Address: 85 McAdams Ln, Bellarine
Website: www.jackrabbitvineyard.com.au
Phone: 03 5251 2223
Review by: Jack Rabbit Vineyard
Unrivalled views across the bay to Geelong, the You Yangs and Melbourne. A rich, diverse stable of sophisticated cool climate wines. Contemporary al a carte dining. An intimate coastal ambience.
The ultimate Bellarine experience awaits. . .
At Jack Rabbit Vineyard we have two amazing venues that
you can choose from, both great, both with incredible views and atmosphere.
What will your Jack Rabbit experience be?
With commanding views, a majestic deck and stunning interior, the Jack Rabbit Restaurant is a must do gastromic experience of The Bellarine. Savour the seasonal al a carte menu and service.
Address: 145 Coatsworth Rd, Portarlington
Website: www.grassypointwines.com.au/
Phone: 0409 429 608 / 03 5251 3969 (ah)
Review by: Grassy Point Wines
Grapes are all estate grown, hand picked and deliberately low yielding, giving intense flavours, good tannin structure and cellaring potential.
Wines under the Grassy Point label have met with rapid success and we have won over 12 wine show medals. This culminated with a 4 star entry In James Halliday's Wine Companion 2006.
In the Wine Companion 2009, Grassy Point Wines were given 5 stars and listed as one of the best wineries in the rapidly growing Geelong Region.
Our most successful wines have been pinot noir, chardonnay and shiraz, and sauvignon blanc which rapidly sells out.
Grapes varieties most suited to this cool-climate region were planted. Initial plantings included pinot noir, chardonnay, cabernet franc, malbec and merlot. Shiraz and sauvignon blanc were planted in the following years. Trellising runs north-south and is set up for Scott Henry or VSP. Plantings are on raised and/or mulched beds with vines on
3 X 1.6 metres.
Ecologically sustainable farming principles are foremost in the planning and practice of Grassy Point Wines. The property has ample water storage where many varieties of wading, migratory and water birds are to be found. The water supply is secure due to the connection of recycled water from the Portarlington Re-use Facility. Chemical usage is kept to a minimum. Extensive plantings of indigenous trees have been established to provide shelter to the vineyard and grazing livestock.
Wine grape growing on Coatsworth Farm is complemented with South Devon beef cattle.
Address: 2270 Portarlington Rd, Bellarine
Website: www.bellarineestate.com.au/
Phone: 03 5259 3310
Review by: Bellarine Estate Winery & Brewery
We visited on our wedding anniversary for lunch and had the pulled pork, duck and a bottle of the two wives Shiraz. A beautiful meal that was perfect for the occasion.
My Husband and I dropped in for lunch today. Both the service and food were excellent, can't wait to go back.
On behalf of our members I am writing to express our appreciation for allowing us to hold our event in your lovely venue at Bellarine Estate Winery. It was such a memorable day and so well organised, from start to finish. - Alfred Hospital Nurses League
Address: 600 Banks Rd, Marcus Hill
Website: www.banksroad.com.au/
Phone: 03 5258 3777
Review by: Banks Road Vineyard
Banks Road Vineyard is a small family run winery and vineyard on the Bellarine Penninsula. Established by William & Avanelle Derham in 2002, we have approximately 13.5 acres of vines here at Banks Road. We grow Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc & Shiraz varieties. Our Banks Road range are now produced predominatly from our own vineyards but we continue to work closely with our growers and have created two new labels to enable us to continue to work together.
Our wines are best enjoyed with food & friends.
All wines are made on site in our small hands on facility. We also make wine for some of the other vineyards in our area. We are very passionate about our wine and enjoy the closeness to our produce that being a small winery gives us.
From bud burst in the spring to bottling the wine, sometimes years later, we see each vintage evolve.
Our wines have received many accolades at shows and in reviews by wine writers.
Address: 870 Steiglitz Rd, Sutherlands Creek
Website: www.austinsandco.com.au/
Phone: 03 5281 1799
Review by: Austins
From the heart of Victoria's Moorabool Valley wine region to the tables of the most contemporary restaurants and dining rooms the world over.
