Bruny Island Premium Wines

Bruny Island Premium Wines is a family-run vineyard and cellar door in Lunawanna, on Bruny Island. The property is recognised as Australia’s southernmost vineyard and was the island’s first, with Bernice Dillon and her father planting the original vines in 1998. Bernice has made the wine on site since 2004, and the vineyard’s wines have received more than 40 medals in national and international wine shows, with the wider venue material citing more than 50 awards.

The vineyard sits on a gently sloping site with a sunny northerly aspect, producing cool-climate wines shaped by the island’s conditions. The range includes Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, alongside sparkling rosé and Pinot Noir rosé. Grapes are hand-picked, and the wines are made on site. The cellar door is also the only place to buy the wines directly, while Australian-wide postage is available through the venue’s wine order service. Cider is produced on site as well.

There is more to the visit than wine. The vineyard restaurant uses locally sourced produce and is led by a father-and-son team of classically trained chefs with international experience. Its offering changes with the seasons, and the website lists full-menu lunches and dinners, as well as platters, small plates and oysters at selected times. Bookings are recommended, particularly for dining. The cellar door is listed as open seven days from 11am, while restaurant services vary by season and day, so checking the current schedule before travelling is sensible.

The venue’s family history runs through the business. Bernice is a direct descendant of one of Bruny Island’s early settlers, her mother Ruth Dillon painted the artwork used on the wine labels, and other relatives contribute across the vineyard, restaurant and cellar door. The annual mid-to-late-April grape picking day adds a community element, attracting around 100 pickers for vintage celebrations. It suits visitors looking for a dedicated wine stop, a locally focused meal or a relaxed island afternoon, with bookings the practical choice for groups and anyone planning to dine.