A Cork Popping Cellar Door Guide to the Best Summer Bubbles

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What better excuse for a road trip than to choose your favourite sparkling for Christmas Day, directly from Macedon Ranges Cellar Doors?

We have a reason to pop some corks. With two lockdowns under our belt, Victorians well deserve a Christmas toast with some mighty fine local sparkling wine.

And the Macedon Ranges is Victoria’s ultimate sparkling wine destination. As the coldest wine-growing region on the mainland, our conditions are perfect for producing superb bubbles that rival your famous French Champagnes.

Most producers are boutique, family-owned affairs that lovingly produce their sparkling using age-old techniques. It really is all about small-batch, exceptional quality in our neck of the woods.

This Sparkling Cellar Door Guide highlights 13 cellar doors you can visit for tastings and direct sales.

So if the thought of gracing your Christmas table with a selection of seriously good Macedon Ranges bubbles takes your fancy, it’s time to map out your tasting itinerary. Oui oui?

PS. Currently Cellar Doors are encouraging advance bookings to manage visitor numbers.

Botanica Estate

Botanica Estate is a premium grape and wine producer located in Romsey, just a short distance from Hanging Rock. It’s one of the highest and coldest vineyards in Victoria and grows quality Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Gewürztraminer grapes.

The best part about Botanica (other than their amazing sparkling wine) is their sunny deck that beckons you for a drink. Here you can enjoy cheese and saucisson platters with your tasting, overlooking a stunning garden estate bursting with roses, peonies, maples and rare trees.  They even produce their own grass-fed Tullus Pollock Wagyu, available at the Cellar Door. In fact, you’ll find their delicious Wagyu Bresaola on their platters – delish!

1294 Romsey Road, Romsey

Saturday 11-5pm | Sunday 12-4pm 

Follow on Instagram @botanica_estate

Tip: Combine a sparkling wine tasting day out at Botanica Estate with a trip to nearby Hesket Estate and Hanging Rock Winery.

1. Sweet treats and garden roses at Botanica Estate. 2. Sparkling on ice beckons at Botanica. 3. Botanica Estate's tasting deck awaits.

Cleveland Winery

Cleveland Winery in Lancefield offers a seriously unique wine tasting experience in an underground cellar, unlike anything else you’d find in in the region. Their Macedon Brut is produced using the Traditional Method of sparkling wine production, plus you’ll also find they stock an astounding selection of local wines in addition to their own.

Tip: Book a table at their Carriage House Restaurant for one of their famous wood-fired pizzas for lunch. The views from their deck overlooking the vineyard and farm are stunning. Cleveland Winery also offer accommodation if you want to really indulge and turn your sparkling wine tasting soiree into a mini-break.

55 Shannons Road, Lancefield, (03) 5429 9000

Weekdays from 11am (upon request) | Weekends from 11am 

Dog friendly on leads

Follow on Instagram @clevelandwinery

Combine a sparkling wine tasting at Cleveland Winery Estate with nearby Parkside Winery Estate for the ultimate day out.

Cope-Williams

Cope-Williams Winery’s sparkling Macedon Brut is one of the premiere celebratory sparkling from Australia. It has won 11 Gold Medals over the last 15 years or so and is truly a Macedon Ranges sparkling gem. You may also want to try the Romsey Coniston, a light sparkling red that is great with Christmas lunches.

160 Glenfern Road, Romsey, (03) 5429 5595
Open weekends and public holidays from 10-5pm or by appointment.

Follow on Facebook @copewilliamswinery

Combine a sparkling wine tasting at Cope-Williams Winery with nearby Botanica Estate and Hesket Estate for the ultimate day out.

Cope-Williams Winery Macedon Sparkling

Cope-Williams Winery Macedon Brut NV

Hanging Rock Winery

Hanging Rock Winery is an absolutely gorgeous drive through the countryside and just as breathtaking when you arrive. With one-of-a-kind views straight to  Hanging Rock, this is a cellar door you can’t miss. They have five different sparkling wines to try, plus you get to check out their recently confirmed 2020-2021 Art in the Vines sculpture exhibition. So exciting!

Held from 21 November 2020 to 21 March 2021, this is a free event where you can explore their art trail with a glass of bubbles in hand and sunshine warming your shoulders. There’ll be over 25 amazing sculptures, all crafted by Australia’s leading sculptors.

Stock up on your Christmas bubbles and enjoy this fantastic creative event all at the same time.