A blend of cool climate elegance meets warm family atmosphere.
For more than thirty-years, our bold venture has crafted Pinot Noir for the people, and Riesling, Chardonnay and Shiraz to be seriously shared.
Which is why the Co. in Austins & Co. affectionately stands for the Company we love to keep – our circle of friends, family and followers – and the quality Conversations sparked by a glass or two of Austins & Co.
You could say we've a real taste for longing and belonging.
Step into the world of an Australian original. You're very welcome.
Address: 760 Burnside Rd, Murgheboluc
Website: www.spencewines.com.au/
Phone: 03 5265 1181
Review by: Spence
It was an extended holiday touring around Europe many years ago that provided the inspiration for Anne and Peter Spence to grow grapes and make wine. After a 3 year search, a suitable site was found, and in 1997 the vineyard was established. Spence Wines aims to make wine of the highest possible quality. We only use our own fruit from our own vineyard, to ensure we get the best quality grapes. These are wines that reflect the site they are grown on. They are made in small quantities, have limited availability and are amongst the best from the region. To ensure the wines are properly developed, they are released with some bottle age and are suited to cellaring. Pls enjoy the website and learn a little more about Spence Wines.
Address: K Rd, Werribee
Website: www.shadowfax.com.au/
Phone: 03 9731 4420
Review by: Shadowfax
Established in 1998, Shadowfax is a boutique winery located 30 minutes from Melbourne, in the heart of Werribee Park. Dedicated to creating quality, handcrafted wines that express the characteristics of the vineyards in which they were grown, Shadowfax produces 11,000 cases of premium wines each year. Renowned varieties include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz as well as a selection of highly limited, single-vineyard wines.
Shadowfax's winemaker, Matt Harrop has a strong focus on regionality with the majority of fruit sourced and hand-harvested from vineyards from the vineyard at Werribee and small growers in the Adelaide Hills, Macedon and Geelong. Each and every vineyard has its own distinct characteristics and produces grapes of only the highest quality.
Contemporary in design and function, Shadowfax's unique architecture reflects an attempt to create a harmony between the winery and its natural surroundings. Shadowfax's rusted sheet metal exterior, and its terra cotta interior, evoke the best of our Australian wine heritage. Yet the Winery is a state-of-the art development, and none of the meticulous processes that are required for the making of fine wines have been overlooked.
Address: 37 Spiller Rd, Lethbridge
Website: www.mooraboolvalley.com.au/ridge
Phone: 03 5281 9240
Review by: Moorabool Ridge
Deep in the Valley perched on the edge of the Moorabool River is a shepherd's cottage built in 1856. This historic building is now home to Moorabool Ridge's tasting room. The cottage is full of the delights of the vineyard, olive grove and farm. Shelves are stacked with gourmet jams, pickles, relishes and olive oil, all produced on the farm.
Fine wine, cheese platters and foccaccias can be enjoyed in the wonderful succulent garden whilst watching the Moorabool River slowly slide by or order beautiful freshly baked cakes and coffee from the shade of the verandah.
A place of peace and tranquility, Moorabool Ridge is truly a special place to linger
Address: 74 Burrows Rd, Lethbridge
Website: www.lethbridgewines.com/
Phone: 03 5281 7279
Review by: Lethbridge Wines
Have you ever sat around enjoying a drink with your friends and imagined 'What if we could.....??'.
This is how our story began:
Lethbridge Wines grew from a friendship between Ray Nadeson, Maree Collis and Adrian Thomas. Back in the mid 1990's we were busy establishing careers in science and medicine and shared a love of great wine which ultimately became quite an obsession. The afternoons sipping Burgundies were replaced by weekends searching for the perfect vineyard site and then by afternoons digging holes and planting vines. For two of us (Maree and Ray) the passion for wine drove us to a tree change, and in 2003 after 7 years of balancing careers in science and running a vineyard and winery, we made Lethbridge Wines our reison d'etre.
