venues for the teetotalling travellers too.
The Coastal Brewing Company
Welcome to the Barrington Coast’s only micro-brewery plus it’s family owned and operated for extra appeal. In the heart of Forster, The Coastal Brewing Company produces craft beer for distribution amongst on-trend bottle shops, restaurants, pubs and clubs. But they’re always open to the public so you’re in luck! Book in for a brewery tour or head direct to their tasting room to sample a few crisp cold ales. Owners Dave and Helen are super welcoming and happy to share their brewing knowledge with you, so you’re guaranteed to be impressed. All the beers here are named after localities in the Barrington Coast so here’s your chance to drink ‘around the region’ without leaving the comfort of your bar stool.
The Farmers Wife Distillery
Ok, now here’s a team that understands the importance and art of traditional gin making infused with native Australian flavours. Being a small batch producer means that their award-winning boutique gins can sell out quickly. Hence visitors have the opportunity to join the Farmer’s Wife community – essentially a subscription based membership where you can opt in for an exclusive Farmers Wife Distillery gin club membership. Sign me up!
This is the ultimate destination for anyone who likes gin and this is locally made, right here in the Barrington Coast! Their new distillery door, tasting room, cafe and bar at Allworth offers a stunning space to enjoy their multi award-winning gin, recently named Australia's best! Who’s ready for some summer spritz, cheese boards or even some gourmet pizza? Bookings are strongly recommended: for girls weekends, boys weekends, birthday lunches, couples time or just a special treat.
Wharf Street Distillery
Wharf Street is a two-level distillery, restaurant & bar located on the pristine shores of Wallis Lake, Forster. It's a place you can come and meet friends, drink our signature gin, relax over a long brunch or hang out at the bar until dinner rolls around.
This newcomer to the Forster scene is snatching awards everywhere....
Huge congratulations to Wharf Street Distillery for their success at the 2023 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards in Melbourne. The Foster distillery collected five medals from five entries!
- Oyster Shell Gin - Gold
- Citrus Gin - Silver
- Pigface Gin - Silver
- Navy Gin - Bronze
- Barrel Aged - Bronze
With 975 entries, this is Australia's largest and most prestigious distilled spirits award. To be recognised at this level is an exceptional achievement... congratulations to Tim Cooke, Jesse Roche and the team at Wharf Street Distillery! 🏆
Great Lakes Paddocks
Looking for a peaceful, semi hidden place to relax not too far from our coastline? Great, because at Great Lakes Paddocks, you’re in the right space. First things first, order a cheese platter paired with their delightful selection of wines and then unwind in style. Great Lakes Paddocks at Wootton is essentially an operational cattle farm and vineyard in one. Famed for its pasture raised Angus Beef and delicate yet bold wines, this destination is a sure fire way to impress your family and friends. They also host regular events with live music so you can settle back into a deliciously relaxing country picnic with style.
Old Inn Road Winery
The grape growers here sure know their stuff, producing beautifully crisp, clean and vibrant wines near Bulahdelah. Try the multi-award winning verdelho or sparkling frizzante. Plus add a little holiday knowledge to your wine expertise with a tasting of their sparkling espu’delho (hint: it’s a prosecco-style sparkling verdelho “well-balanced with a fragrant nose”.) Sure, I’ll try that.
Gap Hill Winery
Located in the pretty village of Stroud Road, Gap Hill Wines specialises in quality verdelho wine that’s dry, fresh, fruity, flavoursome and popular. Cellar door tastings by appointment or you’ll find their wine at selected local eateries too. It goes with almost everything, delish!
Faulls Ridge Winery
You’ll love the friendly owners who offer intimate wine tastings in their garden overlooking the vines in the rolling hills just east of Gloucester. Their verdelho, rosé and shiraz-chambourcin comes highly recommended by the locals, many of whom volunteer to pick grapes at each vintage. Sit back and soak up the magnificent view as you enjoy a fine wine experience.
Gloucester River Winery
Nestled into the southern rise of the Buccan Buccans, the Gloucester River Winery enjoys the most scenic setting of any winery in the Gloucester valley. You’ll love the intimate views of this stunning rocky outcrop also known as the Bucketts Mountains. Owner and winemaker John is passionate about his preservative-free wines, do try his chardonnay, his rose and more! John and Kate are excellent hosts with many stories to tell, and after your wine purchases you can set up a picnic on the banks of the Gloucester River and contemplate life in the country. Tempted?
Mograni Creek Estate
This winery near Gloucester is purpose-built and is movie-star worthy! Mograni Creek Estate is set on 100 hectares with beautiful park-like grounds and sweeping views across the valley. Their charming cellar door building is based on an English barn in Windsor and was faithfully reproduced down to the English Bond brickwork.
Steve and Ros are the friendly owner/growers. Call ahead to taste their traditionally made wines from grapes grown and hand-picked right here on the estate. Wine tastings for individuals or groups are available by appointment and cheese platters can be provided by prior arrangement.
And if you want to stay overnight then the cottage is a delightful dream to complete your winetasting.
And finally, if you can’t make it out into our green and beautiful hinterland for cellar door tastings, then look for these quality wines at your nearest farmers market or liquor outlet within the Barrington Coast.
