The Heathcote region, nestled between the Goulburn Valley and Bendigo regions is famous as a premium shiraz producing area. The region is acknowledged as one of Australia’s wine icons.

Like many areas in central Victoria it was given over to sheep grazing in its earliest white history, followed by gold mining and then in the twentieth century wine production. The first vines appeared in the 1860s it was not until the 1960s that the real wave of development occurred. This development continues to this day with large investments being committed to new vineyards and wineries.

Heathcote has become recognised as a producer of extraordinary Shiraz wines, even rivalling those of the Rhone Valley from where the grape cuttings were originally sourced. It is home to some flagship winemakers who have achieved international fame for their representations of Australian Shiraz.

Residing to the north of the Great Dividing Range the region is at elevations between 160m and 380m. For the most part, the soil under vine is Cambrian - red and deep with excellent water holding capacity. As a consequence some vignerons do not irrigate and aim for smaller fruit intensely rich in flavour. The region’s rainfall is evenly distributed between the seasons and the temperature range is defined as temperate, with cooling winds emanating from the south.

The town of Heathcote after which the wine region is named, is small having a population of about 3,500 – a far cry from the 35,000 at the height of the golden days. Still thriving and typically rural, it is nestled in a picturesque bush landscape.

The local tourism industry caters well to the wine traveller with a range of accommodation and eateries in the town of Heathcote and surrounds. Cultural, recreational and eco-tourism activities now blend with farming and viticulture. Heathcote is encircled by box-ironbark forests, which have a range of interesting bush walks, and in spring, boasts displays of orchids and wildflowers.

Featured Experience

Mount Ida Lavender	H4
Growers, manufacturers and distributors of fine Australian Lavender products, gifts and oils. Enjoy our Tearooms surrounded by beautiful gardens with many varieties of Lavender grown here at the farm. Open: Thursday–Monday 10am–4pm. 17 Stoddart Road, Ladys Pass, Heathcote T: (03) 5433 4063 E: enquiries@mountidalavender.com.au W: www.mountidalavender.com.au