MACEDON RANGES WINE TOUR

Situated at 600 metres above sea level with direct views of Mount Macedon and Mount Towrong, this cool climate vineyard enjoys moderate seasonal rainfall. Terracing the vineyard has allowed us to maximise the use of the gentle slopes and by practising sustainable farming techniques, we have able to harvest high quality grapes with a low yield. Our Vineyard is farmed with the use of organic composts with no pesticides or herbicides used. Winter prunings are mulched back into the mid rows. All vines are cane pruned and grapes are handpicked.

Our story begins in 1982, a time when no-one in Australia was making cool climate, traditional method, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay sparkling wine. John and Ann loved champagne, especially the richer styles of Bollinger and Krug, so they decided this would be the pioneering wine they would pursue.

Following extensive research, they decided to settle on the Macedon Ranges – arguably Australia’s coldest winemaking region. As fate would have it, the perfect block came up for sale; south facing, 650m elevation, steep gradient and beautiful views.

The couple bought the bare block of land, know as ‘Jim Jim’ and got to work!

Lyons Will Estate is a family operation. Oliver and Renata craft their wines together and everything is done by hand, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and traditional wine making techniques. Their ethos is simple: ‘look after the vines and the vines will look after the wine’. Good grapes coupled with a minimalist winemaking approach results in a good honest wine with a great acid balance and a clean linear finish.

The Wine Collective is situated in a natural bush setting with views across to Melbourne. Our balcony is the perfect place for that special photo and a glass of wine in the warmer months. Fireplaces warm you in winter. Our aim is to provide an amazing experience for our customers. We aim to create a memorable experience through a partnership of wine, food and views.

The Macedon Ranges is the coldest wine growing area on mainland Australia.

It’s also one of the smallest wine regions in Australia, producing less than 1,000 tonnes of fruit per annum.

Approximately 70% of the region is Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. These 3 varieties are some of the most elusive, enjoying and challenging varieties for winemakers to grow and make.

The majority of vineyards in Macedon are high elevation, averaging 600m+.

Macedon has a good reliable rainfall.

Our story is short so far, having started the label in 2015. We prefer to let the wines do the talking anyways.

The focus is to always produce wines that are honest, interesting and with soul. We believe a lo-fi approach to both our winemaking and viticultural practices enables us to achieve this goal.

In 2019 we picked up the keys to our new home in Kyneton, the old timber yard of the Turner Bros. Hardware precinct in the centre of town. A gorgeous place steeped in history that blurs the lines between urban winery, cellar door, neighbourhood wine bar and beer garden.

We scrambled together enough equipment and barrels and produced all our 2019 wines here – free to express and experiment, there’s some exciting wines coming through now.

Handcrafted by Macedon Ranges based winemaker Brian Martin, the Hunter-Gatherer range of wines encompass ideals of a faithful expression of terroir. While he taps into his experience of sound technical winemaking techniques, the process remains largely “hands-off” to let the characteristics of the fruit shine.

​The signature Hunter-Gatherer range includes Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay, Riesling, Chardonnay, Rose, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Sangiovese and Sparkling Shiraz.

​Grapes are sourced predominantly from the Hunter-Gatherer vineyard which was purchased by Brian and his wife Roslyn in 2015 and contains a 5-hectare planting of 20+-year-old Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and Merlot.

However, as the name suggests, Brian is known to “Hunt & Gather” exceptional fruit from reputable neighbouring producers to showcase varietals that thrive in other corners of the Macedon Ranges and Heathcote wine regions.