[Image: Hinterland vineyard rows with Blackall Range and Glass House Mountains at golden hour]
Cellar Door Guide — Updated 2026
Wineries of the Sunshine Coast
From the highest point in Montville to the rolling hills of the Noosa hinterland — the definitive guide to every cellar door, tasting room and vineyard worth visiting in Queensland's emerging wine region.
February 2026·12 min read
10+Cellar Doors
420mPeak Elevation
7+Grape Varieties
1998Vine Plantings
When people picture the Sunshine Coast, they see golden beaches and breezy cafes. But tucked just behind the coastline — up the winding roads of the Blackall Range and into the green valleys of the Noosa hinterland — lies one of Queensland's most compelling wine stories: a cluster of boutique vineyards producing everything from crisp Verdelho and perfumed Chambourcin to rich fortified ports and wildflower honey mead.
The Sunshine Coast wine region is not yet officially designated, but it has been quietly growing since the late 1990s. Vineyards are scattered across dramatically different microclimates — from the cooler, elevated slopes of Montville and Maleny (420 m above sea level) where morning mists roll through the vines, to the warmer subtropical valleys near Eumundi, Traveston and Doonan where Chambourcin and Merlot thrive in the rich volcanic soils. German immigrants first grew grapes in the Blackall Range in the nineteenth century, delivering wine to the Landsborough hotel by horseback. Today's vintners continue that tradition on the same rich red earth.
The region was declared a UNESCO Biosphere in June 2022, joining the existing Noosa and Great Sandy Biosphere Reserves — placing its vineyards within a globally recognised zone of biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. For visitors, this means cellar doors framed by subtropical rainforest, views across ancient volcanic peaks and an approach to winemaking that values provenance as much as flavour.
Below is the definitive guide to every winery and cellar door worth visiting. For guided tours with transport included, see our Sunshine Coast winery tours page.
[Image: Flame Hill — cellar door terrace, vineyard rows and hinterland panorama]
1
Flame Hill Vineyard
Montville · Blackall Range · 420 m elevation
The Sunshine Coast's flagship winery. Perched at the highest point in Montville, Flame Hill produces 100% estate-grown wines from three vineyards — the Montville property (planted 1998 with Verdelho, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz) and two cool-climate Granite Belt vineyards near Stanthorpe, with some plantings up to 80 years old. Early German settlers in nearby Witta (then known as "Old Teutoberg") grew grapes on the same rich volcanic soil.
The award-winning cellar door and restaurant sit on the crest of the hill. The kitchen uses estate-grown beef and herbs, and the terrace offers sweeping views across rolling hills to the ocean. Tasting flights are A$15 per person for five wines. Dessert wines and the annual Stomp grape harvest festival are particular highlights.
Verdelho, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz + Granite Belt cool-climate wines
Opening Hours
Open for tastings, lunch & events — check site for current days
Getting There
30 min from Maroochydore · 75 min from Brisbane CBD · Just outside Montville village
Don't Miss
Annual Stomp harvest festival · Dessert wines · Terrace lunch with hinterland views
[Image: Clouds Vineyard — the giant barrel-shaped tasting room in Maleny]
2
Clouds Vineyard — The Barrel
Maleny · Hinterland views · Wine, beer & cheese
You can't miss it: a multi-function space shaped like a giant wine barrel, set against the sweeping scenery of the Maleny hinterland. The Barrel at Clouds showcases the best wines from South East Queensland, with a rotating monthly focus highlighting different wineries — primarily from the Granite Belt and Stanthorpe regions.
Rich volcanic soils on-site allowed the planting of Chambourcin grapes in 1999, and the cellar door was built the following year. Today the tasting room features an extensive range from sweet to sparkling to full-bodied reds, complemented by local craft beer from Copperhead Brewery and Sunshine Coast Brewery. Cheese and meat platters, a bistro menu and generous grounds make this a natural pairing with nearby Maleny Cheese.
Chambourcin (estate), plus rotating Granite Belt & Stanthorpe wines
Wine Range
Sweet, dry, fruity, sparkling, full bodied, fortified & Reserve wines
Location
Maleny hinterland · 30 min from Caloundra · Near Maleny Cheese
Don't Miss
Cheeseboard + wine flight · Craft beer on tap · Scenic grounds
[Image: Dingo Creek — timber cellar door, vine rows, Mount Cooroora backdrop]
3
Dingo Creek Vineyard
Traveston · 26 acres · Noosa Hinterland
The first vineyard established in the former Gympie Shire and regularly described as one of the prettiest wineries on the Sunshine Coast. Nestled on 26 picturesque acres overlooking Mount Cooroora, Dingo Creek grows Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot, along with a luscious liqueur Muscat and the beloved Honey Mead. The cellar door is a charming timber building with a huge covered deck — relaxed, personal and a world away from the coast.
