Local Wineries
Our local wineries are driven by a passion for quality and sustainability, with a focus on thoughtful farming and minimal intervention where it matters. It’s an approach that aligns naturally with how we prepare our food—resulting in wines that complement our cuisine beautifully.
A family-owned Macedon Ranges winery crafting cool-climate Italian varietals that honour the local landscape and their Italian heritage.
Bindi’s exceptional winemaker crafts wines with balance and purity, while honouring and preserving the natural harmony of the land.
A small family-run vineyard with a simple philosophy: make great wines. “Wilimee Moor-ing” means “Place of Stone Axe,” honouring the rich history of the land.
When farming and science go hand in hand, great wine begins in the vineyard — where careful viticulture meets thoughtful winemaking.
This family-owned vineyard crafts expressive, single-vineyard wines from Woodend and Mount Charlie — each site offering its own distinct character and sense of place. Their wines feel honest and unforced — balanced, detailed, and quietly complex. Every sip reveals something a little more, making each glass a genuine delight.
Hesket Estate, established in the 1980s, is a family-run winery producing estate-grown wines from their renovated shearing shed. Their small-batch range crafted to suit every palate. Their on-site accommodation lets visitors fully enjoy the Macedon Ranges experience
A small family-run wine project built on patience, craftsmanship, and a belief that quality speaks for itself. There are no grand claims or flashy marketing campaigns here — just thoughtful winemaking, honest hard work, and wines that tell their own story. At Thirty 8, they let their workmanship speak for their capability, creating wines that are made to be shared with friends, family, and good conversation.
The Quiet Hands Behind Great Wine: Simon Glover
Some people make wine.
Others make it possible.
If you spend enough time around the vineyards of the Macedon Ranges, you’ll start to hear a name that doesn’t appear on labels—but is spoken with a kind of quiet respect: Simon Glover.
Not a winemaker. Not a marketer.
Something far more essential.
Back in 1986, Simon planted his own roots—literally—establishing a vineyard at Springhill. Like many in the industry, it began with a vision: land, vines, and the long game of patience that wine demands. But behind that vision was something even more practical—hard work, adaptability, and a willingness to do what others couldn’t.
To support the vineyard, Simon began contracting across the Macedon Ranges. At the time, many smaller vineyards faced a simple but critical problem: they needed skilled hands and the right equipment, but couldn’t justify the cost of owning it.
Simon became the solution.
What started as support work quickly turned into something more. He built a reputation—not through noise, but through consistency. The kind of person who shows up, gets it done, and understands the land as much as the people working it.
As demand grew, Simon made a defining decision. He sold his own Springhill property and focused entirely on what he had become known for: managing and caring for small vineyards that would otherwise struggle to keep up.
It’s not glamorous work. It doesn’t come with awards or headlines.
But it is the backbone of an entire region.
The Macedon Ranges is not an easy place to grow grapes. Cool climate, shifting conditions, and diverse soil profiles mean every vineyard is its own puzzle. But it’s exactly these challenges that have turned the region into one of Australia’s most exciting sources for varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir—both for still and sparkling wines.
And behind many of those vineyards? Simon.
Adapting to climate shifts.
Understanding each block of land.
Keeping vines healthy season after season.
Ask Simon about the future, and he won’t talk about himself. He talks about the next generation.
There’s a quiet optimism in the region right now—young winemakers experimenting, refining their styles, and introducing new varieties. A sense that Macedon Ranges is still evolving, still finding new expressions.
And while their names may be the ones on the bottles, there’s often someone behind the scenes helping make it all possible.
Not all heroes are in the spotlight.
Some are out in the vineyard before sunrise, long before the first glass is poured.
Simon Glover is one of them.
Big Ideas, Real Impact.
Behind every bottle we pour, there’s more than just wine.
There’s a person. A place. A story that quietly shapes what ends up in your glass.
At our restaurant, the wines we choose aren’t just about flavour—they’re about the people behind them. The early mornings, the risks taken, the ideas that didn’t always make sense at the time… but somehow changed everything.
There’s something truly special about our visits to Mount Towrong Vineyard. Every time we arrive, we’re welcomed with genuine warmth and generosity—it’s the kind of place where you feel looked after, not just as guests, but as part of a shared passion for wine.
