West Melbourne and Beyond

Macedon Ranges Wine Region

The Macedon Ranges wine region, located in the North West of Victoria, Australia, is celebrated for being one of the country's coolest wine-growing areas. This unique climate is instrumental in the production of high-quality, cool-climate wines, particularly known for their sparkling wines, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and other aromatic white varieties such as Riesling.

*Mount Towrong Vineyard. Image: West Melbourne and Beyond.*

The region's elevation, ranging from 300 to 800 metres above sea level, contributes to its cool climate, with vineyards often shrouded in mist and subject to a longer ripening period. This extended season allows for the gradual development of flavors and acidity, resulting in wines of exceptional complexity and elegance.

Witchmount Estate Winery — *Hesket Estate. Image: West Melbourne and Beyond.*

Macedon Ranges' volcanic soil, rich in minerals, also plays a crucial role in the character of its wines, imparting a unique terroir that is reflected in the depth and subtlety of the wines produced here. The small-scale, often family-owned wineries and vineyards dotting the landscape are committed to sustainable viticulture and artisanal winemaking techniques, emphasising quality and individuality over quantity.

Small in scale. Large on passion: This emphasis on quality and individuality due to the general small operations of these wineries is what makes a tour around the Macedon Ranges wine region special. When you go on your own cellar door tour or tours around the region you have a much greater chance of actually talking to one of the owners. I really love talking to the owners and you feel a lot more connected to the winery when you do get the opportunity to talk to the owners.

*Paramoor Winery. Image: West Melbourne and Beyond.*

In fact the enjoyment is so great that it can even be a letdown when the cellar door experience feels a bit more corporate. You really do appreciate many of these smaller scale operations as when you do chat to them you often realise for many of them it is a real labour of love and passion project as much as it is a business enterprise.

The region is not only known for its superb wines but also for its stunning natural beauty, with rolling hills, lush forests, and dramatic landscapes providing a picturesque backdrop for wine tourism.

Wine enthusiasts visiting the Macedon Ranges can enjoy intimate cellar door experiences, wine tastings guided by the winemakers themselves, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that reflects the community's passion for wine and the land.

Cleveland Estate Winery — *Kyneton Ridge Estate Winery. Image: West Melbourne and Beyond.*

Beyond wine, the region offers a rich culinary scene, with local produce and gourmet dining complementing the wine experiences.

*Mount Monument Winery. Image: West Melbourne and Beyond.*

The Macedon Ranges wine region is a jewel in Victoria's crown, offering a distinctive and memorable wine journey that highlights the best of Australian cool-climate winemaking.

Regions within regions The Macedon Ranges Wine Region is pretty large and can be broken into smaller areas to make a wine-tasting tour more manageable for first or second time visitors or if you just don't like driving too far between venues. The areas outlined are semi arbitrary so make of it what you will.

Pre-Macedon (Plumpton, Sunbury and Gisborne)
Macedon
Romsey & Lancefield
Kyneton
Heathcote

Pre-Macedon

This is our own specified sub-region (Plumpton, Sunbury and Gisborne) and you are unlikely to find it defined like this anywhere else. I guess what makes this area standout is if you live in the outer western suburbs that wineries in this sub-region are particularly close. For example, to visit Witchmount Estate from Werribee is only 36 minutes drive (see Google maps) or from Footscray is 37 minutes drive (see Google maps).

I guess the downside to visiting this specific area is that it won't really feel like you are getting out into the country until you reach at least Gisborne and the selection is limited until you get to Gisborne. Still if you only want to try just one winery and go to lunch, then say Russo Estate or Witchmount Estate may fit the bill perfectly without having to drive too far away.

Macedon

We'll call this the primary sub-region of the Macedon Ranges Wine Region although truthfully we base this on name recognition only. There are definitely more wineries to the north and north-east of Macedon than Macedon itself.

Still for many weekend and daytrippers they are far more likely to think of Macedon as a travel or holiday destination than Kyneton, Gisborne, Lancefield or Romsey.

Anyway, in Macedon proper there are two wineries to choose from (Mount Towrong Vineyard and Mt. Macedon Winery) and then expanding out a little another three (Hanging Rock Winery, Hesket Estate and Mount Monument Winery).

Mount Towrong Vineyard
Mt. Macedon Winery
Hanging Rock Winery (15 mins drive from Mount Macedon)
Hesket Estate (11 mins drive from Mt. Macedon)
Mount Monument Winery (15 mins drive from Mt. Macedon)
Red Poppy (20 mins drive from Mt. Macedon)

Best Picks: If you are only going to visit one winery in Macedon then our personal recommendation is either Mount Towrong Vineyard or Mount Monument Winery. Both of these have excellent food and equally enticing wine-tasting areas. Mount Monument is more up-market, it's restaurant is like a fine-dining experience and even includes an impressive sculpture park.

Meanwhile Mount Towrong Vineyard has a very cool urban wine-tasting area vibe going, a lovely restaurant and cafe experience and unique Italian varietals that make the wine-tasting a somewhat different experience than your usual wine tasting.

Go rustic: For a more down to earth but equally great experience our pick would be Hanging Rock Winery. This definitely has a different feel but is charming in it's own way and depending on the time of year you visit you will also be able to enjoy 'Art in the Vines'.

Kyneton

While not reknowned as a tourist destination We'd argue that Kyneton may be a better holiday destination than Mount Macedon. Kyneton has quite a few wineries to visit if you make your own wine trail as well as some great tourist spots as well. Our full guide to Kyneton is here but if you want to skip that then two recommended must do's are wandering up and down the fantastic Piper Street and making it to The Cascades.

Kyneton has a number of small wineries to visit as well as the larger Kyneton Ridge Estate. We are gradually making our way around the district and really enjoy the small winery expereince as often you get get to chat to the vineyard owners.

Location

Witchmount Estate Winery & Cellar Door is located at 557 Leakes Rd, Bonnie Brook VIC 3335 between 35-40 minutes from Melbourne CBD.

When

The opening hours aren't easy to identify and the website makes it a bit of a challenge so we'll just let you have a look at their website here.

In A Nutshell

We have only been to the restaurant and will update once we've been to a wine-tasting. However, we believe that the restaurant experience isn't bad but definitely not spectacular. What it does have in it's favour is fair pricing and curiosity value to view Witchmount Estate itself in the flesh. If you've always driven past it's probably worth coming here at least once, preferably when the wine-tasting is open as well (assuming you like wine!).

Nearby Attractions

More attractions in Macedon

If you've enjoyed Witchmount Winery there are plenty of reasons to keep exploring the region. Macedon is just down the road only 27 minutes drive away from Witchmount Winery and has more wineries to visit too! Check out our guide on the great things to do in Macedon.

More Information on Macedon

Nearby Attractions in Kyneton

Kyneton is only a 42 minute drive away from Witchmount Winery and has a number of attractions including more wineries! Plan ahead for your next visit to Central Victoria.

Guide to Kyneton: Check out our guide on some of the great things to do in Kyneton.

The Witchmount website

The Witchmount website is here.

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