Private wine tour Southern Highlands: boutique wineries, no group

Boutique wineries where the cellar masters know your guide by name

A private wine tour in the Southern Highlands for up to 4 people with a guide who has lived in Bowral for years and takes you to smaller producers instead of the crowded circuit. Peter arranges the route around your pace and appetite, mixing wineries with local lunch spots and scenic stops; half-day options are available on request.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private wine tour in Southern Highlands

• Visit boutique wineries
• Enjoy scenic region views
• Explore special cafes and picnic spots

The Experience

The tour runs 6 hours and moves at whatever speed suits the group. You're not following a bus schedule or a script — the guide builds the day around what you want to taste, where you want to eat, and how much time you spend at each stop. Because the group stays small (up to 4 people), the cellar masters at the boutique wineries can spend real time with you instead of pouring for a crowd. The "Highland Difference" the guide talks about is the region's unique terroir and the smaller producers who focus on it, not the volume operations most tour buses visit.

Pickup is included, and the guide handles the driving so you can taste without worrying about the road. The route weaves through the Southern Highlands' scenic region, stopping at wineries chosen for their character rather than their size. Between tastings, the guide knows cafes and picnic spots that aren't in the guidebooks — places where locals actually go. Lunch is your choice: sit down at a restaurant the guide recommends, or pack a picnic and eat it overlooking the vineyards. The flexibility is the whole point.

If a full 6-hour day is too much, half-day tours can be arranged. The guide speaks English and has lived in Bowral long enough to have relationships with the producers, which changes what a tasting feels like — you're not a transaction, you're someone the cellar master knows the guide brought in.

What’s included

• Private guide for the day.
• pickup from your accommodation.
• access to boutique wineries in the Southern Highlands where the guide has established relationships with the cellar masters.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Highland Vines

Is this one for you?Book this if you're traveling in a small group (up to 4 people) and want to taste at wineries where someone knows the producers — the personal connection is what makes the cellar master spend time with you instead of moving to the next group. The fixed small size and the guide's local roots are what unlock a day that feels like a friend showing you around, not a transaction.

Traveler reviews

4.99★★★★★★★★★★

72 verified traveler reviews

5 ★71

4 ★1

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What's the difference between this tour and the big group wine tours that stop at the same wineries?

This tour takes up to 4 people instead of a bus full of strangers, and it goes to boutique wineries where the cellar masters can spend time with you instead of pouring for a crowd. The guide builds the route around your pace and preferences rather than following a fixed schedule, so you control how long you spend at each stop and where you eat lunch.

Can I choose which wineries we visit, or is the itinerary set?

The guide recommends the wineries based on what you want to taste and your preferences, and the day is built around your interests. Because the group is small and the guide knows the producers personally, the stops can shift based on what appeals to you.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included, but the guide knows local cafes and restaurants and can recommend places or help you plan a picnic. You choose where and what you eat.

What does "the Highland Difference" mean?

It refers to the Southern Highlands' unique climate and soil that shape the wines produced there, and the smaller, independent producers who focus on expressing that terroir. The tour visits these boutique wineries rather than the larger commercial operations.

How does pickup work?

Pickup is included in the tour. The guide will collect you from your accommodation in the Southern Highlands area; confirm the exact location and time when you book.

Can I do a half-day tour instead of the full 6 hours?

Yes, half-day tours can be arranged on request. Contact the operator to discuss timing and which wineries or stops fit into the shorter window.