The cool-climate Macedon Ranges wine region offers indulgent wine experiences aplenty – not knowing where to start is your only constraint.
In just one visit, you can taste an array of flourishing varieties from star wineries, experience astonishing views from the highest points of the region, understand the diversity of flavours at Budburst Festival, and discover plenty more.
Below, Halliday Wine Companion share three friendly cellar doors of standout quality, to help you get started.
Lyons Will Estate
This family-operated estate cherishes the varieties that thrive with ease in the region, with a honourable focus on pinot noir, chardonnay, gamay, and riesling. A winery with strong family ties, and also European roots, expect to feel instantly part of the family as you enter their friendly cellar door. Oliver and Renata craft all of the wines by hand, with utmost respect to sustainable and ethical practices, so you can transparently relish in the fruits of their labour. Their simple ethos, that the more time they spend nurturing the plants the better the produce, means their wines present in an honest manner, with fantastic balance and impeccable finishes. Considered a must-visit wine destination of the Macedon Ranges, the uncomplicated and unassuming atmosphere that encompasses the cellar door ensures a fulfilling experience. Enjoy premier cheese platters and delectable charcuterie boards in their intimate courtyard, companied by the winery’s finest drops from an array of varieties and styles. Let the delicate pinot vines decorate your surrounds, while welcome conversation between the winemakers and yourself creates closer ties with the wines you taste. Lyons Will Estate offer an intimate and personal experience, where guests are comforted by their memorable offerings.
Perfect for: Tasting the flourishing varieties of the region, while enjoying handmade and sustainably-crafted wines. Open by appointment or on the fourth weekend of each month from 11am to 5pm.
On pour: Pinot noir, gamay, chardonnay, riesling.
lyonswillestate.com.au | 60 Whalans Track, Lancefield | 0412 681 940
Hanging Rock Winery
Distinctive wines are what Hanging Rock Winery pride most. Since 1983, the Ellis family have worked hard to achieve their dream of producing Australia’s finest sparkling wines. And that they have, today crafting eloquent sparkling styles recognised globally for their excellence – not to mention producing other profound wines that are equally impressive. They wear the crown as being the largest winery in the Macedon Ranges, featuring the most comprehensive range, and all within at their humble and laid-back atmosphere. Expect a family-friendly experience when residing in their cellar door, where gourmet picnic boxes and cheeseboards can cater your time relaxing on the deck or lawn. Take in the iconic backdrop of the vineyard, while you savour the tastes of the exact land you’re situated on, and be sure to try an array of the wines on pour – they’re all delicious. Hanging Rock Winery can be enjoyed at any time of year, although a visit between October and February means you can also experience 'Art in the Vines' – an outdoor sculpture exhibition featuring the works of renowned local, national, and international artists.
Perfect for: Sipping on the finest Australian sparkling wines, while enjoying premier foods that are local to the region. Open Monday to Sunday (excluding Good Friday and Christmas) from 10am to 5pm.
On pour: Chardonnay, cabernet merlot, cabernet sauvignon, pinot gris, pinot noir, riesling, sauvignon blanc, sauvignon blanc semillon, shiraz, sparkling wines.
hangingrock.com.au | 88 Jim Rd, Newham | 03 5427 0542
Granite Hills
Take a journey to the north-eastern tip of the Macedon Ranges, where the widely acknowledged Granite Hills winery awaits your arrival. Perched atop the spectacular boulder strewn hills of the Great Dividing Range, enjoy the astonishing views only Granite Hills can offer, while tasting their highly-awarded wines across a range of styles. Boasting 500 awards in competitions across Australia and Internationally, Granite Hills have been crafting premier wines since 1970 and today lead the way in viticulture and winemaking. Taste the standout wines at their warm and welcoming cellar door, and be sure to delve into their new varieties on the vineyards; pinot blanc, gruner veltliner, gamay noir, and the benchmark peppery shiraz to name a few. Guests are welcome to learn more about the wines before them with guided wine tours and tastings, led by winemaker and owner himself, Llew Knight. A place where exclusive views of the Macedon Ranges can be enjoyed while indulging in the elegant tastes of the region, Granite Hills winery cannot be missed.
Perfect for: Taking in breathtaking views of the Macedon Ranges, while learning from winemaker Llew Knight himself. Open Monday to Sunday from 11am to 5pm.
On pour: Riesling, pinot blanc, gruner veltliner, late harvest riesling, pinot noir, tempranillo, gamay noir, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, merlot.
granitehills.com.au | 1481 Burke and Wills Track, Baynton | 03 5423 7273
Find everything you need to know about the Macedon Ranges in our essential guide.
This article was produced by Halliday Wine Companion in partnership with Lyons Will Estate, Hanging Rock Winery, and Granite Hills.
