Overview
King Valley Prosecco Road is a premium wine destination, located three-hour's drive north-east of Melbourne in Victoria's High Country. Being the Australian home of prosecco, the region is famed for its Italian varietals, and offers visitors a taste of its families' unique culture and setting through exceptional food and wine experiences.
Benalla
After driving up the Hume Highway, take a break in Benalla, around 2 hours and 20 minutes from Melbourne. Time your trip for the annual Wall to Wall Festival, to see in-progress works of large-scale murals, painted by Australian and international street artists on the town's buildings and walls. Benalla is home to a fantastic regional gallery, which has an outstanding collection of colonial and contemporary Australian art.
Milawa Gourmet Region
Continue on to Milawa, about 35 minutes away. Take some time to explore and stock up on the town's fantastic gourmet offerings. Gather picnic essentials at Milawa Cheese Company and Milawa Mustards. Drop into Gooramadda Olives for farm-pressed olive oil, olives, vinegars and dressing. Call ahead to make an appointment at Milawa Organic Beef, to pick up choice cuts at their farmgate.
Keen for an adventure? Swap the car for two wheels. Pedal to produce, stopping at the region's farm gates, food stores and cellar doors. Hire a bike in Milawa, or borrow one from Brown Brothers winery.
Prosecco Road
Spend the day visiting the many wineries dotted throughout the valley.
Kick things off at Jones Winery Restaurant, for a fabulous introduction to the flavours of this beautiful gourmet wine region.
Make a stop at Brown Brothers winery. If the weather's warm, book into a private Prosecco brunch experience. Enjoy freshly baked sweets and pastries in your private lounge, matched with Brown Brothers' own prosecco.
Head on to Dal Zotto Wines, pioneers of Australian prosecco. Hire an e-bike with the optional inclusion of a picnic hamper packed with local delights, and take a scenic cycle to the banks of the pristine King River.
Drop into Pizzini Wines' cellar door to try their range of Italian grape varieties. Book into a private 'Pop & Fizz' experience, where you'll learn how to match prosecco with different flavours. Or dive into a gnocchi-making class with Katrina Pizzini, followed by lunch with matched wines.
Finish your Prosecco Road sojourn in style at Christmont's stunning cellar door and restaurant – perched high on the hill, with sweeping views of the surrounding ranges. You'll find the flavours of Sicily on the menu, paired with the winery's excellent range of wines.
Continue your winery wanders with cellar door tasting stops at La Cantina, Gracebrook, Darling Estate and the King River Estate.
Wine aside
Hop into King River Brewing, for a glass of freshly brewed beer in their cosy taproom. Hurdle Creek Still produce artisan gins and spirits in their rustic stillhouse.
Stretch your legs at Power's Lookout. Enjoy expansive views of the King Valley and learn about Harry Power, the notorious local bushranger who used this spot as his hiding place.
Lake William Hovell is a 15-minute drive from Chrismont – take in the views and enjoy the peace and quiet. For something more spectacular, take the longer drive to the Paradise Falls rock formation.
Accommodation
Spend the night in Milawa at Church Lane Accommodation, or head to Myhree to check into Elevation652 at Mt Bellevue. Or book a bed in Whitfield, where Lusso KV and the Mountain View Hotel offer comfortable accommodation just a stone's throw from cellar doors.
Always be sure to enjoy Victoria's wine regions safely with a designated driver.
