48 hours in Milawa: Your Guide to Northeast VIC and the home of Brown Brothers Winery

A mere 3 hours northeast of Melbourne, a long weekend filled with epicurean adventure awaits.

It’s during this time of year that regional tourism thrives; when the leaves are tinted in shades of burnt umber and gold, and the country air welcomes the familiar chill of winters in June. Home to an impossibly scenic High Country, delicious local produce, and history so vast and rich you can explore it by land or sky, northeast Victoria has also long been synonymous with some of Australia’s most loved wineries.  

Milawa Gourmet Region

Situated in the heart of the Gourmet Region, Milawa is a quaint country town located southeast of Wangaratta, along the main road between Myrtleford and Glenrowan. Not only renowned for its artisanal produce, local farm gates, cafes, and craftsmen, Milawa has also been the spiritual home of our historic Brown Brothers winery since our great-grandfather, John Francis Brown, planted his first vines here in 1889. 

This June long weekend, swap the city for lush open spaces, cool country air, and a wine and food experience to remember. 

Where to Stay

Lancemore Milawa

Brimming with understated elegance, Lancemore Milawa is a charming country house conveniently located across the road from Brown Brothers Winery. The perfect base to experience a rich bounty of world-class food and wine, breathtaking landscapes, and peaceful tranquility – without needing to travel far.

What to Drink

If you look back at Brown Brothers’ rich history, one of our greatest achievements was the discovery of the ‘noble rot’ or, ‘botrytis-affected grapes’ by our grandfather John Charles Brown. Australia’s first Noble Riesling was subsequently born; a loved wine still loved and awarded to this day.

Sip on King Valley classics like Prosecco or Pinot Grigio, or try something new like a cool-climate Fiano, or juicy Tempranillo blend. Whichever your wine of choice, decades of discovery have gone into each bottle, with our historic Cellar Door housing wine to suit all tastes and occasions. Expect to be enthralled with over 60 varietals to try and buy, with guided tastings available from 11am – 4pm daily.

BOOK A TASTING

Where to Eat

Currently welcoming guests from Friday through to Monday, no long weekend is complete without a wine tasting in the Cellar Door, followed by lunch in the Brown Brothers Restaurant.

With an ethos of fresh produce and a move towards minimal waste and sustainability, Brown Brothers Restaurant is King Valley’s premier destination for good food and great wine, celebrating native Australian flavours with a seasonal menu designed around the organic ingredients grown in our on-site Kitchen Garden. Guided by the harvest, our current set menu is seasonal and changes regularly – guaranteeing something new and delicious to try each time you visit!

On the menu this June Long Weekend

• Fidelia Potato Hash with nduja and smoked cultured cream
• Baby octopus with borlotti beans, saffron potato and bay oil
• Roast pumpkin with macadamia, seeds and saltbush
• Lamb cutlet with smoked pepper sauce and puffed amaranth
• Beef cheek with sugarloaf, goat’s curd, horseradish and apple
• Jerusalem artichoke with black garlic and rosemary 
  …and more

BOOK A TABLE

You can discover more about our food philosophy by booking a Wine & Food Adventure, or get to know Bodee and see a glimpse of our Kitchen Garden below.  

Things to Do

Whether it’s a guided tasting with one of our wine experts, a tour of the Brown Family Cellar, a hot air balloon adventure, or an immersive dining experience, you’re sure to walk away feeling like a local.

Wine Blending 

Ever wondered how a wine blend is created? Our Wine Blending Experience is the perfect wintertime activity to treat yourself or that special wine lover in your life. Take a tour through 130+ years of Brown family history as you discover some of our classic varietals – like Shiraz, Cabernet, and Merlot – learning about each wine’s characteristics and sustainable vineyard practices. Blend, bottle, and label your unique creation for a special souvenir to take home. 

BOOK EXPERIENCE

Wine & Food Adventure 

This unique experience will have you immersed in our history and creating your own wine and food adventure to remember. 

Join the chefs in our kitchen garden where you’ll learn about and forage for produce, before taking a tour of the winery and tasting in Cellar Door. Your journey will conclude with a specially designed lunch in our Restaurant, using produce you helped pick that morning all paired perfectly with a selection of Brown Brothers wine.

BOOK EXPERIENCE

Prosecco Brunch 

Australia’s unofficial home of Prosecco, no trip to Victoria’s northeast is complete without a decadent Prosecco Brunch experience. Taste your way through our entire range of bubbles as you indulge in a gourmet spread of freshly baked sweets and pastries, local Milawa cheeses, terrines, and fresh seasonal fruits. Brunch runs from 9 – 11 am, leaving you plenty of time to continue your Prosecco road experience at neighbouring wineries, Pizzini and Dal Zotto. 

BOOK BRUNCH

Milawa Cheese

Cheese lovers, rejoice! Proudly family-owned and Milawa-made, the 101-year-old former butter factory is somewhat of an institution in our parts, transformed into a fully-fledged ‘cheese haven’ by David & Anne Brown in 1988. Today, the Milawa Cheese Company produces countless varieties of fromage inspired by European craft: a must-see (and taste) while you’re in the region!