Exploring Wine Country Victoria

We are currently on the road researching for the Exploring Wine Country Victorian edition. (Released late 2013)

The Heathcote wine region is complete and here are some of our favourite Heathcote businesses:

 

Heathcote

A typical rural wine region where you'll see sheep grazing, rolling hills with granite outcrops and pockets of vineyards. There are no large expanses of vines, no fancy cellar doors and no enormously automated wineries here. Just small wineries growing grapes, making quality wine using a skillful blend of traditional and modern approaches and offering honest country hospitality.

 

Est: 1992  

Munari Wines is situated on the famous Cambrian Greenstone red soil in the foothills of the Mt Ida Range. The award-winning winery is completely dedicated to producing the best grapes and therefore the best wine that reflects the uniqueness of the area’s ‘terroir'.

Location

1129 Northern Highway, Heathcote

 

Telephone

03 5433 3366

Web

www.munariwines.com.au

Winemaker

Adrian Munari

Wine Prices

$25 - $110

Brands

Munari

Wine Styles

Red table wines and fortified wines

Size

Small winery with wines made on site.

Pay By

Cash, MasterCard, Visa

Open Hours

11am - 5pm, 7 days. Closed Christmas eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day

Varieties: 

R: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot

Specialties

Full-bodied fruit driven wines with elegance and personality. Munari also always have a specially selected white wine on tasting. They also make “The Black Lady’ which is a premium wine made from shiraz grapes sourced in the Barossa Valley (South Australia) as well as Heathcote.

History note

Munari is located on the old Morris property, one of Heathcote’s oldest sheep properties. The shearing shed (now the winery) was built in the 1890’s and the former stables are now home to the cellar door.

Tasting Charge

Free, for groups over 20 there is a small charge of $4 per person

Features

Munari features a mix of rustic and modern features. The property has some magnificent oaks, elms and a beautiful specimen of the Araucaria Bidwillii.  Cellar door visitors are able to envisage an old working farm now under vines and they are able to tour the winery and see how a small wine is produced..

Facilities

Adequate parking, bus and group tours welcome, clear signage on main road, disabled access, winery tours and tutored tastings also welcome for small to large groups but need to be booked ahead.

Closest Town

Heathcote, 11kms/10 minutes. From Melb. 110km, 5 hrs

 

Wine shop, cafe and enoteca providore

105 High Street, Heathcote Telephone: 03 5433 2204   www.cellarandstore.com.au

Eleanor and her very knowledgeable team are always happy to provide an enthusiastic overview of the entire region, its wines and its hidden secrets. the enoteca stocks a selection of local and imported condiments, food items, beautiful pottery and unique gift ideas. A great place to stock the pantry, gift hamper or picnic basket with Heathcote olive oils, local, regional and imported cheeses, cured meats, pates, handmade pesto and pasta. Simple and flavoursome shared table meals are served made from regional produce and everything on the food menu is prepared in-house. In summer ‘Vintners Boards’ feature local small goods, cheese and house-made goodies, whilst in winter there is a more hearty fare with warming soups and cassoulets. Cellar & Store have a fabulous list of local wine which you can purchase and drink while you dine (small charge). Cellar & Store is a passionate advocate of the Heathcote region and it sells more than 120 wines from surrounding wineries, many of which have no cellar door or sales facilities. You can also taste many of the wines whilst you look around the produce laden store. Fun wine appreciation classes and 'Meet the Maker' wine tastings. Menu items range from $6.50 - $18. Open 7 days 10 am - 5.30 Mon to Fri and 9am - 5.30 pm Sat & Sun. Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday. Accept EFTPOS, Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Diners, Amex. Cellar & store is in Heathcote and is 105 km/70 min from Melbourne Airport.

 

Lovingly restored bluestone country hotel

2640 Kyneton-Heathcote Road, Redesdale. Telephone: 03 5425 3111

Open - Bar 12noon- 7pm Tue/Wed and 11am- 11pm Thu - Sun. Dining room opens for lunch and dinner, Thursday to Sunday. Hotel closed on Mondays. 

