Wine Tasting in the Macedon Ranges
Did you know there are 27 cellar doors regularly open in the Macedon Ranges to explore?
Most of our producers are boutique and family owned. As a result, visitors are offered a unique, personalised experience to learn firsthand from some of Victoria’s best artisans of wine.
A cellar door adventure in the Macedon Ranges usually means you’ll be talking directly with the people who grow the grapes and make the wine.
Watch this short video to get a feel for what a Macedon Ranges wine tasting experience is all about…
About the Macedon Ranges Wine Region
The Macedon Ranges Wine Region is located less than an hour from Melbourne. The region grows some of the finest cool climate grapes in the land, with vineyard altitudes in the region range from 300 to 800 metres above sea level.
It is an outstanding wine region, offering wines that are diverse, limited in quantity and exceptionally high in quality.
Cool Climate Wine Tasting
There are over 21 grape varieties grown across the Macedon Ranges.
Popular varieties of the region are delicate sparkling wines, refined chardonnay and award winning pinot noir.
In vineyards surrounding Lancefield, Romsey and Trentham, delicate floral aromas can be found in the wine due to slow ripening during cool autumnal temperatures.
Moving beyond Kyneton toward the rocky outcrops to the Cobaws, more robust styles can be found with Shiraz and Cabernet.
Love a good bubbly? The native “Macedon Sparkling” is famed in the region. It’s made to an agreed style, using only Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes sourced from the Macedon Ranges.
What to Expect from Cool Climate Wines
Despite the varietal spread across the region, the Macedon Ranges’ cool climate has a unifying influence on the style of wines.
Firstly, our cool climate wines are more perfumed than their warmer region counterparts.
Secondly, they are usually in the light to medium bodied spectrum.
Finally, the natural acidity not only preserves the freshness of the wines, but increases the length of the palate and after taste.
Design Your Own Wine Tasting Trail
Check out our cool seasonal wine tasting itineraries for ideas on where to go, such as our ‘Winter Red Wine Lovers’, ‘Laneways of Lancefield’ or ‘Spring Sparkling Wine’ routes.
Macedon Ranges Wines has also teamed up with clever app Twenty Five Doors so you can create your very own customised wine tasting itinerary.
Your personal itinerary is 100% free and gives you a mapped guide of cellar doors you’ll love, its rating, and a little bit of information to help you have a great time there. Simple!
Food and Wine Tasting
Why not turn your wine tasting adventure into a mini epicurean soiree? Here are a few Macedon Ranges wineries that serve food along with wine tastings…
- At Gisborne Peak Winery you can enjoy a meal on their outdoor deck with views of the vines, or relax next to a cozy fire with hot pizza or prawns. Stay in their eco-cottages for a wine getaway close to Melbourne.
- Hanging Rock Winery arrange gourmet picnic hampers, plus make sure to try their very own range of Hanging Rock Speckled Beef. Open 7 days.
- If you’re visiting Mount Macedon on the weekend, Mount Towrong Winery offer popular Italian-style tasting plates (bookings essential). Or pay a visit to Mount Macedon Winery known for serving up delicious meals with locally sourced ingredients. They also offer picnic baskets that you can enjoy on their beautiful lawns. Open Thursday to Sunday from 11.30 to 4.30pm. Call 03 5427 4172 to make a booking and check if they’re booked out for an event.
- In Lancefield, Cleveland Winery Estate’s Carriage House Restaurant menu covers everything from wood-fired pizzas for lunch to intimate dinners. They also have on-site accommodation to make a weekend of it.
- Kyneton Ridge Estate has an on-site restaurant (indoor and outdoor) serving wholesome, homestyle meals such as warming soups in winter.
Most cellar doors offer tasting plates, including Lyons Will Estate, Hunter-Gatherer Vintners, Musk Lane Wine and Botanica Estate (who also feature their very own Wagyu beef). Double Oaks Estate make their own homestyle savoury and dessert pies available for wine pairing. Or bring your own picnic to Zig Zag Winery and settle in front of their fireplace.
Pay a visit to Mount Towrong Winery for Italian-style platters and wine.
Dog friendly cellar doors
Many cellar doors in the Macedon Ranges are dog friendly.
See our dog friendly cellar door guide to plan a wine-tasting trip with your furry bestie.
Macedon Ranges Wine and Food Festival
The Macedon Ranges Wine and Food Festival in November offers guests a personalised experience tasting new and exclusive wines and learning first hand each wine and winemaker’s story.
It is the perfect opportunity to take a break from the hectic pace of spring and take a deep breath. Winemaking is a gentle process and this is a big weekend of gentle celebration.
Take your time and taste the best wine and food that the Macedon Ranges has to offer. All the producer-families have a great story, all are characters and all are passionate about what they do.
Stay tuned for 2021 festival announcements here.