88 Jim Road, Newham, (03) 5427 0542

Open 7 days, 10-5pm

Dog friendly on leads

Follow on Instagram @hangingrockwinery

Tip: Combine a sparkling wine tasting day out at Hanging Rock Winery with a trip to nearby Botanica Estate and Hesket Estate in Romsey.

Hesket Estate Winery

Hesket Estate Winery is a multi-award winning winery not far from Hanging Rock and offers three delicious sparkling wines to choose from. In fact, their  Blanc de Noir 2016 Sparkling received Gold and the Trophy for Best Sparkling at the Macedon Ranges Wine Exhibition in 2019. And their Edwina Sparkling Rosé N.V. is a beautiful drop for Christmas.

PS. Hesket Estate Winery also have a rustic little cottage accommodation known as the ‘Spud Diggers Hut‘ with views to their vineyard.

856 Romsey Road, Romsey, (03) 5427 0707

Weekends 11.30-5pm or weekdays by appointment.

Follow on Instagram @hesketestate

Tip: Combine a sparkling wine tasting day out at Hesket Estate with a trip to nearby Botanica Estate and Hanging Rock Winery.

Image by Kim Selby Photography

Hunter-Gatherer Winery

Hunter-Gatherer Winery specialise in small-batch, handcrafted wines combined with a relaxed, family-friendly vibe at their cellar door.  Their 2019 Prosecco and Sparkling Shiraz are made using the Traditional Method and simply to die for. You’ll love everything you taste at Hunter-Gatherer and may find it a little tricky to choose your favourite.

362 Pipers Creek-Pastoria Road, Pipers Creek, 0407 821 049

Weekends 12-5pm

Dog friendly on leads

Follow on Instagram @huntergathererwinery

Tip: Situated 10 mintues’ drive from Woodend or Kyneton, why not combine your Hunter-Gatherer Winery experience with nearby Kyneton Ridge Estate and Hanging Rock Winery?

Midhill Vineyard

Midhill Vineyard have been growing fine Macedon Ranges wine grapes for almost 30 years. Their Blanc de Blancs have consistently won medals and an occasional trophy at both Daylesford and Macedon Ranges Wine Exhibitions, including a Silver medal for the 2015 Blanc de Blancs at the Macedon Ranges Wine Exhibition in October 2019.

1727 Romsey Road, Romsey, (03) 5429 5565 or 0409 408 977

Open by appointment only

Follow on Instagram @midhillvineyard

Tip: Combine a sparkling wine tasting day out at Midhill Vineyard with a trip to nearby Botanica Estate and Hesket Estate.

Zig Zag Rd. Winery

Only a short drive from the historic village of Malmsbury, the stunningly beautiful Zig Zag Rd. Winery produces small-scale wine on a regenerative 10-acre vineyard. The young family behind Zig Zag Winery are a lot of fun too, as are their wines. The 2019 Sparkling Shiraz is a winner for Christmas and hot summer days. In their words this drop has notes of love, laughter, questionable 90’s house music and dog-like joy. It’s light, fresh, ‘bitey’ and vibrant – you’ll love it.

Zig Zag Rd. Winery welcomes you to BYO a picnic to enjoy at their cellar door, so you might want to drop by the Malmsbury Bakery or Piper St Food Co. in Kyneton on the way.

201 Zig Zag Road, Drummond, 03 5423 9390

Thursday to Monday: 10-5pm

Dog friendly on leads

Follow on Instagram @zigzagwines

Tip: Combine a sparkling wine tasting day out at Zig Zag Rd. Winery with a trip to nearby Kyneton Ridge Estate and Hunter-Gatherer Winery.

zig-zag-wines

Mount Towrong Vineyard

Mount Towrong Vineyard is a small, family-run vineyard situated 600m above sea level with views to both Mt Macedon and Mt Towrong. Their pick for Christmas is a 2019 Vivace, a fresh, dry sparkling that is a co-fermented blend of Chardonnay and Nebbiolo. Salmon pink colour, it is great served with natural oysters.

Their cellar door also serves extremely delicious Italian-style fare that pairs perfectly with Mount Towrong’s Italian wine varietals. And if you happen to be a gin fan, make sure to taste the locally distilled, award-winning gin by Mountain Distilling while you’re there.

4 Taylors Road, Mount Macedon, 0488 155 088

Weekends 10-5pm

Dog friendly on leads

Follow on Instagram @mounttowrongvineyard

Tip: Combine a sparkling wine tasting day out at Mount Towong Vineyard with a trip to nearby Mount Macedon Winery.

Mount Towrong Vineyard

Parkside Winery Estate

Parkside Winery Estate’s winery and cellar door are located on the grounds surrounding the historical Parkside homestead built in 1890.

