Visitors to our area are often amazed by its natural beauty and how the country changes so dramatically – from rocky outcrops to thicketed forests to fertile pastureland. When it comes to winemaking, there are three major influences on the taste of wine: the grape variety, the winemaker and where it is grown, otherwise known as ‘terroir’. This wine itinerary is designed for you to experience our diverse flavours, all within 100km.
Plan Ahead – Best to undertake this itinerary on the weekend when all wineries are open
Why you’ll love this – A mix of large and small family run vineyards, full of knowledge and passion for what they do and serving incredible wines
Enjoy our beautiful landscapes and taste its influence on our wine as you go.
1
Captains Creek Organic Wines
If you are coming from Melbourne, travel to the area via the Melbourne Ballarat Highway. Take the Creswick exit and navigate to Blampied. Here you will find Captains Creek Organic Wines set at the foot of Kangaroos Hills, which is rich fertile pastureland. For more than a century, four generations of the May family have run this 80-hectare farm. The current generation, Doug and Carolyn May, established the vineyard in 1994. With their love of nature and taking their caretaker role very seriously, they pursued a natural approach and are proud to be certified organic with NASAA. This means the vineyard produces grapes that are grown and processed without synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilisers. They have a wide selection, including sparkling white and red, unoaked and oaked chardonnay, rose, pinot noir, verjuice, a method champenoise sparkling apple cider and two farmhouse style apple ciders.
MUST TAKE HOME – A bottle of our renowned Sparkling ‘Hepburn’ Chardonnay Pinot Noir “bubbles” for her or our ‘Seven Hills’ Pinot Noir for him
GIFT A FRIEND – A cellar door Gift Voucher to enjoy a delicious lunch with wines or apple ciders overlooking the vines in summer or by the roaring open fire in winter
DOG FRIENDLY – YES dogs are welcome to join their owners at or perhaps under the tables on the outside decking
2
Attwoods Wines
Start your journey east. Our next stop is a quick 25-minute trip, passing through Daylesford. Attwoods Wines cellar door is near the picturesque town of Glenlyon. This vineyard is sheltered by the Wombat State Forest and is a pretty spot to sit and enjoy a glass of wine. The positioning of the cellar door, in a slight valley, helps you to take in the views of the vines, orchards, vegetable gardens and picturesque dam. Winemaker Troy Walsh will be at hand to talk winemaking and guide you through their range of highly regarded pinot noir and chardonnay – some of which are featured on the wine lists of acclaimed Brae and Attica restaurants. Plan ahead and partake in their ‘Vignerons Lunch’, which is a seasonal set two-course menu that changes monthly. Cheese and charcuterie boards are also available all weekend if you miss the opportunity to dine.
MUST TAKE HOME – A bottle (or two!) of the estate wine.
GIFT A FRIEND – Buy an Attwoods Gift Voucher, available for redemption both at the cellar door or for wine sales online at attwoodswines.com.au
DOG FRIENDLY – Yes! They love a visit from your canine friend.
3
Hanging Rock Winery
Now we’ll travel east another 35 minutes to very different wine growing conditions. The significantly higher altitudes Hanging Rock Winery can usually receive a sprinkling of snow each year, and this spot has proven to be the perfect terroir for growing sparkling. The Ellis family run Hanging Rock Winery and winemaker Rob Ellis is the fifth generation of Australian winemaking royalty. Hanging Rock Winery is also our largest winery in the Macedon Ranges, boasting a range of highly acclaimed, award-winning wines. With grapes grown in Heathcote and central Victoria, you’ll find an incredible variety of wines to taste. What’s also unique about this location is the proximity to Hanging Rock. The views are some of the very best in the region, and it’s worth grabbing a cheese platter and settling in to enjoy at full leisure.
DOG FRIENDLY – YES
4
Mount Towrong Vineyard
Our itinerary now turns south, toward Melbourne. From Hanging Rock Winery, it’s best to travel directly over Mount Macedon and enjoy the winding fun – if you want to see the views, detour via Camel’s hump and Mt Macedon Cross before continuing. Mount Towrong Vineyard is nestled on the southern side of the mount. It’s a small family-owned and operated vineyard 600 metres above sea level. Their terraced vineyard maximises the gentle slopes, and their sustainable farming techniques ensure a consistent harvest of high-quality, low yield grapes. It’s quality over quantity that makes the finest wines. Mount Towrong has had great success growing lesser-known Italian wine varietals such as fiano and nebbiolo. Pair these with their hearty, homestyle Italian meals and you’re in for ‘bene’ times.
DOG FRIENDLY – YES
5
Gisborne Peak Winery
Our final stop is 20 minutes south again, and in autumn this drive offers a splendid display of deciduous trees. Gisborne Peak Winery is an incredible winery to visit and has been recognised with numerous cellar door experience awards. We’ve left this winery last, as you can also choose to stay on-site at one of their cottages after a busy day crossing the countryside. Gisborne Peak grows varietals best suited to a cold climate, including chardonnay, riesling, pinot noir and sparkling pinot noir. Guests may choose their seated Wine Flight, four forty-ml pours of wine of their choice along with tasting notes. Cottage Guests taste for free at the cellar door and then retire to their cottage, delighting in drinking a bottle of estate-grown wine on the balcony, overlooking the very vines that produced the wine.
MUST TAKE HOME – A Bottle of Sparkling Pinot Noir
GIFT A FRIEND – Wine-inspired merchandise or a gift pack that includes a bottle of wine and two etched glasses
DOG FRIENDLY – YES