Cairns Wine Tours: Top Tropical North Tastings & Tours

So, you’re looking for some seriously good wine tours around Cairns and the Tropical North? That’s great! Turns out, that very place has way more to offer than just the Great Barrier Reef, I mean gorgeous coral is great and all, but have you had some truly unique, top-notch wine experiences there? Yet, loads of folks seem surprised when they discover that the region boasts some darn fine wineries and seriously cool tasting spots. I mean, we are going to walk through five really fabulous tours and tastings that should absolutely be on your radar, I think. Basically, each option offers something totally distinct, from super laid-back vineyard visits to pretty extravagant tasting adventures.

1. Exploring the Granite Gorge Wines

Alright, first up, if you fancy something a bit different, very away from the classic vineyard vibe, it has got to be Granite Gorge Wines. It’s almost an hour and a half inland from Cairns, very close to Mareeba. Anyway, that place isn’t just a winery; it’s almost like a little escape. It has this rustic charm with kangaroos just hopping around the place. You can actually enjoy feeding them which just adds a touch of Aussie charm to the visit. Speaking of Aussie experiences, the tasting sessions at Granite Gorge are super laid-back. So, you can sip on their wines while just chilling watching kangaroos! It’s a real ‘Only in Australia’ kinda moment. Now, that they’re known for is the unconventional approach. The Granite Gorge vineyard crafts wines from tropical fruit (think mango, passionfruit and lime!), blending into pretty amazing creations. Rather than your average grape-only cellar, this winery almost feels like a taste of the Tropics. You know, just without any sand!

And, for something, very different, maybe grab one of their cheese platters, I’m serious. Enjoy sitting out near the kangaroos and wallabies, very relaxed. I can almost tell you that it gets quite busy over there during school holidays, though, the winery isn’t overly huge so you never feel crowded. That being the case, plan ahead!

2. Mount Uncle Distillery Tour

So, you’ve done wineries and want something a bit different? Ok, next we go to Mount Uncle Distillery, which, by the way, it’s not exactly a winery. Yeah, I know, that’s quite different, yet hear me out. As a matter of fact, just imagine sampling award-winning liqueurs and spirits crafted from tropical fruits in the middle of the Atherton Tablelands? Anyway, this spot makes for an ideal change from grapes! But the distillery sits pretty on a banana plantation. Now you can tour with peacocks and other pretty neat creatures walking all around you. And that the distillery’s all-Aussie theme extends through the venue, which you just notice instantly with old machines around there to look at. A bit quirky but absolutely worth going over. The main distillery tour walks you through pretty much everything from the barrel aging to the infusion of fruit. After the walking tour, too, sample a few of their creations, from vodka to whiskeys. Still, be careful with their strong cocktails. They can hit pretty quickly!

In some respects, Mount Uncle works like Granite Gorge, by combining spirits and some natural wildlife. Actually, peacocks strolling through are quite unique. By the way, though this sounds off-topic, consider dropping by Coffee Works also a bit away from them. It’s nearly around the corner for great local coffees! I mean, a coffee right after the gin sounds almost like vacation.

3. De Brueys Boutique Wines

Now, if you want something more closely related to what a winery means, I mean one that’s focused on true winemaking, consider De Brueys Boutique Wines. Okay, that location makes its own fruit wines from bananas, passion fruit, mangoes and a few others that could sound extremely weird. Any way, don’t expect only grapes, anyway expect creativity! Also, this is the place if you feel like something unique, with a bit of exotic. It’s almost as if De Brueys crafts each of their wines using traditional wine-making techniques with fruits from right there. So, imagine this. Walking down in the vineyards where some of the fruits that ended in your wineglass. Now that is extremely local! They make a wide array from table to fortified styles as well as some fruit ports for trying. You could call this a “Tropical Winery”! Just without a beach.

Very cool, so, what’s nice when visiting this one is how educational that turns out. Turns out they actually walk you on the whole procedure, that is making wines with something else other than just grapes, yet a bit off the most common paths. And seriously, if you think that tropical fruit wine is not your cup of tea… try a couple different things while you’re there before judging, like your Mango Dessert Wine.

4. Golden Pride Wines

Here’s another tropical winemaker: Golden Pride Wines. What they do well is some truly unique experiences. Very unlike the other vineyards around Cairns. So, at this place, you can wander on an actual mango orchard. What that has got to do with wine? Just see what kind of wines they produce! You won’t ever regret a guided tour by them so they can assist you on picking what you would almost love to sample the most, to your personal tastes. Their cellar door almost overlooks that orchard that looks amazing while tasting all these tropical blends.

That being said, that isn’t merely the tasting I mean. Also shop all natural skin and body care with fragrances from fruit, such as mango. Which in some respects seems kind of cool, like your very own skincare routine that uses some fresh tropical aromas. By the way, keep in mind that Golden Pride doesn’t open daily and on holidays so schedule your travel over!

5. Shannonvale Tropical Fruit Winery

Alright, Shannonvale Tropical Fruit Winery might be a slightly smaller place than others listed, but seriously offers a totally lovely personal wine experience. Also this is the Tablelands’ very first winery, I almost didn’t believe it. That said, their tasting list of mango and passionfruit varietals shouldn’t be missed by those pretty open to discover what local fruits bring to the mix. Besides that, their wines make for absolutely amazing local products. Which that’s always amazing when visiting somewhere! I think it’s like finding an amazing recipe or like discovering any true gems while somewhere completely new.

You could go for lunch over there since there’s even some pizza. I mean, almost sounds like the type of things that the perfect winery is about. And their restaurant space overlooks gorgeous vineyard, making Shannonvale Tropical Fruit Winery very pleasing. But since they also do tours or pizza, expect more people during peak hours. But really, very highly worthwhile, they mix what’s expected to deliver amazing value! What more is needed than some pizza slices while exploring somewhere gorgeous with gorgeous wine?