The Macedon Ranges is on Melbourne’s doorstep, less than an hour from the city (40 minutes from the airport) and elevated, with vineyard areas generally above 400 meters and up to 700 meters.
Macedon Ranges vineyards are located along either side of the Great Dividing Ranges, seeking the optimum interaction of soil, topography, aspect and climate. In general it is a high winter rainfall area. With cool summers (the ranges attract weather), the ripening period occurs in the cool of autumn (delayed, slow and long), and is the latest vintage to occur anywhere in mainland Australia.
The wines reflect the climate and topography. There is diversity, but the predominant characters are a natural acidity and steely backbone. We also see fine, intense but delicate fruit characters and soft tannins in the red wines. The balance of alcohol, acidity and fruit provide complexity and longevity, and make the wines a superb match for a wide range of food.
Macedon Ranges vineyards are located along either side of the Great Dividing Ranges, seeking the optimum interaction of soil, topography, aspect and climate. In general it is a high winter rainfall area. With cool summers (the ranges attract weather), the ripening period occurs in the cool of autumn (delayed, slow and long), and is the latest vintage to occur anywhere in mainland Australia.
The wines reflect the climate and topography. There is diversity, but the predominant characters are a natural acidity and steely backbone. We also see fine, intense but delicate fruit characters and soft tannins in the red wines. The balance of alcohol, acidity and fruit provide complexity and longevity, and make the wines a superb match for a wide range of food.
Burke and Wills passed through in 1860 on their ill-fated journey north. Their legacy is marked by the Burke and Wills Track, a road name used to this day. Around this time vineyards and wineries sprang up surrounding Riddells Creek, Carlsruhe and Darraweit Guim.
In the 1840s and 1850s the Jackson Brothers and William and Walter Clarke of Clarkefield established the vineyards in Darraweit Guim and Riddells Creek. Vineyards in the Sunbury region to the south were also established at this time. It is believed that the extensive plantings at Riddells Creek were abandoned because of the 1890s recession, the cooler climate compared with Sunbury and the loss of English markets.
Viticulture was revived in the area in the late 1960s with Tom Lazar planting Virgin Hills in Lauriston and Gordon Knight of Granite Hills planting in Baynton in 1971. This was followed in 1977 by Gordon Cope-Williams’ vineyards at Romsey, Bob Nixon’s Gisborne Peak Winery in Gisborne South in 1978 and the establishment of Hanging Rock, Rochford, Portree and Roseberry Hill in 1983. Since then winemaking and grapegrowing has continued to expand, with Cleveland established in 1984, Cobaw Ridge and Mt Gisborne in 1985, Mt William and Bindi in 1987, Mt Macedon in 1989, and Curly Flat, Braewattie and Stonemont in 1993.
For more information on Macedon Ranges cellar doors and wineries please contact the Macedon Ranges Vignerons Association.
In the 1840s and 1850s the Jackson Brothers and William and Walter Clarke of Clarkefield established the vineyards in Darraweit Guim and Riddells Creek. Vineyards in the Sunbury region to the south were also established at this time. It is believed that the extensive plantings at Riddells Creek were abandoned because of the 1890s recession, the cooler climate compared with Sunbury and the loss of English markets.
Viticulture was revived in the area in the late 1960s with Tom Lazar planting Virgin Hills in Lauriston and Gordon Knight of Granite Hills planting in Baynton in 1971. This was followed in 1977 by Gordon Cope-Williams’ vineyards at Romsey, Bob Nixon’s Gisborne Peak Winery in Gisborne South in 1978 and the establishment of Hanging Rock, Rochford, Portree and Roseberry Hill in 1983. Since then winemaking and grapegrowing has continued to expand, with Cleveland established in 1984, Cobaw Ridge and Mt Gisborne in 1985, Mt William and Bindi in 1987, Mt Macedon in 1989, and Curly Flat, Braewattie and Stonemont in 1993.
For more information on Macedon Ranges cellar doors and wineries please contact the Macedon Ranges Vignerons Association.
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