Wine country starts before 10 a.m.

This Southern Highlands day escape turns a long-distance wine trip into a tight, well-paced loop just 90 minutes from Sydney. You get three cellar doors in one day, plus lunch and tastings, without having to plan driving routes or deal with timetables.

I like the roundtrip hotel pickup and the fact that the day is built around tastings at real wineries (not a quick stop-and-snap photo situation). I also like that you can go small-group or request a private vehicle depending on how your crew wants to roll.

One consideration: it’s a long day and it depends on weather, so if you’re the type who hates early starts or hates anything outdoors changing plans, go in with flexible expectations.

Key highlights worth planning around

• 90 minutes from Sydney makes this feel like a day trip, not an all-weekend production
• Three wine stops across the Southern Highlands, with a dedicated lunch break
• Lunch with wine at Eling Forest (and upgrade options to 2 or 3 courses)
• Hotel pickup and roundtrip transport keeps you tasting instead of chauffeuring
• Small-group or private tour options for different comfort levels
• Drivers like Roman, Jane, Guy, Russell, Joe, and Wally get mentioned for keeping the day smooth and easygoing

A 9-hour Southern Highlands game plan (and why it works)

At 9:00 a.m., your day starts with pickup and a comfortable ride out of Sydney. The goal is simple: get far enough into the Southern Highlands to feel like you’re in wine country, but not so far that you lose half the day to the road. With about 9 hours total, plus driving time, the schedule is paced so you can taste properly at each stop and still have time for lunch and an afternoon finale.

This kind of tour works best when you care about three things: time, convenience, and quality. Time is handled for you. Convenience is handled for you. And while each winery has its own personality, the overall flow is built around winery tastings plus food, so you’re not stuck hungry, or rushing between places.

One practical note: the experience requires good weather. That matters because tasting days can shift if the region’s conditions are rough.

Entering Tertini Wines for an easy start

Your morning begins with Tertini Wines. This is the first stop, which is exactly how I like to start a winery day. You’re fresh, you’re not yet hungry, and you can get your bearings on the style of the region.

Tertini’s appeal in this itinerary is tied to how the tasting experience is delivered. The tour info emphasizes their friendly approach and how they keep things informative. Translation: you should be able to ask questions without feeling like you’re interrupting a sales pitch.

What to expect here:

• A focused tasting session as your first sample of Southern Highlands wines
• An hour built in so you’re not rushed
• The vibe of a winery stop that sets the tone for the rest of the day

Potential drawback: because this is a popular early stop, the “morning energy” can feel like a lot if you’re the type who needs time to wake up. Plan on arriving ready to roll.

The middle stop: Centennial Vineyard or a similar Southern Highlands winery

After Tertini, the tour includes a second tasting that may be Centennial Vineyard or another comparable winery in the Southern Highlands region. That flexibility is useful if the operator swaps venues based on availability or timing, but it also means you don’t get a 100 percent lock on the name of the middle cellar door.

Why I think this is still a good approach:

• You still get a full tasting block at a winery in the same wine zone
• You avoid wasting the schedule if a specific venue is busy
• You get variety across the day instead of three tastings at places that feel too similar

For you, the takeaway is simple: if Centennial is the one you really want, confirm what’s included for your specific date once you have your final confirmation. The tour info clearly allows a substitute, so double-checking is smart.

Eling Forest Winery lunch with wine (and time to slow down)

Lunch is anchored at Eling Forest Winery, and this is one of the most important parts of the day. Wine tours can go two ways: lots of tastings with no real meal, or a meal that actually resets you. Here, lunch is included, with a glass of wine, and you can choose to upgrade to 2 or 3 courses if you want a more relaxed sit-down.

The other reason Eling Forest is a highlight is the setting. The tour description points to some of the prettiest views in the Southern Highlands, which makes lunch feel less like a pause and more like an experience on its own. Even if you’re not a scenery-obsessed person, views help you digest. And digestion matters—especially after tasting.

What you’ll likely appreciate at this stop:

• A longer block of time than the earlier tastings (about 1 hour 30 minutes)
• Food paired with wine, so you can taste with context
• Optional upgrades if you want more structure to the meal

How to use this part of the day well:

• If you’re doing multiple tastings, pace your wine choices here.
• Consider upgrading only if you want the meal to take up more of the timeline; otherwise stick with the included option and save your appetite for the afternoon.

Bendooley Estate Book Barn: a memorable cellar door finale

After lunch, you head to Bendooley Estate Book Barn for the third tasting. This is one of the most requested venues in the Southern Highlands, and that reputation tends to come with one major benefit: a polished tasting experience that feels special without being overly formal.

This stop is built to finish strong. With about one hour here, you get time to taste again after lunch, ask questions, and enjoy the setting without feeling like the day is already over.

Why this ending works:

• You return from lunch still awake, not sleepwalking toward the last stop
• You get a “final tasting” moment that doesn’t drag
• The itinerary is structured so you’re not trying to squeeze a big meal and a big tasting in the same time window

If you’re the type who likes to pick a favorite wine to take home, this is often where you’ll decide. By the end of the day, your palate usually feels clearer, and you have context from the earlier tastings.

