Macedon Ranges food & wine daytour

HIGHLIGHTS

• Granite Hills
• Cobaw Ridge Winery
• Hanging Rock Cafe
• Hanging Rock Vineyard
• Curly Flat Winery

After departing at 9.30am you'd travel out to the family owned and operated Granite Hills Winery at Baynton. The oldest operating vineyard in the region, their vines date back to 1970. The Riesling, Shiraz and sparkling in particular are highly sought after although their second range of wines also provide some excellent value and choice. Cheese & biscuits would accompany the tastings that would be hosted by the owner and winemaker, Llew Knight or his effervescent wife Andrea.

A short drive away and tucked away in a corner of the State Forest is the Cobaw Ridge Winery. This is one of the most idyllic settings in the district. The harshness of the surrounding countryside, covered with granite boulders belies the superb wines that are produced here. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz-Viognier and an Italian varietal Lagrein are all made from estate grown fruit. Enjoy an audience with the owners, Alan & Nelly Cooper.

Nearby is the imposing Hanging Rock which rises more than 300 feet. It was formed six million years ago when a particularly stiff type of lava formed a rounded pile of layers on the surface as it was squeezed through a narrow vent in the earth. Since its formation, the mamelon has been exposed to considerable weathering and erosion, resulting in the unusual rock formations that can now be seen on the site. Hanging Rock is also well known from the novel by Joan Lindsay, Picnic at Hanging Rock and the film made of the story – about the mysterious disappearance of a group of local schoolgirls during a picnic at the Rock in 1900. After enjoying the alfresco style lunch at the Hanging Rock Café, it's off to the Hanging Rock Winery at Newham. One of the highest elevated vineyards in the district, there's superb views across to the Rock as well as Mt Macedon. The region's largest producer, they source estate grown fruit as well as grapes from numerous regions and with that selection offer something for most tastes. Their flagship wine is the sparkling Macedon.

The day concludes with a visit to the Curly Flat Vineyard in Lancefield. Situated 550 metres above sea level, Curly Flat is a small family operation dedicated to nurturing the best possible fruit from the superb terroir and turning that fruit into the highest quality Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio it is possible to produce.

TOUR PRICING

Package

$180 per person (applies from 1/4/12 to 31/3/13).

Includes

Deluxe transport, tastings at nominated wineries, cheese and biscuits at Granite Hills Winery, main course a la carte lunch with glass of wine and coffee at Hanging Rock Cafe, bottled water, guide and GST.

Group Tours

For groups of all sizes, a similar day can be arranged. As a guide, the cost would be $110 per person based on a group of 40 (applies from 1/4/11 to 31/3/12). Costs for smaller groups available on application.

Tours are available on a daily basis with a minimum of 2 people. Private tours can be arranged, price on application.