Traveller: Lisa Wagstaff
Room: Cupitt’s Winery Luxury Pod
Address: 58 Washburton Rd, Ulladulla NSW 2539
Date: November 2021
Price range $550 per night or $595 for the bath suite
Best for a romantic getaway
Cupitt’s Estate has launched 10 luxury accommodation pods with views that frame cow paddocks among beautifully landscaped gardens. The modern pods sit opposite Cupitt’s Estate’s cellar door and restaurant.
Location
Cupitt’s Estate is at Ulladulla on the NSW South Coast, just over three hours from Sydney. As well as the new luxury accommodation pods, the property has a vineyard, restaurant, cellar door and fromagerie.
Claim to fame
Since its establishment in 2003 Cupitt’s Estate is constantly evolving. The Cupitt family started with planting grapes, opening a restaurant, then a brewery and fromagerie. It is a popular location for weddings, anniversaries and holidaymakers. Cupitt’s Winery accommodation is an obvious next step with guests wanting to stay longer at the property.
The showstopper
Two of the pods at Cupitt’s Estate have bathtubs on their balcony. Sitting in the outdoor bath at dusk, watching the cows on the lush green hills and listening to the rainfall was a highlight of our stay.
The family factor
The luxury pods have a bedroom with a king bed and a fold-out couch in the loungeroom that sleeps two kids. Portable cots are available for babies and children under three. The winery is dog and child friendly, with a relaxed grassy area to run around on and dance to the live music on Sundays. The pods are not dog friendly.
The room
Cupitt’s Winery accommodation is sleek and modern. The timber walls display artworks from Van Rensberg Gallery in Milton. Each 47 square-metre pod has a bedroom with a koala king bed, bathroom, kitchenette and lounge.
Our pod had an enormous bathtub on the balcony with views of the undulating cow paddocks. The pod is styled with wooden pieces, brushed gold finishes and flowers that are grown on the farm.
The lounge has a TV with streaming services and a Bluetooth speaker. The kitchenette’s fridge, microwave, kettle, toaster and compost bin make it easy to prepare food.
We received a bottle of Cupitt’s Brut Cuvee on arrival and complimentary breakfast with Cupitt’s homemade sourdough and jams. The breakfast hamper also included South Coast coffee, yogurt and milk, Pepe Saya butter, muesli and juice. The mini bar had a range of Cupitt’s wine, beer, cheese and condiments, Milton made Woodstock Chocolate and more.
Beyond the rooms
The pods are just across from Cupitt’s winery, brewery, restaurant, bar, cellar door and vineyard. We had a long lunch on the deck overlooking the grapevines and onto the Budawang Ranges.
We ordered a red wine flight but you can also choose a white or mixed flight. The casual dining menu has pizzas made with ingredients from the garden. Visit on a Sunday to watch live music on the lawn or on a Friday to sip wine around firepits.
You can also take a picnic in the vineyard, a cheesemaking workshop or go on a kitchen garden tour.
I wish I could take home…
A whole barrel of Merlot from our private cellar tour.
Dish to dine for:
I loved how many of the restaurants’ ingredients come from Cupitt’s own garden. The beef carpaccio is phenomenal with eggs from Cupitt’s chickens and smoked horseradish. The Murray Cod was the best I’ve ever eaten with super crispy skin and delicate flesh. Each menu item has a suggested wine pairing and Cupitt’s light Sauvignon Blanc went perfectly with the fish. Then we finished our meal with chocolate mousse and Cupitt’s cheese.
Amenities
The pods Leif Products are sulphate, paraben and soap-free, 100% vegan and cruelty-free. The products have a distinctly Australian flavour as they are made with native botanical extracts and essential oils.
Before booking…
Book the introductory offer for Cupitt’s Winery Accommodation. It includes a breakfast hamper for two, a bottle of Cupitt’s Brut Cuvee, Woodstock Chocolates and fresh flowers for $550 per night or $595 for the bath suite.
Insiders’ tips
Guests staying in the pods can book a special complimentary wine tasting experience in the cellar that is not available to the general public.
Stepping out
The charming village of Milton is five minutes away. Milton has antique shops, homeware stores and Pilgrims vegetarian cafe with great coffee and burgers – I’m not vegetarian but can vouch that the bliss burger is just as good as a beef burger. Mollymook beach is a 15-minute drive with great surf and a walk to the Bogey Hole’s sheltered rock pools. For the more adventurous, the three hour Pigeon House Mountain walk has a steep track and ladders to take you to an elevation of 720 metres above sea level. From the top, you can see all the way to Jervis Bay and the incredible gorges and cliffs in between. The hike is a 45-minute drive from Cupitt’s Estate.
If only…
The TV wasn’t so high on the wall. You have to crane your neck to watch it from the couch.
V&T expert rating
10/10 Cupitt’s Winery accommodation completely achieves what it sets out to be; charming boutique accommodation. It is South Coast luxury accommodation at its finest.
The writer travelled as a guest of Cupitt’s Estate but her opinions are her own.
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