Bookable tastings include six premium wines and a souvenir glass. The signature grazing platters pair beautifully with the wines, and private picnics among the vines can be pre-arranged. Under new operators Doug and Michelle Tritton, the range has recently expanded from four to nine varieties, with the discount Club Dingo wine club launching.
Doonan · 10 min from Hastings Street · B&B property
A genuine hidden gem just 10 minutes from Noosa's Hastings Street. Owned by George and Sue Mullins (who came from Ireland in the early 1990s and never left), this 13-acre bed-and-breakfast property has 550 Chambourcin vines planted at the front. The first crop was harvested in 2003 and sent to the historic Robinson Family Wines at Ballandean — a winery with connections to the Saltrams family of the Barossa (established in the early 1800s). Noosa Valley acts as a satellite cellar door for Robinson's wines.
The property features comfortable rooms with en suites, a deep saltwater pool, golf driving range, pool table and BBQ area — perfectly positioned for day trips to the Eumundi Markets, Noosa beaches and hinterland trails. Mostly suited to adult getaways and small corporate events.
Cellar DoorBed & BreakfastEventsSaltwater Pool
Grape Varieties
Chambourcin (estate) + Robinson Family Wines range
Opening Hours
Wednesday to Saturday, 11 am – 5 pm
Getting There
Doonan · 10 min from Noosa · 10 min from Eumundi Markets
[Image: Ocean View Estate — glass restaurant, lake, vineyard and bush views]
5
Ocean View Estate
Mount Mee · 100 acres · Brisbane–Sunshine Coast halfway
A stunning hinterland escape set on 100 acres of vineyards and bushland, Ocean View Estate sits halfway between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast on the scenic Mount Mee Road. Founded in 1998 by Thomas and Kate Honnef (with Cal and Rosie Irons), the winery is now run by a father-daughter winemaking team — Thomas and Hannah Hathway. All wines are estate-grown and made on-site.
The glass-and-pole restaurant overlooks the lake and vineyard, offering an acclaimed a la carte menu by chef Tony Tierney that incorporates estate wines and local produce. Gourmet picnic hampers can be enjoyed on the lawns. Three vineyard cottages with spas and fireplaces allow overnight stays, and behind-the-scenes winery tours take you right to the vats. Fully accessible and pet-friendly.
Thu–Sat from 10 am · Sun from 8:30 am · Mon 10 am – 3 pm · Closed Tue/Wed
Getting There
2557 Mt Mee Rd, Ocean View · 50 min from Brisbane · Via Dayboro
Don't Miss
Lakeside long lunch · Picnic hampers · Vineyard cottages · Behind-the-scenes tour
More Cellar Doors Worth Visiting
Mason Wines — Montville
An easy stroll from the Montville village main street, Mason Wines operates a tasting cellar door alongside boutique shops and galleries. The winery's home base is in Ballandean on the Granite Belt, where they produce hand-crafted wines. The Montville outpost lets you sample their range without the longer drive south. Also accessible in Mount Tamborine.
Castle Glen — Montville
If your palate leans toward liqueurs, ports, schnapps and craft spirits, Castle Glen in Montville village is a treasure trove. Their vast range includes over 50 products — from berry ports and macadamia liqueurs to whisky and brandy. Tastings are generous, and there's no pressure to buy.
Woongooroo Estate — Mount Archer / Kilcoy
A family-owned vineyard producing award-winning reds, whites, sparkling wines and ports since 1997. Phil and Gail Pratten planted their first vines at Mount Archer in the Somerset region (between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane), alongside a small olive grove. The cellar door offers wine tastings and cheese matching. Worth combining with a scenic drive through the D'Aguilar Range.
Winya Wines — Kilcoy
Nestled in the Sandy Creek valley at Kilcoy, Winya is an easy hour's drive from both Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. Owners Gary (Snow) and Sue Pratten ventured into grape growing in 1997 to complement their beef cattle property. The cellar door is a relaxed, country-style stop.
Grape Varieties of the Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast's diverse microclimates — from cooler elevated ridges to warm subtropical valleys — support a surprisingly broad palette of grape varieties. Here's what grows where.
ChardonnayBlackall Range · Traveston · Cooler slopes
VerdelhoMontville · Warm-climate white · Tropical notes
A scenic half-day circuit from the coast through the heart of the hinterland wine region. Allow 4–5 hours with tastings. Remember: designated driver essential, or book a guided tour.
Depart Maroochydore via Nambour Road
Head inland toward Nambour, then follow the Blackall Range Road up the escarpment. 25 minutes.
Flame Hill Vineyard, Montville
Cellar door tasting and optional lunch on the terrace. Allow 1–1.5 hours.
