As we head into the festive season, it’s worth reminding ourselves that some of the best things in life are not swilled, but studied, swirled, sniffed and sipped. Like great wines.

Australia has so many beautiful and unique wine regions to explore - and some of the best drops on the planet to let wade across your palette and buds. Here’s a mixed half dozen we think you’ll enjoy a taste of:

Barossa Valley

South Australia’s creme de la creme wine region, the Barossa Valley, has been nurturing grapes to vino since 1842. The region is famous for Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Riesling, Semillon and Chardonnay as well as a reasonable drop called Penfold’s Grange.

There are more than 75 cellar doors to knock on, and gorgeous scenery to soak up along the way (ideally on a tour bus, or with a designated driver who doesn’t happen to be you).

Surrounded by rose gardens, fruit orchards and vineyards is the Jacobs Creek Retreat at Moorooroo Park Luxury Vineyard Winery Accommodation Barossa Valley (try telling a cab driver that after a few bottles of Shiraz). If you’re a foodie, you simply must experience their long lunch degustation matched to the region’s wines.

See more great Barossa Valley hotel deals.

Hunter Valley

Two hours north of Sydney is wine, golf and music buff heaven, the Hunter Valley. Amongst the 140 wineries in the region you’ll find Brokenwood, Lindemans, Pepper Tree, McWilliams and Tyrrells to name just a few favourites, and the varieties most enthusiastically loaded into the boots of cars and tour buses are Semillon, Chardonnay and Shiraz.

Aside from all the passionate winemakers here to help top up your glass and cellar-jargon to impress the folks back home, you have 18 golf courses to choose from - including Cypress Lakes and The Vintage - and antique shops to explore.

There are also regular events in the vineyards that could star local talent one day, or international juggernauts, such as Elton John and Dolly Parton the next.

Chateau Elan At The Vintage Hunter Valley has spacious accommodation overlooking the golf course fairways and valley, plus luxury sleep systems in each rooms, some with ‘Ergomotion’ zero gravity option for the ‘utimate in sleeping bliss’. Not that you’ll need a lot of help nodding off after all that fresh air, walking and co.

See more great Hunter valley hotel deals.

Margaret River

We could go into detail about the stunning beaches, majestic forests, spectacular caves and laid-back lifestyle of Margaret River, but let’s be honest, you’ve only read this far to get the juice on on the fabulous wines, right?

Well, amongst the 90 wineries are those that regularly produce wines that have aficionados around the world falling to their knees, embarrassingly chanting “We are not worthy”. Some of the better known and adored include Evans & Tate, Vasse Felix, Sandalford, Leeuwin Estate and Cape Mentelle.

People who study this sort of thing for a living inform us that the climate and soil here is perfect for wine grape growing, especially acclaimed varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Merlot and Semillon.

In fact, Margaret River wines have won so many international awards there’s talk about changing its name to Adele.

The intimate, peaceful Loaring Place Bed & Breakfast Margaret River has just four spacious contemporary bedrooms and serves up a breakfast of kings each morning using herbs from their own garden.

See more great Margaret River hotel deals.

Canberra region

Some politicians complain that Canberra is dull, but only those who haven’t yet instructed their comcar drivers to head for the surrounding vineyards and 26 wineries, most less than hour an hour from town.

Out to the east is emerging boutique winery Mount Majura Vineyard where they grow, tend and pick the grapes by hand.

In the other direction is Clonakilla Winery at Murrumbateman, famed for its Shiraz Viognier, but don’t forget to snaffle some Botrytis from Jeir Creek winery either. Many of the Canberra wineries have cellar doors and weekend music and meal events.

The Aria Hotel Canberra is ideally positioned for an all out Canberra winery assualt. And you can prepare for duty by starting your day in the sunny Cafe Glasshouse with a buffet breakfast.

See more great Canberra hotel deals.

Rutherglen

There’s something so Burgundy about the Victorian wine region of Rutherglen that you’d almost be forgiven for greeting locals with a perky,  “Bonjour!”. Especially at the 19th century All Saints Estate winery castle, with its turrets, towers and boutique cheese factory that lures you in with wafting scents.

Across the region you’ll find wineries dating back six generations and old-schoolers who still use basket pressing and traditional champagne techniques.

There’s lots to love when it comes to variety too – Sparkling Shiraz, Pinot Chardonnay, Riesling, Marsanne and Sangiovese - yet Rutherglen is most celebrated for Moscats,Tokays and its regular wine, music and foodie events.

About 30km away is the Comfort Inn and Suites Blazing Stump in Wodonga, close to other local attractions such as the Hume Weir Trout Farm and Original Ettamogah Pub in Albury.

See more great Wodonga hotel deals.

Tamar Valley

You don’t get voted “One of the 10 best wine routes in the world” by the UK’s Essential Travel magazine just for the pretty scenery – although 58 kilometres of vineyards, orchards, pastures and forests, turquoise sea and diamond sands of Bass Strait doesn’t hurt.

The Tamar Valley, near Launceston, is the state’s oldest wine region and birthplace of some of Australia’s finest sparkling wine, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.

Amongst the 20 cellar doors are much acclaimed Ninth Island and Jansz - but if your palate needs a change of scenery at any time, the J Boags & Son Brewery is in nearby Launceston.

Peppers Seaport Hotel Launceston luxury accommodation sits right on the waterfront and houses the solacious Mud Urban Day Spa.

See more great Launceston hotel deals.

Image courtesy of Charlotte Nash.