The Vine to Vintage Trail traverses three important wine growing regions.
Travelling the trail will take you from the Macedon Ranges Region in the south through the more northern Bendigo Wine Region and across to the highly regarded Heathcote Wine Region.
Each region has unique growing conditions and hence offer a wide variety of wines from the cremant of the Macedon Ranges' sparklies to the hearty reds of Bendigo and Heathcote.
Make time to explore Central Victoria’s diverse produce and experiences at cellar doors, farm gates, restaurants, art galleries, attractions, bed & breakfasts and more.... a new discovery is just around the corner.
The Bendigo Wine region is famous for its abundance of award-winning wines. From robust, fully flavoured reds to elegant whites, the wines from Bendigo’s gold-bearing soils are a wine lover’s treasure.
The Bendigo Region includes the towns of Bendigo, Bridgewater, Castlemaine, Elmore, Harcourt and Maldon - more information about the region's wineries can be found at: www.bendigowine.org.au.
Discover rare gems hidden in the picturesque hills and valleys - wineries that dot the landscape, many of which are still operated by the families who founded them.
Regular visitors to the region fondly refer to it as “The Winemakers’ Region”, knowing it is not uncommon to meet the winemakers, sleeves rolled up, tending vines or working in the winery. Taste a big, bold Shiraz, or share the winemakers’ passion for some of the different varieties they’re planting - Sangiovese or Sauvignon Blanc bearing distinct regional characters.
After a day among the vines, head into the city to discover more treasures – the renowned Bendigo Art Gallery, quality attractions and charming restaurants and cafés that feature exquisite modern cuisine with a regional accent. You are bound to find the experience of Bendigo’s wine and food is pure gold.
 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.
 The Macedon Ranges Wine Region is one of Australia’s coolest wine growing regions producing many outstanding, award-winning wines.
In the coldest parts, close to Mt Macedon, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and our regional native Macedon (sparkling) are the specialties. The northern, more temperate area around Malmsbury and Kyneton is home to Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. There are over 40 vineyards in the area and most are small family owned wineries, with winemakers who are eager to share their passion.
The area also boasts an abundance of local produce from tasty cured meats to wild mushrooms, cheeses, and succulent berries. You can meet the grower at farm gates and bustling farmers’ markets or find a charming café or intimate restaurant serving the region’s finest produce.
Natural attractions around the Macedon Ranges include Hanging Rock, Mount Macedon’s heritage gardens and Regional Park with the towering memorial cross at its peak.
A diverse community of artists call this region home. They work in all artistic media, adding to the colour and texture of this vibrant region. Much of their work finds its way into local galleries in Mount Macedon, Malmsbury, Kyneton, Woodend, Daylesford, Lancefield and Gisborne.
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