Macedon Ranges Wine Day Tour
- Dauer: 9 Stunden (ca.)
- Produkt-Code: MRW
The Macedon Ranges are so close to Melbourne and are often overlooked for the more commercial regions. That lack of commercialisation is in fact a great attraction for an area that sees itself becoming Australia's sparkling wine capital.
HIGHLIGHTS- Lyons Will Vineyard
- Granite Hills Vineyard
- Hanging Rock Cafe
- Hesket Estate Vineyard
- Hanging Rock Vineyard
Travel to the north of the city to the family owned and operated Lyons Will Vineyard. With vines first planted in 1996, this small estate of 5 acres has doubled in size since being acquired by Oliver Rapson and Renata Morello. On gentle, undulating countryside at an elevation of 550 metres above sea level, new plantings of Riesling and Gamay complement the original Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines. Enhancing the tasting would be cheese and biscuits.
A short drive away is the Granite Hills Winery at Baynton. The oldest operating vineyard in the region, their vines date back to 1970. The Riesling, Shiraz and sparkling in particular are highly sought after although their second range of wines also provide some excellent value and choice.
Nearby is the imposing Hanging Rock which rises more than 300 feet. It was formed six million years ago when a particularly stiff type of lava formed a rounded pile of layers on the surface as it was squeezed through a narrow vent in the earth. Since its formation, the mamelon has been exposed to considerable weathering and erosion, resulting in the unusual rock formations that can now be seen. Hanging Rock is also well known from the novel by Joan Lindsay, Picnic at Hanging Rock and the film made of the story – about the mysterious disappearance of a group of local schoolgirls during a picnic at the Rock in 1900.
Post-lunch it’s off to the Hanging Rock Winery at Newham. One of the highest elevated vineyards in the district, there’s superb views across to Hanging Rock as well as Mt Macedon. The region’s largest producer, they source estate grown fruit as well as grapes from numerous regions and with that selection offer something for most tastes. Their flagship wine is the sparkling Macedon.
The day concludes with a visit to Hesket Estate in Hesket. Situated at 660 metres above sea level, this is a small family operation dedicated to nurturing the best possible fruit from the superb terroir and turning that fruit into the highest quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that is possible to produce.
Indicative times of 9:15am to 6:15pm would apply but will be confirmed prior to the date of travel. Pick up is from your city hotel or from another agreed point.