Our aim is to produce natural, savory wines that focus on balance and texture with a real sense of place or terroir.
Maree Collis and Ray Nadeson are not your average winemakers of a boutique winery. Both were initially trained as research scientists and hold PhD degrees in chemistry and medicine, respectively. While combining their scientific careers with winemaking, Maree and Ray completed the winemaking degree at Charles Sturt University. Ray states, "winemaking is not really that different to science, both are creative and both involve 99% perspiration, 1% inspiration".
Not surprisingly, the site at Lethbridge was selected based on scientific principles such as soil type, degree days and other climatic indicators, yet when the three partners first explored the property they discovered an ancient old wooden fermentation vat in one of the old sheds. Discussion with the previous owner (Ivor Perdrisat) revealed that his family, Swiss in origin, had planted a vineyard on the exact site back in the 1870's before the discovery of phylloxera in the region. The old wine vat has been reincarnated as a beautiful timber tasting bench in the cellar door. This story is compelling in the connection between traditional wisdom and modern science.
Address: 310 Russells Bridge Rd, Russells Bridge
Website: www.wildwine.com.au/
Phone: 03 5281 2040
Review by: Eagles Rise
Welcome to Eagles Rise vineyard and Wild Wine. From our spectacular site perched above the Moorabool River valley near Bannockburn, Geelong, we make a range of commercial and wild ferment wines from our 20 acre vineyard. These are made on site from a single vineyard and almost all done (from planting, maintaining, winemaking, marketing and sales) by a single person, right down to the hand ratchet vintage basket press. Using the natural indigenous yeasts that support our pursuit of sustainable viticulture, plus traditional low intervention winemaking we over-deliver some of the best value exclusive hand-made cool climate wines available. We also stock Eagles Rise embossed professional wine tasting glasses, a large selection of locally made 'Olds Cool' boiled lollies, real local Coffee Snobs coffee, and gift hampers. All available from our beautifully restored 1880′s Sunday schoolhouse, just 11 minutes off the Geelong Ring Road.
Address: 2290 Ballan Rd, Anakie
website: www.delrios.com.au/
Phone: 03 5284 1227
Review by: Del Rios
The Del Rios vineyard and winery is located on the western slopes of the ancient volcano of Mt Anakie in the Geelong region of Victoria, Australia and offers distinctive premium cool climate wines. It is located near the small township of Anakie in the foothills of the scenic Brisbane Ranges National Park which offers numerous natural attractions and walking tracks.
We believe that great wines are produced from the best quality grapes. Thus, the wines are hand pruned and trained, the fruit is hand picked and the wines are handcrafted solely from estate grown fruit.
German del Rio was born in 1920 in San Cristobal de Valdueza, in the northern mountainous region of Spain, near the border with Portugal. The family had blocks of vines grown on the steep slopes below the village. German migrated to Australia, and three generations have since shared in the Australian experience.
Gus and Esther del Rio with their 3 sons Andres, Joshua and Marcus purchased the property in 1994 and the first vines were planted in 1996. 18 hectares are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Marsanne.
In 2004, the fully equipped winery was built on site, which includes a bottling and labeling line. The fruit is handpicked and whole bunch pressed for the white wines. Later the wine is quality assessed and the best premium wine is allocated to the del Rios label or to our second range called Mayhem@Anakie and then to the 3D wine range. French oak barrels are used exclusively. We can comfortably process over 150 tonnes and have tank space to hold this. The large range of small tanks allows individual parcels of wines to be processed and kept separate.
There are seven different varieties Sauvignon Blanc, Marsanne, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Merlot planted on the 35 acres under vines. The warmer and well-drained lower blocks allow us to control vigour and consistently ripen our cabernet sauvignon.
Anakie area has a continental climate and has a low rainfall being in the rain shadow of the Brisbane The climate helps to provide prolonged ripening conditions, resulting in low disease pressure and allows control of the canopy through drip irrigation. Special care is given to vine trellising and canopy management so as to maximize the fruit quality for each vintage.