Drivers and hosts: why the ride quality matters

A wine day lives and dies by the driver. You can’t control traffic, you can’t control how long cellar doors take, and you can’t control the mood of your group. What you can control is whether your transport feels smooth.

The most strongly praised part of this kind of Kenny Escapes experience is the people behind the wheel. Names like Roman, Guy, Jane, Russell, Joe, and Wally come up for being friendly, professional, and good at keeping things relaxed. That combo matters because it reduces friction. When the driver is confident and calm, the group follows that energy, and you spend the day enjoying wine and scenery instead of thinking about logistics.

Also, the tour offers a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle, which is a real quality-of-life detail when you’re traveling from Sydney to the Southern Highlands.

Price and value: what you’re actually paying for

The price is $271.84 per person, and the value comes from what’s included versus what you’d normally have to add yourself.

Here’s what’s covered based on the tour details:

• Roundtrip transportation from your hotel
• Wine tastings at three wineries
• Snacks (included)
• Lunch at Eling Forest with a glass of wine (plus upgrade options)
• No surprise fees are indicated in the tour highlights

To me, the best value in this setup is the pairing of tastings with food and transport. If you tried to DIY this route, you’d likely spend extra on:

• A full day of rides (or hiring a driver)
• Entry/tasting fees
• Lunch reservations and pacing that fits a tasting day

So even though the per-person price isn’t cheap, you’re buying back your time and reducing your decision fatigue. For groups, the tour also offers group discounts, which can make it feel more reasonable if you’re splitting costs with friends.

Small group vs private tour: choosing your day style

This experience can be done as a small group or you can request a private tour in your own vehicle. That choice matters more than people think.

Small group tends to be best if:

• You want a social day but not a huge party bus
• You’re flexible about the exact flow and timing
• You like meeting other people who are also wine-curious

Private tour is best if:

• You want a quieter vibe and a tighter plan
• Your group has specific needs
• You’d rather not share conversation or space with others

Either way, the important part is that the day is built around the wineries and meals, not on guesswork.

Practical tips to make the day feel effortless

These are the things I’d do to keep the day comfortable, based on how a full-day tasting itinerary usually plays out.

• Eat something before pickup. You’ll have lunch at Eling Forest, but breakfast can’t be skipped if you’re doing tastings from the start.
• Go easy on the first pour. Your first tasting sets your palate for the day. A slow start often makes the later wines taste better.
• Bring a light layer. You’re traveling and spending time indoors and outdoors. Weather is part of this experience, and the tour needs good conditions.
• Charge your phone for the mobile ticket. You’ll likely want your ticket ready to show.
• Pick your lunch upgrade based on how you feel. The included option already comes with wine; upgrades make sense if you want more of a sit-down meal.
• Have a driver-friendly mindset. If the schedule changes slightly, it’s usually to protect the overall experience. A relaxed attitude helps.

If you’re traveling as a hens group, family celebration, or friend crew, this is the kind of tour that people clearly enjoy for that occasion energy. Multiple driver names stand out for being patient and good humored, which is exactly what you want when you’re planning a fun day without stress.

Is this Southern Highlands wine tour right for you?

I’d book this if:

• You want a full-day wine tasting with a clear plan and included lunch
• You’d rather drink wine than drive
• You like the idea of starting with one winery, tasting through the morning, having a proper meal, then finishing with a strong third stop
• You value friendly, professional driving and a smooth day pace

I might skip it if:

• You hate early starts (9:00 a.m. pickup)
• You’re extremely sensitive to weather plan changes
• You prefer doing every stop at your own pace, like you’re building a personalized itinerary

Should you book this tour or plan it yourself?

If your main goal is to taste wine without the work, this is the kind of day that earns its spot. The combination of hotel pickup, three cellar-door tastings, snacks, and lunch with wine is a strong package.

Plan it yourself only if you’re confident about timing and you want full control over the exact wineries. Otherwise, you’ll spend energy on routing and reservations. Here, you’re paying for a turnkey day that’s designed to keep you tasting and eating, not managing logistics.

If you do book, I’d make one move right away: confirm whether Centennial Vineyard is the exact middle stop on your date, or whether a substitute winery is planned. That’s the one part of the day that isn’t fully fixed in the details you’re given.

FAQ

How long is the Southern Highlands day escape wine tasting tour?

It runs for about 9 hours (approx.), with a 9:00 a.m. start time.

Which wineries are included in the tour?

The tour includes tastings at Tertini Wines, Eling Forest Winery, and Bendooley Estate Book Barn. The middle stop may be Centennial Vineyard or another Southern Highlands winery.

Is hotel pickup and roundtrip transportation included?

Yes. The tour offers pickup and includes roundtrip transportation from your hotel.

Is lunch included, and does it come with wine?

Yes. Lunch at Eling Forest Winery includes a one-course meal with a glass of wine. Upgrades to 2 or 3 courses are available.

Can I book this tour as a small group or private experience?

You can do it as a small group, or you can request a private tour. Only your group participates.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance of the start time for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.

If you want, tell me your travel dates and group size, and I’ll help you decide which option (small group vs private) is likely to fit best.