 |
Macedon Ranges Wine RegionThis wine region is just to the north of Melbourne. It is not as well known as other regions in the Port Phillip Zone such as the Yarra Valley and the Mornington Peninsula but the Macedon Ranges wine region is well worth a wine tour. The major geographic feature is Mount Macedon which rises just on 1000m. Towns in the Macedon Ranges GI include Lancefield and Romsey to the East; Gisborne, Woodend, Kyneton, Malmsbury and Taradale along the Calder Highway which bisects the region, and Daylesford to the West. The altitude of the vineyards In the Macedon Ranges varies between 300-700m. Thus some of the coolest vineyards on mainland Australia are in this region. There are however marked variations in the microclimate, with the northern sections of the region being quite warmer than the southern higher sites. The renowned Shiraz regions of Heathcote and Bendigo are immediately to the north. With the cool climate it is no surprise that Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are grown here for sparkling wine. Among alternative varieties Gewurztraminer is the most popular. Quite a few wineries have started to use Pinot gris. Alan Cooper at Cobaw Ridge has had great success with the Italian red variety Lagrein. The region is easily visited as a day trip from Melbourne, but there are many dining and accommodation options in the towns of the region which have well developed tourist facilities based on the historic buildings and antique shops.Some Macedon Ranges Wineries using alternative varieties
Each year the regions' show off their wines at the annual Macedon Ranges Budburst Festival
|
