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.

Visit the tasting room of Barrington Coast's only craft brewery: The Coastal Brewing Co in Forster.

The Coastal Brewing Company, Forster

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.

Beer tasting flight at Coastal Brewing Co in Forster.
Beer tasting flight at Coastal Brewing Co in Forster.

The Farmers Wife Distillery, Allworth

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.

Award-winning gin and delicious food at The Farmers Wife Distillery at Allworth.
Award-winning gin and delicious food at The Farmers Wife Distillery at Allworth.

Wharf Street Distillery, Forster

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 Forster 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! 🏆

Forster's Wharf Street: stylish, delicious and award-winning!
Forster's Wharf Street: stylish, delicious and award-winning!
Forster's Wharf Street Distillery winning 5 awards from 5 entries at the 2023 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards.
Forster's Wharf Street Distillery winning 5 awards from 5 entries at the 2023 Australian Distilled Spirits Awards.

Great Lakes Paddocks, Wootton

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.

Great Lakes Paddocks Winery at Wootton.
Great Lakes Paddocks Winery at Wootton.

Old Inn Road Winery, Bulahdelah

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.

Old Inn Road Winery at Bulahdelah.
Old Inn Road Winery at Bulahdelah.

Gap Hill Winery, Stroud Road

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!

Do try Brian's verdelho from Gap Hill Wines at Gloucester Farmers Market.
Do try Brian's verdelho from Gap Hill Wines at Gloucester Farmers Market.

Faulls Ridge Winery, Gloucester

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.

Faulls Ridge winery

Gloucester River Winery, Gloucester

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?

Gloucester River Winery at the foot of the iconic Buccan Buccans in Gloucester.
Gloucester River Winery at the foot of the iconic Buccan Buccans in Gloucester.

Mograni Creek Estate Winery, Gloucester

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.

Mograni Creek Estate winery near Gloucester.
Mograni Creek Estate winery near Gloucester.

Jacaranda Estate Vineyard, Wingham

This vineyard and cellar door has a pretty Manning Valley location in Wingham. The new owners Peter and Judy are enthusiastic new vignerons and are excited to share their beautiful artisan wines with visitors. Cellar door tastings are best pre-booked and tastings are $5 each. Te selections: rose, chardonnay, pinot noir, sparkling Gracie (from chardonnay/pinot noir) and amarone (an Italian style red prucuced in only two vineyards in Australia). Bring a rug and a picnic to accompany your tastings.

Jacaranda Estate Vineyard at Wingham.
Jacaranda Estate Vineyard at Wingham.

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.

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