Dawning Day Winery & Distillery
ProHighlights
- Hosted tastings of the estate's cool-climate wines plus house gin, vodka and limoncello at a small family cellar door
- Group tastings and corporate gatherings tailored to your numbers, with produce boards available alongside the pour
- A working Exeter vineyard growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Gamay, with a fireside room and a summer pergola
About Dawning Day Winery & Distillery
Dawning Day Winery & Distillery is a small, family-owned vineyard in Exeter, run by Mike and Katrina Archer. The estate grows Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Gamay in the cool, elevated climate of the Southern Highlands. The wider range runs to more than 20 wines made from over 15 varieties sourced around New South Wales. Gin, vodka and limoncello are distilled in small batches too. The cellar door is an intimate room with an open fire for winter afternoons and a pergola for the warmer months. A premium tasting takes in a selection of wines and spirits and comes with a small cheese plate. Guests can upgrade to a produce board of house pickles, cheeses, cured meats, dip, olives and crackers. Leashed dogs are welcome inside, and bookings are strongly encouraged because seating is limited. For groups, the team will shape a tasting around your numbers and what you want from the day, from a corporate outing to a gathering of friends. The vines are farmed regeneratively, with strawberry clover planted between the rows to feed the soil. A share of all wine revenue goes to charities and community groups. Guests who want to linger can stay in the architect-designed barn attached to the winery, so send an enquiry with your date and group size to start planning.
Inclusions & amenities
Activity type
Setting
Pricing
Premium tastings include a small cheese plate, and produce boards can be ordered as an extra.
Food
Beverages
Availability
What's Included
Frequently asked questions
Can Dawning Day host a private group tasting?
Yes. The cellar door takes group tastings and corporate groups, and the team tailors the experience to suit your numbers. Send an enquiry with your date and group size so they can plan it.
What do we taste at the cellar door?
The premium tasting covers a range of Dawning Day wines, from estate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Gamay to wines from other New South Wales vineyards, plus the house gin and limoncello.
Is food served with the tasting?
Every premium tasting includes a small cheese plate. For something more filling, order a produce board with house pickles, artisan cheeses, cured meats, a seasonal dip, olives and crackers.
When is the cellar door open, and do we need to book?
It opens Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11am to 5.30pm. Bookings are strongly recommended because the room is small; walk-ins are seated only when space allows.
Can we bring our dog?
Yes. Dogs on a leash are welcome inside the cellar door, and the vineyard has its own resident wine dogs that like to say hello to visitors.
Where we are
Suitable occasions
Kaila
6 months ago
We had the most incredible experience at Dawning Day Winery. From start to finish, everything was exceptional. We stayed in the onsite accommodation, which was beautiful, peaceful and the perfect base to soak in the surr…
Richard Warner
10 months ago
Great little winery with a wide choice of red and white wines as well as a range of spirits. We booked in for a wine and spirits tasting session and thoroughly enjoyed our instructive and friendly chat with the hostess.…
Elise Venrooy
a year ago
Popped in without a booking on a Saturday afternoon and were lucky enough to score a table for tastings. The wines were honestly all fantastic, whether you're a white or red lover, you'll certainly find something here. T…
Phoebe Pilcher
a year ago
Dawning Day is a true southern highlands gem! I usually drink white and my partner drinks mostly reds, but their range was wide and exciting enough to cater for both of us. The staff are outstanding and so accomodating,…
Is this your business? Claim this listing
Related listings nearby
From $59pp
