What better excuse for a road trip than to choose your favourite sparkling for Christmas Day, directly from Macedon Ranges Cellar Doors?
We have a reason to pop some corks. With two lockdowns under our belt, Victorians well deserve a Christmas toast with some mighty fine local sparkling wine.
And the Macedon Ranges is Victoria’s ultimate sparkling wine destination. As the coldest wine-growing region on the mainland, our conditions are perfect for producing superb bubbles that rival your famous French Champagnes.
Most producers are boutique, family-owned affairs that lovingly produce their sparkling using age-old techniques. It really is all about small-batch, exceptional quality in our neck of the woods.
This Sparkling Cellar Door Guide highlights 13 cellar doors you can visit for tastings and direct sales.
So if the thought of gracing your Christmas table with a selection of seriously good Macedon Ranges bubbles takes your fancy, it’s time to map out your tasting itinerary. Oui oui?
PS. Currently Cellar Doors are encouraging advance bookings to manage visitor numbers.
Botanica Estate
Botanica Estate is a premium grape and wine producer located in Romsey, just a short distance from Hanging Rock. It’s one of the highest and coldest vineyards in Victoria and grows quality Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Gewürztraminer grapes.
The best part about Botanica (other than their amazing sparkling wine) is their sunny deck that beckons you for a drink. Here you can enjoy cheese and saucisson platters with your tasting, overlooking a stunning garden estate bursting with roses, peonies, maples and rare trees. They even produce their own grass-fed Tullus Pollock Wagyu, available at the Cellar Door. In fact, you’ll find their delicious Wagyu Bresaola on their platters – delish!
Tip: Combine a sparkling wine tasting day out at Botanica Estate with a trip to nearby Hesket Estate and Hanging Rock Winery.
1. Sweet treats and garden roses at Botanica Estate. 2. Sparkling on ice beckons at Botanica. 3. Botanica Estate's tasting deck awaits.
Cleveland Winery
Cleveland Winery in Lancefield offers a seriously unique wine tasting experience in an underground cellar, unlike anything else you’d find in in the region. Their Macedon Brut is produced using the Traditional Method of sparkling wine production, plus you’ll also find they stock an astounding selection of local wines in addition to their own.
Tip: Book a table at their Carriage House Restaurant for one of their famous wood-fired pizzas for lunch. The views from their deck overlooking the vineyard and farm are stunning. Cleveland Winery also offer accommodation if you want to really indulge and turn your sparkling wine tasting soiree into a mini-break.
55 Shannons Road, Lancefield, (03) 5429 9000
Weekdays from 11am (upon request) | Weekends from 11am
Combine a sparkling wine tasting at Cleveland Winery Estate with nearby Parkside Winery Estate for the ultimate day out.
Cope-Williams
Cope-Williams Winery’s sparkling Macedon Brut is one of the premiere celebratory sparkling from Australia. It has won 11 Gold Medals over the last 15 years or so and is truly a Macedon Ranges sparkling gem. You may also want to try the Romsey Coniston, a light sparkling red that is great with Christmas lunches.
160 Glenfern Road, Romsey, (03) 5429 5595 Open weekends and public holidays from 10-5pm or by appointment.
Combine a sparkling wine tasting at Cope-Williams Winery with nearby Botanica Estate and Hesket Estate for the ultimate day out.
Cope-Williams Winery Macedon Brut NV
Hanging Rock Winery
Hanging Rock Winery is an absolutely gorgeous drive through the countryside and just as breathtaking when you arrive. With one-of-a-kind views straight to Hanging Rock, this is a cellar door you can’t miss. They have five different sparkling wines to try, plus you get to check out their recently confirmed 2020-2021 Art in the Vines sculpture exhibition. So exciting!
Held from 21 November 2020 to 21 March 2021, this is a free event where you can explore their art trail with a glass of bubbles in hand and sunshine warming your shoulders. There’ll be over 25 amazing sculptures, all crafted by Australia’s leading sculptors.
Stock up on your Christmas bubbles and enjoy this fantastic creative event all at the same time.
Tip: Combine a sparkling wine tasting day out at Hanging Rock Winery with a trip to nearby Botanica Estate and Hesket Estate in Romsey.
Hesket Estate Winery
Hesket Estate Winery is a multi-award winning winery not far from Hanging Rock and offers three delicious sparkling wines to choose from. In fact, their Blanc de Noir 2016 Sparkling received Gold and the Trophy for Best Sparkling at the Macedon Ranges Wine Exhibition in 2019. And their Edwina Sparkling Rosé N.V. is a beautiful drop for Christmas.
PS. Hesket Estate Winery also have a rustic little cottage accommodation known as the ‘Spud Diggers Hut‘ with views to their vineyard.
Tip: Combine a sparkling wine tasting day out at Hesket Estate with a trip to nearby Botanica Estate and Hanging Rock Winery.
Image by Kim Selby Photography
Hunter-Gatherer Winery
Hunter-Gatherer Winery specialise in small-batch, handcrafted wines combined with a relaxed, family-friendly vibe at their cellar door. Their 2019 Prosecco and Sparkling Shiraz are made using the Traditional Method and simply to die for. You’ll love everything you taste at Hunter-Gatherer and may find it a little tricky to choose your favourite.
362 Pipers Creek-Pastoria Road, Pipers Creek, 0407 821 049
Tip: Situated 10 mintues’ drive from Woodend or Kyneton, why not combine your Hunter-Gatherer Winery experience with nearby Kyneton Ridge Estate and Hanging Rock Winery?
Midhill Vineyard
Midhill Vineyard have been growing fine Macedon Ranges wine grapes for almost 30 years. Their Blanc de Blancs have consistently won medals and an occasional trophy at both Daylesford and Macedon Ranges Wine Exhibitions, including a Silver medal for the 2015 Blanc de Blancs at the Macedon Ranges Wine Exhibition in October 2019.
