Heathcote wine region

The Heathcote Wine Region in Central Victoria is located about an hour's drive north of Melbourne. It is noted for its Shiraz, but many winemakers are taking a much broader view of its potential for producing quality wines from a wide range of varieties.

Munari Wines in the Heathcote Wine Region

The Heathcote Wine Region adjoins the Bendigo Region to the west and enjoys a similar, but slightly cooler climate. To the immediate south is the much cooler Macedon Ranges region.

A unique feature of the region which many commentators mention is the soils which have developed on ancient Cambrian rocks. In fact Heathcote sits on a geological fault line and there are many different soil types originating from a very complex local geology. The undulating topography has generated a variety of microclimates suitable for viticulture.

Like many wine regions the history of this region extends back to the Gold Era of the middle to late nineteenth century, but as happened in many regions viticulture all but disappeared for several decades. In the 1960s the modern era began with small wineries around the township of Heathcote.

Since the 1990s the area to the east of the Mt Camel Range has seen large scale development by larger companies. As well as the wineries listed below, Brown Brothers has a large presence in the region; they are trialling quite a number of varieties in a nursery block.

Autumn colours at 3 Dams Vineyard in Heathcote region

Wine varieties in the Heathcote Wine Region

The region seems best suited to red wine varieties, especially Shiraz, but in later years also with Sangiovese and Tempranillo.

Considerable success is also being achieved with the Rhone Valley white wine varieties Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne.  

In more recent years more interest is being shown in Italian varieties, largely due to the influence of the Chalmers family coming to the region.

Alternative wine grape varieties in the Heathcote Wine Region

• Armstead Estate Marsanne
• Barfold Estate Fiano
• Blood Moon Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Fiano, Nero d'Avola, Sangiovese, Schioppettino, Vermentino
• Born and Raised Carmenere, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Tempranillo
• Buckshot Vineyard Zinfandel
• Bull Lane Wine Company Marsanne, Nebbiolo
• Burke and Wills Winery Gewurztraminer
• Chalmers Aglianico, Colorino, Falanghina, Fiano, Greco, Inzolia, Lagrein, Malbec, Lambrusco Maestri, Malvasia, Mammolo, Moscato Giallo, Negroamaro, Nero d'Avola, Pavana, Pecorino, Piedirosso, Ribolla Gialla, Sagrantino, Sangiovese, Schioppettino, Verdicchio, Vermentino
• Condie Nero d'Avola, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Vermentino
• Cush and Cush Vermentino
• Di Sciascio Family Wines Nebbiolo, Prosecco, Sangiovese
• Domaine Asmara Durif
• ECK Wines Marsanne
• Ephemera Negroamaro, Vermentino
• Farmer and the Scientist Tempranillo
• Flynn's Wines Sangiovese, Vermentino
• Foster e Rocco Fiano, Sangiovese
• Fratelli Durif, Zinfandel
• Galli Estate Fiano, Montepulciano, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Tempranillo
• Garden of Earthly Delights Sangiovese, Nebbiolo
• Greenstone Vineyard Sangiovese
• Heathcote Estate Nebbiolo
• Heathcote Winery Marsanne, Tempranillo, Vermentino
• Humis Grenache Blanc, Carmenere, Marsanne, Picpoul
• Huntleigh Vineyards Gewurztraminer
• Jasper Hill Fiano, Nebbiolo
• Kennedy Tempranillo
• Lake Cooper Marsanne
• Linnaea Arinto, Sangiovese
• McIvor Estate Marsanne, Nebbiolo, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Vermentino
• Merindoc Albarino, Montepulciano, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Vermentino
• Mia Valley Malbec
• Mount Burrumboot Estate Gamay, Marsanne, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Tempranillo
• Munari Garganega, Malbec, Marsanne, Vermentino
• Noble Red Carmenere, Durif, Petit Verdot, Tempranillo
• Paul Osicka Nebbiolo
• Red Edge Graciano, Tempranillo, Touriga
• Sanguine Estate Fiano, Tempranillo, Verdejo, Zinfandel
• Silver Spoon Wines Tempranillo
• Syrahmi Marsanne, Nebbiolo, Roussanne
• Tellurian Carignan, Fiano, Grenache Gris, Marsanne, Nero d'Avola
• The Happy Winemaker Carmenere, Nebbiolo
• Three Dams Estate Tempranillo
• Vinea Marson Barbera, Friulano, Malvasia, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Picolit, Pinot Blanc, Prosecco, Refosco
• Vino Intrepido Fiano, Friulano, Nebbiolo, Nero d'Avola, Sagrantino, Sangiovese, Vermentino
• Wanted Man Dolcetto, Marsanne, Roussanne
• Whistling Eagle Wines Arinto, Malbec, Sangiovese
• Wren Wines Marsanne, Roussanne

Young Carmenere vines at Humis Wines overlooking Lake Cooper in the Heathcote Wine Region

Visiting the Heathcote region

You make a wine tour to Heathcote from Melbourne as a daytrip, or make an overnight stay in some of the accommodation options such as farm stays or B&Bs. This allows you to enjoy the picturesque undulating landscapes without rushing.

Many of the wineries listed above have cellar doors open for wine tasting and sales. A few have restaurants or cafes, especially on weekends.

You could also include a visit to Heathcote wineries when you visit the adjacent Nagambie Lakes, Bendigo or Macedon Ranges Wine regions.

Detail of De Long Wine Map of Australia showing the Heathcote Wine Region. The full map shows all of the all of the GI regions In Australia. Click for details.

A blended white wine is the new face of Heathcote wine

Subscribers to Vinodiversity Community get invites to Darby's Special Taste and Talk Sessions. 

Victorian wineries on Pinterest

I have a Pinboard showing some of the wineries in Victoria who use alternative varieties.