Spending time with George has been particularly inspiring. Our conversations have gone far beyond the vineyard—touching on philosophy, purpose, and the quiet dedication it takes to follow a path less travelled. We once asked him what his favourite part of the winemaking process is, and why. His answer was simple yet profound: the journey of growing grapes and transforming them into wine is an incredible natural process—and being able to then share and enjoy that wine with family and friends is what makes it all so satisfying.
It’s these meaningful exchanges, paired with wines made with integrity and care, that make Mount Towrong a place we return to time and time again.
Vermentino
An ideal choice for fans of Pinot Gris. A light Sardinian white with honeydew, lemon zest, and a mineral backbone. Bright grapefruit and nectar
🎶 “Wise men say… only fools rush in” 🎶
Great wines — like great people, take their time.
We still remember the first time we reached out to Michael and Wendy at Bindi. We were simply hoping for a chance to visit their vineyard… and what we received in return was warmth, generosity, and a genuine welcome that stayed with us.
Bindi is a name that carries weight — well known, deeply respected. But what stayed with us most wasn’t the reputation — it was the humility. Michael and Wendy are just so humble, so real.
Sometimes we wonder (and have a laugh to ourselves)… maybe we did something right to impress them, to be trusted to share their wines at our restaurant.
To us, Michael’s winemaking is something very special.
It opens your eyes, challenges your thinking, and invites you to slow down.
We’d like to think he’s a pioneer of a new wave in winemaking — one that speaks from the heart.
We once asked him:
“If you had to describe your winemaking style as a personality, who would it be?”
His answer?
“Definitely Elvis. From the heart, entertaining with flamboyance. Durable, affectionately appreciated.”
And honestly… that feels just right. 🎶 “A little less conversation, a little more action…” 🎶
Sometimes, the best way to understand is simple — taste the wines, and let his work speak for itself.
DHILLON Riesling
This dry Riesling from the northern Macedon Ranges is vibrant yet complex, with aromas of grapefruit, guava, lime, and wet stone. Lightly textured with a clean, chalky finish, it’s perfectly balanced and not sweet, a refreshing choice for those who enjoy a crisp, dry style.
There are people you meet along the way who change how you see things—and Hesket Estate is one of them for us.
When we first met Elisabeth and Alex, the way they welcomed us was with open arms. It didn’t feel like a first meeting at all—we felt like we were sitting down with long-time friends, the kind you don’t need to explain yourself to.
Like many of the winemakers we admire, they’re not driven by money. Their focus is on people, on community, on lifting others around them. They saw us, really saw us, and were the first to suggest a collaboration. We were flattered… and, to be honest, a little hesitant the first time.
But they had a vision. And more importantly, they followed through. The trust they placed in us—and the way they kept encouraging us forward—meant more than we can properly put into words. Alex and Elisabeth have always spoken in the love language of affirmation: encouraging, uplifting, and quietly backing the people around them.
And now, seeing their beautiful daughters stepping into winemaking—it feels like something coming full circle. No doubt they’ve inherited their parents’ passion, and it shows in the wines they’re creating—thoughtful, expressive, and full of heart.
Grateful to know them, and even more grateful to walk a small part of this journey alongside them.
Hollow Tree Sangiovese
Italian Red – Medium-bodied, bursting with cherries and redcurrants, with a touch of spice, cocoa, and vanilla. Perfect for sharing over a family feast.
They say third time’s a charm — and at Cold Acre, it truly feels that way.
Pat and Shel are the third couple to take the reins of this vineyard. You might have heard the whispers — the idea that the place was somehow “cursed,” that things just never quite worked out for those before them. We don’t buy into that. What we see instead is something much more grounded, and far more powerful: passion, care, and a genuine connection to the land.
And it shows. Not just in the wines, but in the energy of the place — it feels alive, evolving, and quietly gaining momentum with each season.
What resonates most is their philosophy. It didn’t begin with owning land or chasing a romantic ideal. It started with the craft itself — making wine, hands-on, learning, experimenting. Like many, they began by sourcing fruit and working with leased vineyards. But over time, something shifted. They realised that the true character of wine isn’t just made in the barrel — it’s grown in the soil, shaped by the vineyard, and guided by the people who tend it.
So they went all in. Becoming vignerons wasn’t just a step forward — it was a commitment. To the land, to the seasons, and to the unpredictability that comes with both. Because every vintage tells a different story, and their role is not to control it, but to listen, respond, and bring out the best of what each year offers.
