What it is
Bellbrae Estate is a family winery at 520 Great Ocean Road, Bellbrae, on the rolling hills just past Torquay. It's the closest cellar door to town, about 12 minutes from north Torquay, and it calls itself the only winery on the Great Ocean Road.
It's a relaxed place. You sit down for a tasting rather than standing at a bar, there's wood-fired pizza at the weekend and a local act on Sunday afternoons, and it doesn't cost a fortune. If you want one winery visit without spending half the day in the car, this is it.
A bit of history
Grapes were first grown around here about 150 years ago by Swiss settlers, when the country from Bellbrae to Geelong and beyond was one of Australia's biggest wine regions. Most of it went back to grazing in the 20th century. Bellbrae Estate planted its vines in 1999 on north-facing slopes, the first vineyard in the area for over a hundred years.
Being this close to Bass Strait helps. The sea cuts the risk of spring frost and evens out the summer heat, which suits wines that keep their natural acidity. In 2024 Simon Steele joined as viticulturist and winemaker after almost ten years at Medhurst in the Yarra Valley. Visit Great Ocean Road says the winery has been rated five stars by James Halliday.
The wines
Bellbrae Estate
The flagship range, made only in the better years with French oak and traditional methods. Good now and built to keep.
Longboard
Fresher wines to drink now, made for the relaxed way people eat and drink down here.
The cellar door is known for its chardonnay and cool-climate reds. The names and labels are a nod to the coast: the breaks, the surfers and the shoreline. All the wine is made on site. There's also a third label, Tetaz, and you can buy everything at the cellar door or online.
Photo: Cameron Murray/Assemble Agency,
courtesy of Visit Victoria 
Photo: Cameron Murray/Assemble Agency,
courtesy of Visit Victoria 
Photo: Cameron Murray/Assemble Agency,
courtesy of Visit Victoria Tastings, food and music
Tastings
Seated tastings, with the staff talking you through the core range and sometimes something from the museum range. Bookings are "strongly recommended" on the winery's website.
Food
Wood-fired pizzas and tapas on Saturday and Sunday, from midday to 3pm. On Thursday and Friday it's toasties. There are boards with local produce too.
Sunday music
Live local music every Sunday afternoon. It's a good one for a slow end to the weekend.
Local bits
The estate buys locally where it can, from the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Blackman's Brewery to The Otway Kitchen. The paintings on the cellar door walls are by local artist Drew Middlehurst, and they're for sale. There are even candles made from old Bellbrae bottles.
Functions
The estate takes function bookings. Enquire through the website.
Hours
When we checked in October 2026, the cellar door was open:
- Thursday, 10am to 4pm
- Friday, 10am to 5pm
- Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 5pm
It's closed from Monday to Wednesday. Book and check the latest on the Bellbrae Estate website.
Getting there and what's nearby
Take the Great Ocean Road out of Torquay towards Anglesea. The estate is at Bellbrae, about 10 km and 12 minutes from north Torquay. Because it's so close, whoever's driving only has a short trip home, and the spittoon is there for a reason. Victoria's limit is 0.05 for full licence holders and zero for learners and P-platers.
It fits easily around a surf check. Bells Beach is five minutes away, so you can watch the surf in the morning and have lunch here afterwards. Or carry on to Anglesea for the afternoon.
Bellbrae Estate FAQ
How far is Bellbrae Estate from Torquay?
About 10 km and 12 minutes from north Torquay, on the Great Ocean Road.
Do I need to book?
The winery strongly recommends it, especially at the weekend.
When is the pizza on?
Saturday and Sunday, midday to 3pm. Midweek it's toasties.
Is there live music?
Yes, local acts every Sunday.
What days is it open?
Thursday to Sunday when we checked. It's closed Monday to Wednesday.
What wines does it make?
Cool-climate wines under the Bellbrae Estate and Longboard labels, including chardonnay and cool-climate reds.
For the rest of the region's cellar doors, see our wineries guide. The next closest is Mt Duneed Estate, and for beer, see the breweries guide. Staying in north Torquay? Check dates at Holyday House.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 20 October 2026. Opening hours, patrols, rules and closures change — check with the source before you go.
- Cellar door — Bellbrae Estate (official)
- Menus — Bellbrae Estate (official)
- About us — Bellbrae Estate (official)
- Bellbrae Estate — Halliday Wine Companion
- Bellbrae Estate stands out on the Surf Coast for premium wine — Forte Magazine
- Bellbrae Estate — Visit Great Ocean Road