1. Mount Towrong Vineyard Cellar Door 2. Views from Mount Towrong Vineyard 3. Delicious food at Mount Towrong
Kyneton Ridge Estate, Kyneton
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 there’s a mighty good chance you’ll see plenty of wild roos when sitting on their sunny deck enjoying a drop of bubbles.
Kyneton Ridge Estate also have a cafe that serves homestyle cooking, wood-fired pizzas, desserts and light sharing plates.
We highly recommend a walkies in Black Hill Reserve before your wine tasting and lunch. It’s the perfect day out!
90 Blackhill School Road, Kyneton, 0408 841 119. Entry to Cellar Door via Hallorans Lane.
Weekends 11-5pm and most public holidays
Follow on Instagram @kynetonridgeestate
Double Oaks Estate, Lancefield
A cool climate winery and truffle plantation, Double Oaks Estate is a family affair that serves up delicious wine and a relaxed, fun atmosphere. They also smoke local meats and turn them into homemade American-style BBQ pies to enjoy with their wines. Yum!
104 Ashworths Road, Lancefield, 0422 762 629
Open 7 days – just call first to make sure we’re not out in the vineyard!
See our What’s On page for all their fabulous weekend foodie events.
Wombat Forest Vineyard & Winery, Denver
Wombat Forest Vineyard is a surprise package nestled in the Wombat Forest at Denver. Their family history extends back to the early settlement of the area in the mid 1800s. Situated on the edge of the Wombat Forest, the vineyard is home to an abundance of native wildlife and an amazing diversity of flora.
Only 15 minutes’ drive from Kyneton, the drive through the countryside into Denver is spectacular. The cellar door is nestled on top of a ridge overlooking their dam, with the Wombat Forest as a backdrop. Here you can sit on an informal deck, taste their wines and feel at one with nature.
Seasonal tasting platters are available.
189 Springhill-Glenlyon Road, Denver
Weekends and public holidays, 10-5pm
Follow on Instagram @wombatforestwines
Mount Macedon Winery, Mount Macedon
Mount Macedon Winery is a hidden gem tucked away down a forest trail on the slopes of Mt Macedon.
Pre-book lunch on the deck of their restaurant or enjoy an antipasto plate with your wine tasting at their cellar door. They even offer pre-booked takeaway picnic boxes to enjoy on the property.
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.
P.S. You might want to take pooch on a walk to Sanatorium Lake in Macedon Regional Park beforehand to make the most of your trip to the mountain.
433 Bawden Road, Mount Macedon
Thursday to Sunday: 11.30-4.30pm, (03) 5427 4172
Follow on Instagram @mountmacedonwinery
Hunter-Gatherer Winery, Pipers Creek
Hunter-Gatherer Winery specialise in small-batch, handcrafted wines combined with a relaxed, family-friendly vibe at their cellar door. You’ll love everything you taste at Hunter-Gatherer and may find it a little tricky to choose your favourite. They also offer tasting plates to go with your wine.
This winery is only a short distance from Hanging Rock, so you might want to take pooch for a walk in the reserve first (note, the Summit Trail isn’t accessible to doggies).
362 Pipers Creek-Pastoria Road, Pipers Creek, 0407 821 049
Weekends 12-5pm
Follow on Instagram @huntergathererwinery
Parkside Estate Winery
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 surrounding gardens with plenty of shade for the pooch.
308 Parks Road, Lancefield, 0419 036 581
Weekends 11-4pm (October to April), other times by appointment.
Follow on Instagram @parksidewineryestate
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, as are their wines. They also welcome 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.
Pooch might enjoy a walkies in Malmsbury Botanic Garden too. This special garden has the most stunning outlook to a historic bluestone viaduct that many a passionate photographer has been inspired to snap.
201 Zig Zag Road, Drummond, 03 5423 9390
Thursday to Monday: 10-5pm
Follow on Instagram @zigzagwines
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. Doggies adore hanging out at this welcoming cellar door and restaurant!
You might also want to take a walk in the lovely Gisborne Botanic Gardens or Jacksons Creek Reserve walk beforehand.
69 Short Road, Gisborne South, (03) 5428 2228 or 0432 185 009
Friday to Sunday, 12-6pm
Follow on Instagram @gisbornepeakwines
Billy and Tulip enjoying an al fresco lunch at Gisborne Peak Winery.
Cleveland Winery, Lancefield
Cleveland Winery offers a seriously unique wine tasting experience in an underground cellar, unlike anything else you’ll find in the region. In addition to their own wines, you’ll also discover an astounding selection of local wines to try.
Once you choose your favourite drop, order a bottle and sit on the grass under a shady tree. Their gardens are beautifully kept and there’s lots of picturesque spots around the flower beds to settle in for the afternoon.
If you’re hungry, you can even dine at their Carriage House Restaurant, particularly known for their delicious wood-fired pizzas. The views from their deck overlooking the vineyard and farm are stunning. The pooch will love it.
55 Shannons Road, Lancefield, (03) 5429 9000
Weekdays from 11am (upon request) | Weekends from 11am
Follow on Instagram @clevelandwinery
Hanging Rock Winery, Newham
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.
In addition to their amazing selection of wines to try, they sell their very own Hanging Rock Speckled Beef and gourmet picnic boxes at the cellar door.
You may want to time your visit over the summer months while their Art in the Vines sculpture exhibition is on. This is a free, annual event where you can give pooch an art education.
Wander their art trail with a glass of bubbles in hand and sunshine warming your shoulders. See our What’s On page to check for latest events and exhibition details at Hanging Rock Winery.
88 Jim Road, Newham, (03) 5427 0542
Open 7 days, 10-5pm
Follow on Instagram @hangingrockwinery
Lyons Will Estate, Lancefield
Winner of the Gourmet Traveller Wine’s Best Small Cellar Door Award for 2020, this artisan winery specialises in award-winning Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gamay and Riesling. Charcuterie and cheese boards are on offer, so you can easily kick back with a bottle of your favourite drop and savour their beautiful country vibes.
P.S. The Lancefield Farmer’s Market is open on the 4th weekend of the month, coinciding with the opening hours of their cellar door. Do yourself a favour and visit this fantastic market in the morning before heading to Lyons Will Estate.
60 Whalans Track, Lancefield, 0412 681 940
2nd and 4th weekend of the month, 11-5pm, or by appointment
Follow on Instagram @lyonswillestate
Turn your visit into an overnight adventure
There are plenty of dog-friendly places to stay in the Macedon Ranges. Stretch your wine adventure into a longer visit and book a getaway.