And that’s what makes Cold Acre feel different now. Not lucky. Not charmed. Just deeply cared for.
Chardonnay
A new-style Macedon Ranges Chardonnay, crafted with careful oak integration for a balanced, elegant, and very pleasant drinking experience
There are some people you meet along the way who quietly leave a lasting impression—and for us, the owners of Farmer and the Scientist Winery are exactly that.
We feel incredibly lucky to know them. Not just because of what they do, but because of who they are. Their winery is a little further away from us, so we don’t get to catch up as often as we’d like. But maybe that distance makes the moments we do share even more meaningful. Every time we reconnect, we walk away having learned something new—about their journey, their values, and the life they’ve built. And every time, it’s genuinely touching.
On one visit, we found ourselves asking about the story behind their wine labels. Like everything they do, the answer wasn’t just creative—it was deeply personal.
They told us about Hercules, their favourite rooster. Jess, as it turns out, isn’t much of a morning person, and Hercules—unlike most roosters—never made a sound to wake her up. That quiet, considerate presence made him special, and over time, he became a symbol of their life on the land.
When it came time to design their label, Hercules naturally became the face of the “farmer” side of their story. Paired with a coat representing the “scientist,” the label beautifully brings together both halves of their identity. It’s thoughtful, meaningful, and just so clever.
It’s these little stories—honest, personal, and full of heart—that make what they do so inspiring. Not just the wine, but the people behind it.
And every time we hear another piece of their story, we’re reminded why we admire them so much.
Sauvignon Blanc
Gently pressed and cool-fermented with selected yeasts, preserving a touch of natural sweetness. Matured on fine lees in stainless steel, it delivers a fresh, vibrant and beautifully clean finish. And if you’re a Pinot Gris lover who enjoys texture and character, you’ll feel right at home with this glass.
thirty 8
One of the most wonderful things in life is when one person changes the course of another's journey without even realising it.
A chance opportunity, a word of encouragement, a mentor willing to share their knowledge — these small moments can uncover talents and passions that may have otherwise remained hidden. They help people discover capabilities within themselves they never knew existed.
The story of Thirty 8 is a beautiful example of exactly that — how a single opportunity, embraced with curiosity and hard work, can lead to an entirely unexpected passion and a new chapter in life.
Caz and Iain are a remarkable couple who have spent a lifetime contributing to their community and building a wonderful life together. Iain worked as a carpenter and after Caz’s 35 years of dedicated service at Williamsons Foodworks, she has established her own successful bookkeeping business, where she continues to support local businesses with the same warmth, reliability, and commitment.
Together, they raised three outstanding sons — Nathan, a doctor, Jeremy, a landscaper, and Dylan, who is soon to qualify as a diesel mechanic.
Their wine journey began in 2013 when Iain started working at Bindi, initially renovating the winery and family home. What began with hammer and nails soon grew into a passion for vines and winemaking, as Iain moved into vineyard management and worked alongside Michael Dhillon in the winery.
Inspired by this new chapter, the family decided to make their own wine in 2016, sourcing Shiraz from the beautifully cared-for Col Mountain vineyard in Heathcote. Originally made for family and friends, their wines quickly became something worth sharing.
Today, they continue to pour their hearts into every bottle. They have planted Pinot Noir at their home in Bullengarook and have also crafted Grenache Rosé and Cabernet blends from the Macedon Ranges.
The name Thirty 8 is simple and deeply personal — it’s the number of their property. The sketch on the label is their family home, built by Iain in the early 2000s, a place they are incredibly proud of and one that reflects the same values found in their wines: hard work, dedication, family, and craftsmanship.
2023 COL MOUNTAIN SHIRAZ
This 2023 Col Mountain Shiraz offers a more refined expression of Heathcote. Smooth, elegant and full of character, it showcases vibrant fruit, silky texture and gentle savoury complexity. With enough body to hold its own alongside flavourful dishes, yet without the heaviness or spice often associated with traditional Heathcote Shiraz, it is an exceptionally versatile wine and a natural companion to Asian cuisine.
Shiraz
This Shiraz captures the region’s vibrant fruit and natural richness with refined elegance. Carefully crafted for balance and harmony, enhancing our bold, savoury flavours with every sip.