Entrees $8 - $14, Mains $23 - $29 & desserts $11- $15.

Originally a Cobb&Co staging post (circa 1840s), this hotel continues to keep both locals and visitors happy with modern food, a great wine list and a refreshingly cold beer. Enjoy the relaxed country atmosphere and a counter meal on the terrace overlooking Redesdale or warm up with a glass of red next to the open fire. The alacarte menu utilises locally sourced meats (e.g. rabbit and hare) and vegetables, fruits and herbs from local gardens. Local wines also feature by the glass. Great private dining room away from the main building (seats 12). Pétanque/bocce field in the gardens. Accept Cash, EFTPOS, Visa, MasterCard. Accommodation on site: 2 bedroom, one bathroom self contained modern cottage. 60 min./90 km from Melbourne airport. www.theredesdale.com.au

 

Award-winning bed & breakfast guest house and Restaurant  

187 High Street, Heathcote

Telephone: 03 5433 2668  www.emeuinn.com

This lovingly restored old miners pub (circa 1857) is now home to the award winning Emeu Inn, a one stop shop for deluxe accommodation, quality food and excellent wine. Nothing is too much trouble for Leslye and Fred! The restaurant specialises in international and native Australian cuisine including emu, bush tomatoes and game meats. The award-winning wine list has sought-after wines and some great little Heathcote secrets. Great wine by the glass selection. Seasonal degustation dinners celebrate local produce. Entrees $15-$22, Mains $19-$40, Desserts $9-16. Open Mon & Thur 11 am - 5 pm (lunch only). Fri, Sat, Sun & Public holidays 8 am - 5 pm for breakfast & lunch. Fri & Sat nights 7 pm to late for dinner. Dinner on other evenings by bookings only.  Spacious bed & breakfast accommodation is also available with 6 spa suites with open fires,  continental breakfast. and lots of little extras. Each of the 6 suites are set up for 1 couple (double sofa and rollaway beds are available). $190 per couple per night midweek to $270 per couple per night on w/ends. Min. 2 night stay on long weekends and festival weekend. Check-in 2 pm/Check-out 11 am. Emeu Inn is generally closed during parts of September, so please call ahead for reservations. Payment by Cash, MasterCard, Visa, Diners, AMEX and EFTPOS.  Emeu Inn is in Heathcote and 80 min./106 km from Melbourne Airport.

 

A country lodge with self contained units and a guesthouse.

9 Hunter Place,  Heathcote

Telephone: 03 5433 2409  www.heathcotecountrylodge.com

Heathcote Country Lodge is a unique mix of user-friendly accommodation facilities. Formerly a squash court complex, it has been renovated into a two story multi-purpose accommodation and meeting venue with a warm homely feel. It is the perfect venue for organised groups, be they wine enthusiasts, family re-unions, bicycle touring groups, bushwalkers or creative craft groups. Groups of up to 11 can be affordably catered for - 1 unit with 2 x double bedrooms and a 5 bedroom guesthouse. Faye, the manager (and owner) is the perfect host and welcomes all with genuine country hospitality. Cost for entire complex is approx. between $450 - $500 per night for a 2 night stay (accommodation only). Bed configurations can be easily arranged to suit needs. Extra child $25.00 or adult $45 - $55. For single night stays and double or single accommodation prices please enquire with Faye. Entire complex is smoke free. Walking distance to Heathcote’s cafes and restaurants. Check-in 2 pm/Check-out 11 am. Payment by cash, MasterCard or Visa. Closest town: Heathcote (.5 kms, 1mins), 75 minutes /105kms from Melbourne Airport.

Facilities: Parking, child-friendly, air-conditioning, heating, BBQ, Internet, DVD and TV, bath, swimming pool, laundry and tea and coffee making facilities.