Specialising in Sparkling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, their wines regularly achieve awards at regional and national wine shows. Most recently, their 2013 Chardonnay Pinot Noir Sparkling was awarded a trophy for the Best Sparkling at the 2019 Daylesford Wine Show, following a Silver Medal at the Australia and New Zealand Boutique Wine Show in Sydney in 2018.

Parkside Winery Estate host visitors in their lovingly restored Clydesdale horse stables. And throughout November 2020, they have teamed up with Kyneton’s Monsieur Pierre to offer gourmet lunchboxes and a glass of wine for $30 (by pre-order). So once you’ve chosen your favourite sparkling, sit down on the grass under one of their giant oak trees and enjoy a picnic.

308 Parks Road, Lancefield, 0419 036 581

Weekends 11-4pm (October to April), other times by appointment.

Dog friendly on leads

Follow on Instagram @parksidewineryestate

Tip: Combine a sparkling wine tasting day out at Parkside Estate Winery with a trip to nearby Cleveland Estate Winery.

Parkside Estate Cellar Door

Mount Macedon Winery

Mount Macedon Winery is a hidden gem tucked away down a forest trail on the slopes of Mt Macedon. It is both a farm, restaurant, cellar door and wedding venue. It even has a boutique accommodation offering if you want the full winery experience without having to drive home.

Pre-book lunch on the deck of their restaurant or enjoy an antipasto plate with your wine tasting at their cellar door.  And when you’ve finished eating and drinking, soak up the surrounds and take a stroll on the farm. The views, wildlife, food and wine make this a truly zen experience.

You’ll just be hard-pressed to choose between their Estate Grown 2015 Sparkling Cuvee, 2010 Sparkling Pinot Noir or 2017 Sparkling. And did we mention they’ve just launched their own range of Lagers and Pale Ales?

433 Bawden Road, Mount Macedon

Thursday to Sunday: 11.30-4.30pm, (03) 5427 4172 

Dog friendly on leads

Follow on Instagram @mountmacedonwinery

Tip: Combine a sparkling wine tasting day out at Mount Macedon Winery with a trip to nearby Mount Towrong Vineyard.

mount macedon winery

Kyneton Ridge Estate

Only a short drive from Kyneton village, Kyneton Ridge Estate is a beautiful winery and vineyard nestled right next to Black Hill Reserve. It’s teaming with native wildlife and you’ll certainly see plenty of wild roos when sitting on their sunny deck enjoying a drop of bubbles.

And mighty fine bubbles they are. With seven years on lees, their 2013 Macedon Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay is made in the traditional French method with 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Or maybe their Kyneton Ridge NV Heathcote Sparkling Shiraz is more to your taste, with crimson red notes of raspberry, plum, cinnamon and chocolate.

Kyneton Ridge Estate also have a cafe that serves homestyle cooking, wood-fired pizzas, desserts and light sharing plates.

90 Blackhill School Road, Kyneton, 0408 841 119. Entry to Cellar Door via Hallorans Lane.

Weekends 11-5pm and most public holidays

Dog friendly on leads 

Follow on Instagram @kynetonridgeestate

Tip: Combine a sparkling wine tasting day out at Kyneton Ridge Estate with a trip to nearby Zig Zag Rd. Winery.

Kyneton Ridge Estate Rocks

Gisborne Peak Winery

Gisborne Peak Winery is a convenient cellar door to Melbourne and an ideal spot for a wood-fired pizza lunch on their beautiful deck overlooking a small lake and the vineyard.

Their 2017 vintage Sparkling Pinot Noir is perfect for Christmas lunch or dinner.  Made from Estate Grown Pinot Noir, the wine has a rich strawberry palate, a big bold mouthfeel and a lingering finish.  Perfect with roasts, this is a wine to have with your main course and with really good friends.

PS. Gisborne Peak Winery offers vineyard accommodation ideal for quick winery getaways close to Melbourne.

69 Short Road, Gisborne South, (03) 5428 2228 or 0432 185 009

Friday to Sunday, 12-6pm

Dog friendly on leads

Follow on Instagram @gisbornepeakwines

Gisborne Peak Sparkling Pinot Noir

Gisborne Peak Sparkling Pinot Noir

Design your own sparkling wine tasting itinerary

Design your own custom Macedon Ranges sparkling wine tasting itinerary using the handy Twenty Five Doors app. Or check out our fabulous Sparkling Wine Lovers Trail for a one-day bubbly adventure that takes you from Malmsbury to Pipers Creek, Lancefield and Gisborne.

Find out what’s happening in the Macedon Ranges this month

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