Wine lovers looking for a dramatic departure from domestic winery visits should seriously consider making a trip to the Southern Hemisphere, especially Australia and New Zealand.

This is quite a commitment in time and money, but anyone who has ever longed to visit either nation or both should consider carving out leisure time and immersing in something fascinating.

Southern hemisphere wines are special. That includes Argentina and Chile, but I've spent lots of time in Australia and New Zealand over the decades and I'm never disappointed. The people are friendly, the cultures are sublime and sophisticated, and the wines can be stupendous.

I can't provide details in this short a space, but here are a few entry-level tips. First, if you are planning to visit one of those countries, consider spending at least three weeks, with time in each.

If going into Australia first, Sydney is a logical entry point. The nearest wine region is north of the city in the warmer Hunter Valley. One feature there is Semillon, a white wine best after it has been aged. Several Hunter wineries offer chances to try these wines.

Just south and west is the great city of Melbourne, on the Yarra River, where Wine Country really starts.

Nearby are cool Yarra Valley, Geelong, and the Mornington Peninsula, and the entry roads to northern Victoria and some fascinating Shiraz wines.

Further west is coastal Adelaide, where several wine regions (Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra) can be accessed by car.

On the West Coast is fast-rising Margaret River, which produces some remarkable cabernet sauvignons and shiraz. You can reach many of these areas by rail from major cities.

New Zealand is equally dramatic. You can fly into Auckland (North Island) or Christchurch (South Island), and be within driving distance of several wine regions.

On the North Island, I truly love the wines of middle-reach Hawke's Bay near Napier. At the southern tip near Wellington, there is largely undiscovered Martinborough, a gorgeous historic wine place.

You can ferry across the strait from Wellington to the South Island in two hours and from there visit Marlborough and Nelson, each with unique vistas and dozens of wineries.

Farther south is dramatic, ski-oriented Central Otago, and on the way there you can walk on one of two remaining glaciers. Central Otago is home to some of the most dramatic pinot noirs in the world.

This is but a brief introduction to Wine Country regions that are rarely visited by Americans. Both countries offer remarkable hospitality, food that is infinitely better than it was when I first visited in the early 1990s, and cultures that will amaze.

Yes, it takes several hours to get there, so I suggest carving out a month or more and spending at least two weeks in each country. You will not be disappointed.

Wine of the Week: 2025 Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough ($17): A bright, delicate white wine from New Zealand that is soft and crisp. From the winery's website: "Fresh, zesty, juicy and full ... Tropical fruit with a fresh herbaceous character, balanced with zesty passion fruit and a dry finish. A crisp, refreshing wine that shows its terroir ... "

To find out more about Sonoma County resident Dan Berger ([email protected]) and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.

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