Heathcote, Bendigo @ Macedon Ranges

[Redwine&Rum]

Spending a week in and around the Heathcote Bendigo and Macedon Ranges wine regions.

I especially like Heathcote wines.

What's some good recommendations for wineries to visit and some good places for lunch.

Looking forward to hearing your recommendations.

Cheers

[trufflequeen]

Sounds like a great trip.

My pick of the bunch would be:

Macedon Ranges:
Curly flat, for excellent Pinot and chardonnay
Hanging Rock Winery - be sure to try their excellent Macedon Cuvee IX and brut rose. Their reserve Heathcote shiraz is a classic (but not really an essential buy at cellar door, when you can usually find it 1/2 the release price at auction )

Bendigo:
Pondalowie Bay - cellar door right on View st across from Bendigo ART Gallery. A bit of a Halliday darling (hope that doesn't put you off). Some interesting red varietals, and great value "Vineyard blend".

Heathcote:
- McIvor Estate, Tooborac - lovely nebbiolo, sangiovese and shiraz. Be sure to try their frantoio olive oil also.
- St Michael's Vineyard, Toolleen - a real boutique experience. (http://www.heathcotewinehub.com.au/wine ... -michaels/: need to call and book in a time with Mick Cann, who will provide you with a quirky experience, wielding Riedel glasses from the tin shed on his property). Most of the grapes go to Wild Duck Creek.
- Sanguine Estate and Heathcote Estate also make good Heathcote shiraz.

Food wise, you absolutely cannot go wrong with Masons of Bendigo (http://www.masonsofbendigo.com.au/) - just be sure to book well ahead!

[Diddy]

Macedon - in addition to Curly Flat, I really enjoyed visting Granite Hills and Cobaw Ridge.

Heathcote - last time I went we had excellent tastings at Red Edge and Paul Osicka, however I suspect they're both appointment only.

[Barney]

Agree with the above, Granite Hills and Cobaw Ridge are also quite close to each other and not too far from Curly Flat so could easily be squeezed into a few hours, if you were to do that could possibly fit in a lunch or dinner at the Redesdale Pub which sits on the road between Lancefield and Heathcote.

I live in the Macedon wine region with most of the best dining in Kyneton and Daylesford in the Macedon region, Passing Clouds just out of Daylesford do a good lunch and the Radio Springs Pub in Lyonville between Trentham, and Daylesford is my favourite local.

Not too sure about Heathcote, was there a few weeks ago and didn't seem to be too much on offer food wise, Heathcote Estate and Mitchelton do have cellar doors on the main drag which is handy, can also recommend Telurian Estate which is out towards Rochester.

[kaos]

Hello R&R

I live in central vic and know these areas pretty well. Agree with others' suggestions.

For food you won't beat Bress (might pay to book) - who also have some very impressive wines (Nth Harcourt on the old calder). If you are down there then try Harcourt Valley - just down the road...

Around benders I also like up near Marong where you can visit Sandhurst Ridge and Balgownie in close proximity.

m

[marsalla]

HI, We had lunch here http://dufermier.com.au/ a couple of weeks ago, fixed menu, matched with wines, lovely lunch. Worth a stop at http://collibanfoodstore.com/ for a coffee, and to see what is open. In Bendigo I have been to http://dispensarybendigo.com/ a few times and have always enjoyed it. Interesting wines by the glass too. Wine bank has a wide range by the bottle, however I couldnt recommend the meal.

If you are going West of Bendigo drop me a PM and I will tip some others for you


cheers
Sean

[paulf]

I haven't been for a while but I'd agree with everything noted above.
In Heathcote I quite liked the Flynns wines and it wasn't a bad place for lunch either
In Bendigo, I'd add Backjack for wine

[swirler]

Strange. Macedon thread and no mention of (IMO) the top producer, Bindi. Is there a particular reason for this?

And I might add that the winemaker is a very nice guy.

[JamieBahrain]

Craiglee. Yes I know its Sunbury but worth a visit on your way to the Macedon Ranges.

Great thread. I lived in Mt Macedon for many years and I'm coming back for a month in June so these recco's are fascinating- showing how much the area has come along. Mt Macedon pub is back in action too. Was a nice place for lunch/dinner with the front bar a little boganish but bearable. The Trading Post has some amazing vintage wine deals but I filled in the local gentry and they may have taken the lot- $30 for 90's MM Triolet etc.

Hope you post a report Red and Rum

[rooman]

Macedon - in addition to Curly Flat, I really enjoyed visting Granite Hills and Cobaw Ridge.

Heathcote - last time I went we had excellent tastings at Red Edge and Paul Osicka, however I suspect they're both appointment only.

In the Macedon Ranges region, all three would be my top picks along with Epis. I found the owner of Epis delightful in a completely obsessed way. He was running around opening bottles for us to sample before moving onto the next wine.

Also well worth a visit is the Chaouptier Store Front in Heathcote. A friend and I stopped in there last year as the first of many planned stops for the day and never left. They have amazing wine to sample, not only from their Australian vineyards but also their Rhone vineyard. Wonderful place but beware its an Aladdins Cave.

Mark