Victoria’s King Valley has a new food and wine destination, with one of Australia’s oldest family-owned wineries opening its doors to an exciting new chapter.
Brown Brothers, which has been part of the region’s winemaking story since 1889, has opened the doors to The Arbour, a relaxed, Mediterranean-inspired restaurant and bar tucked among the gardens of its historic Milawa winery.
Bringing together wood-fired cooking, generous share plates and a dedicated cocktail bar, the new venue offers a fresh way to experience the winery, whether you’re stopping by for a long lunch, an afternoon drink or a leisurely weekend escape.
And with 137 years of winemaking heritage behind it, this latest addition commences a new chapter for one of Victoria’s most established wine destinations.
A new restaurant with a Mediterranean soul
Set between Brown Brothers’ Cellar Door and its hatted Restaurant, The Arbour offers a more relaxed alternative to its fine-dining sibling
While the Restaurant delivers a refined dining experience, The Arbour takes a more relaxed approach, with a menu centred on produce-led dishes, Mediterranean flavours and food made for sharing.
Wood-fired cooking takes centre stage, with flatbreads designed for scooping up dips, sauces and oils, alongside generous plates that encourage everyone at the table to dig in.
Browse between Skull Island prawns dressed with coriander, chilli and garlic, as well as half free-range chicken served with charcuterie and XO sauce. There’s also a Mediterranean-inspired favourite in the form of gildas, combining Yurrita anchovy, Gordal olive and pickled pepper.
Espresso martinis And Brown Brothers Wines
The drinks list brings another reason to settle in, with the bar serving refreshing cocktails and familiar favourites with a distinctly Brown Brothers twist.
The Prosecco Pink Grapefruit Spritz is set to be a crowd favourite, while the Espresso Mar-Tawny puts a clever spin on the classic espresso martini. Made with Smirnoff vodka, NV Australian tawny, Kahlúa and Platform 9 espresso, it’s an intriguing addition to the cocktail list.
Of course, Brown Brothers’ extensive wine list is also available, making it easy to discover a new favourite alongside the food.
A garden setting for long lunches
With approximately 80 seats, most of them undercover, The Arbour has been designed for year-round enjoyment.
Its garden setting creates a relaxed, social atmosphere, while private dining spaces offer a more intimate option for special occasions and group gatherings.
The idea is to give visitors more freedom to experience the winery at their own pace. You can arrive for a quick drink, settle in for a few share plates or turn an afternoon visit into a much longer affair.
It’s also a natural addition to Brown Brothers’ existing offering, giving visitors another reason to explore the Cellar Door, enjoy the gardens and make a day of their visit to Milawa.
What’s next for the 137-year-old winery
The opening of The Arbour builds on five generations of Brown family winemaking, bringing a more casual and accessible dining experience to a property with deep roots in the King Valley.
For Katherine Brown, ambassador and fourth-generation member of the Brown family, the new venue is about creating a welcoming place where visitors can spend more time enjoying everything the winery has to offer.
“The Arbour is all about making a day at Brown Brothers feel easy, enjoyable and worth lingering over,” she says. “Whether it’s an afternoon of share plates with friends, a spontaneous stop on a weekend getaway or an afternoon spent discovering new wines and local flavours, we want people to feel there’s a place for them here.”
From its first vintage to its innovative Kindergarten Winery, Brown Brothers has spent generations exploring new ways to make and enjoy wine. Now, The Arbour adds another dimension to that story, pairing its longstanding winemaking heritage with a contemporary food and wine experience.
For anyone looking for another reason to venture into Victoria’s High Country, a garden lunch, wood-fired feast and glass of something sparkling might just be the perfect excuse.
The Arbour is now open at Brown Brothers, 239 Milawa-Bobinawarrah Road, Milawa, Victoria.