Tip: Combine a sparkling wine tasting day out at Midhill Vineyard with a trip to nearby Botanica Estate and Hesket Estate.
Zig Zag Rd. Winery
Only a short drive from the historic village of Malmsbury, the stunningly beautiful Zig Zag Rd. Winery produces small-scale wine on a regenerative 10-acre vineyard. The young family behind Zig Zag Winery are a lot of fun too, as are their wines. The 2019 Sparkling Shiraz is a winner for Christmas and hot summer days. In their words this drop has notes of love, laughter, questionable 90’s house music and dog-like joy. It’s light, fresh, ‘bitey’ and vibrant – you’ll love it.
Zig Zag Rd. Winery welcomes you to BYO a picnic to enjoy at their cellar door, so you might want to drop by the Malmsbury Bakery or Piper St Food Co. in Kyneton on the way.
Tip: Combine a sparkling wine tasting day out at Zig Zag Rd. Winery with a trip to nearby Kyneton Ridge Estate and Hunter-Gatherer Winery.
Mount Towrong Vineyard
Mount Towrong Vineyard is a small, family-run vineyard situated 600m above sea level with views to both Mt Macedon and Mt Towrong. Their pick for Christmas is a 2019 Vivace, a fresh, dry sparkling that is a co-fermented blend of Chardonnay and Nebbiolo. Salmon pink colour, it is great served with natural oysters.
Their cellar door also serves extremely delicious Italian-style fare that pairs perfectly with Mount Towrong’s Italian wine varietals. And if you happen to be a gin fan, make sure to taste the locally distilled, award-winning gin by Mountain Distilling while you’re there.
Tip: Combine a sparkling wine tasting day out at Mount Towong Vineyard with a trip to nearby Mount Macedon Winery.
Parkside Winery Estate
Parkside Winery Estate’s winery and cellar door are located on the grounds surrounding the historical Parkside homestead built in 1890.
Specialising in Sparkling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, their wines regularly achieve awards at regional and national wine shows. Most recently, their 2013 Chardonnay Pinot Noir Sparkling was awarded a trophy for the Best Sparkling at the 2019 Daylesford Wine Show, following a Silver Medal at the Australia and New Zealand Boutique Wine Show in Sydney in 2018.
Parkside Winery Estate host visitors in their lovingly restored Clydesdale horse stables. And throughout November 2020, they have teamed up with Kyneton’s Monsieur Pierre to offer gourmet lunchboxes and a glass of wine for $30 (by pre-order). So once you’ve chosen your favourite sparkling, sit down on the grass under one of their giant oak trees and enjoy a picnic.
308 Parks Road, Lancefield, 0419 036 581
Weekends 11-4pm (October to April), other times by appointment.
Tip: Combine a sparkling wine tasting day out at Parkside Estate Winery with a trip to nearby Cleveland Estate Winery.
Mount Macedon Winery
Mount Macedon Winery is a hidden gem tucked away down a forest trail on the slopes of Mt Macedon. It is both a farm, restaurant, cellar door and wedding venue. It even has a boutique accommodation offering if you want the full winery experience without having to drive home.
Pre-book lunch on the deck of their restaurant or enjoy an antipasto plate with your wine tasting at their cellar door. And when you’ve finished eating and drinking, soak up the surrounds and take a stroll on the farm. The views, wildlife, food and wine make this a truly zen experience.
You’ll just be hard-pressed to choose between their Estate Grown 2015 Sparkling Cuvee, 2010 Sparkling Pinot Noir or 2017 Sparkling. And did we mention they’ve just launched their own range of Lagers and Pale Ales?
Tip: Combine a sparkling wine tasting day out at Mount Macedon Winery with a trip to nearby Mount Towrong Vineyard.
Kyneton Ridge Estate
Only a short drive from Kyneton village, Kyneton Ridge Estate is a beautiful winery and vineyard nestled right next to Black Hill Reserve. It’s teaming with native wildlife and you’ll certainly see plenty of wild roos when sitting on their sunny deck enjoying a drop of bubbles.
And mighty fine bubbles they are. With seven years on lees, their 2013 Macedon Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay is made in the traditional French method with 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Or maybe their Kyneton Ridge NV Heathcote Sparkling Shiraz is more to your taste, with crimson red notes of raspberry, plum, cinnamon and chocolate.
Kyneton Ridge Estate also have a cafe that serves homestyle cooking, wood-fired pizzas, desserts and light sharing plates.
90 Blackhill School Road, Kyneton, 0408 841 119. Entry to Cellar Door via Hallorans Lane.
Tip: Combine a sparkling wine tasting day out at Kyneton Ridge Estate with a trip to nearby Zig Zag Rd. Winery.
Gisborne Peak Winery
Gisborne Peak Winery is a convenient cellar door to Melbourne and an ideal spot for a wood-fired pizza lunch on their beautiful deck overlooking a small lake and the vineyard.
Their 2017 vintage Sparkling Pinot Noir is perfect for Christmas lunch or dinner. Made from Estate Grown Pinot Noir, the wine has a rich strawberry palate, a big bold mouthfeel and a lingering finish. Perfect with roasts, this is a wine to have with your main course and with really good friends.
PS. Gisborne Peak Winery offers vineyard accommodation ideal for quick winery getaways close to Melbourne.
69 Short Road, Gisborne South, (03) 5428 2228 or 0432 185 009
Design your own custom Macedon Ranges sparkling wine tasting itinerary using the handy Twenty Five Doors app. Or check out our fabulous Sparkling Wine Lovers Trail for a one-day bubbly adventure that takes you from Malmsbury to Pipers Creek, Lancefield and Gisborne.
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