Mason Wines & Castle Glen, Montville Village
Stroll the main street and browse two tasting rooms within walking distance. 30–45 minutes.
Maleny Cheese & Clouds Vineyard, Maleny
Cheese tasting then wine at The Barrel. 15-minute drive from Montville. Allow 1–1.5 hours combined.
Return via Landsborough or Glass House Mountains
Scenic descent through the hinterland. Optional stop at Brouhaha Brewery in Maleny for craft beer finish.
Events & Seasonal Highlights
Autumn (March–May) is the most exciting time for Sunshine Coast wine lovers. Harvest season brings a buzz to the vineyards, and Flame Hill's Stomp festival — where guests are invited to stomp grapes in barrels, accompanied by live music and estate food — is a calendar highlight that captures the best of the hinterland's personality.
Winter (June–August) brings clear skies, comfortable hinterland temperatures (typically 19–22 °C) and fewer crowds at the cellar doors. It's arguably the best season for leisurely wine tasting — cool enough to appreciate fuller reds by a fire, but bright enough for al fresco lunches. Many operators run seniors-friendly winter wine tours.
Spring and Summer bring lush green vineyards and longer daylight for late-afternoon tastings. Spring is also farmers market season, with Eumundi, Noosa and Caloundra markets pairing perfectly with a winery day.
Year-round, the Saturday Eumundi Markets (300+ stalls, 7 am – 2 pm) and Sunday Noosa Farmers Market (200+ stalls, 7 am – 12 pm) offer hinterland cheese, artisan bread, macadamia products, local honey and charcuterie that make excellent companions to bottles purchased on tour.
Companion Stops
No Sunshine Coast wine day is complete without the food producers that surround the vineyards. Maleny Cheese on the Blackall Range is the essential pairing — their tasting room offers locally made cheeses alongside yoghurts and deli products. Fudgyboombahs in Montville offers 70+ fudge flavours and handmade chocolate. Kenilworth Dairies produces artisan yoghurts and cream that supply much of the region's restaurant scene.
For craft spirits, Sunshine & Sons in Woombye (award-winning gin, vodka and sugarcane spirits) and Twenty 20 Distillery in Cooroy (the acclaimed GEORGE gin) make excellent additions to any wine route. And Brouhaha Brewery in Maleny is the perfect craft beer finish — wood-fired pizzas, hinterland-inspired pub food and award-winning beers. For the full beverage trail, see our winery tours guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best winery on the Sunshine Coast?
Flame Hill Vineyard in Montville is the region's flagship — 100% estate-grown wines, an award-winning restaurant and panoramic hinterland views from 420 m elevation. Clouds in Maleny is best for a curated tasting of South East Queensland wines, while Dingo Creek near Traveston offers the most intimate boutique experience.
Are Sunshine Coast wineries open every day?
Most cellar doors operate limited days. Dingo Creek is typically Friday to Sunday 11 am – 5 pm. Noosa Valley Winery opens Wednesday to Saturday 11 am – 5 pm. Ocean View Estate opens Thursday to Monday. Always confirm hours before visiting independently — particularly midweek.
Can I do a self-drive winery tour?
Yes. The hinterland roads are scenic and well-maintained, and the Blackall Range wine trail can be driven in a half-day circuit from the coast. However, a designated driver is essential. For a guided option with door-to-door transport so everyone can taste freely, Cooee Tours offers private and small-group winery tours.
Is there food at the wineries?
Several wineries offer on-site dining. Flame Hill has an acclaimed restaurant using farm-raised produce. Dingo Creek serves grazing platters and vineyard picnics. Clouds offers bistro meals and cheeseboards. Ocean View Estate has a full a la carte restaurant overlooking the lake. Maleny Cheese and local chocolate producers are popular companion stops.
What about Sunshine Coast craft beer and distilleries?
The Sunshine Coast has 24+ independent craft breweries — earning its reputation as Queensland's craft beer capital — plus a growing distillery scene. Many wine tours combine cellar doors with stops at Brouhaha Brewery, Sunshine & Sons distillery and local cheese producers. See our food and wine guide for the full list.
How do I get to the Sunshine Coast wineries?
Most hinterland wineries are 25–40 minutes from the coast by car. Flame Hill and Mason Wines are accessed via Montville (take the Blackall Range Road from Nambour). Dingo Creek is 40 minutes north-west of Noosa via Cooroy. Ocean View Estate is 50 minutes from Brisbane via Dayboro. Alternatively, book a guided tour with pickup from your Sunshine Coast accommodation.
Let Someone Else Drive
Cellar door tastings, artisan cheese, vineyard lunches and scenic hinterland drives — all with an expert guide and door-to-door transport.