Artemis Wines: A Dog-Friendly Southern Highlands Winery Worth the Drive from Sydney
Tucked down an unsealed lane off the Old Hume Highway just outside Mittagong, Artemis Wines is not the kind of place you stumble across by accident.
We found it before a Bowral day trip, searching for something a little different - and when the details lined up, great wine, wood-fired pizza, a relaxed atmosphere, and somewhere we could actually bring the dog, the decision made itself. Some places just have your name on them before you have even been.
Artemis has been part of the Southern Highlands landscape longer than most people realise. Brothers Mark and Anton Balog planted their first vines here in 1996, making it one of the earliest wineries in the region and the first to plant Pinot Noir - a decision that has aged about as well as the wine. Arriving for the first time, none of that history announces itself loudly. What you get instead is a welcoming open terrace, the warm presence of a wood-fired pizza oven, and rows of vines climbing up and over the hill behind it. It feels like a find. Because it is.
Getting there - finding Artemis Wines in Mittagong
Getting to Artemis requires a little faith in your GPS. The turn off the Old Hume Highway comes up quickly, and the unsealed road that follows does not exactly announce itself with confidence. There is minimal signage, and for a moment you will probably find yourself wondering if you have taken a wrong turn. You have not. Stay with it, and the road delivers you to one of the better kept secrets in the Southern Highlands.
What to expect on arrival
The pace of Artemis sets itself the moment you arrive. There is no formality, no hustle - just the kind of unhurried atmosphere that makes an afternoon disappear without you noticing. Order a glass, find a spot on the lawn, and let the place do the rest.
Dog friendly and perfect for groups
What makes Artemis particularly easy to recommend is how well it works for different kinds of visits. Dogs belong here - on both of our visits there were multiple dogs around the grounds, all of them settled and at home in a way that tells you this is just how the place operates. It works just as well for families - on our second visit our daughter, just finding her feet at fourteen months, had the run of the outdoor space and loved every minute of it. Groups, couples, families with young kids and leashed dogs - Artemis handles all of it without missing a beat.
The food - wood-fired pizza on weekends
The wood-fired pizza is weekends only, and it is worth planning your visit around. The menu is straightforward done well - we have ordered across two visits and have not been disappointed either time. On our second trip we added a garlic pizza to the mix so our daughter could get involved, which tells you something about how unpretentious the food is here. It is not trying to be a restaurant. It is trying to make your afternoon better, and it does exactly that. If you are going on a weekend, order the pizza. If you are going midweek, the olives are a good call alongside whatever you are drinking.
The cellar door - wines and distillery tastings
The cellar door is where Artemis earns its reputation. Tastings cover both the wine and distillery range - a good way to work your way through what they have on offer before committing to a bottle. On our first visit I went straight to a glass of the Pinot Noir, which turned out to be a short path to walking out with two bottles. The Riesling caught my eye on the way through and came with us as well. Check the current tasting fee and book your spot at artemiswines.com.au/cellar-door before you go.
The distillery side is one for the next visit. On both trips we watched groups work their way through the tasting and enjoy every minute of it - the gin and rum in particular seemed to draw a lot of attention. It is on the list, and Artemis has a way of making sure you always have a reason to come back.
Tasting notes - Artemis Pinot Noir
The Pinot Noir is the wine that started it all for us at Artemis, and it is not hard to see why it has become the flagship. It is a lighter, smooth drinking Pinot built around bright red fruit. Strawberry, cherry and raspberry come through clearly on the nose, with a warmth of oak and vanilla behind it and just enough earthy depth to give it some character. It drinks easily on its own on the lawn and holds its own alongside food. One glass on the first visit turned into two bottles in the car on the way home, which is probably the most honest tasting note you will find.
Artemis is the kind of place that earns a spot on your regular rotation without you really noticing it happening. Whether you are after a lazy afternoon on the lawn with a bottle of Pinot, a cellar door tasting to work your way through the distillery range, or just a reason to get out of the city for a few hours - it delivers on all of them. Book ahead if you are going on a weekend, bring the dog, and leave enough room for a pizza. You will not regret it.
Planning your visit to Artemis Wines
Artemis Wines is located at 46 Sir Charles Moses Lane, off the Old Hume Highway, Mittagong NSW 2575. It sits 1.5 hours south of Sydney, five minutes from Mittagong and eight minutes from Bowral - making it an easy addition to any Southern Highlands day trip.
When to go and booking ahead
The cellar door is open Wednesday to Friday 10am to 4pm, and Saturday to Sunday 10am to 5pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Bookings are highly recommended for both tastings and lunch, particularly on weekends when the wood-fired pizzas are on. Pizzas are weather permitting and outdoors only, so it is worth checking conditions before you go.
Tastings are $20 per person with $10 redeemable against a bottle purchase. Leashed dogs are welcome in all outdoor areas. Hours can change seasonally so always check the website or socials before visiting.
You can book directly at artemiswines.com.au/cellar-door, or get in touch via phone on 0401 199 075 or email at cellardoor@artemiswines.com.au. Find them on Facebook at facebook.com/artemiswines.
