Heathcote Wine region

Where is the Heathcote Wine region?

North of Melbourne and east of Bendigo lies the Heathcote wine region. It is bound by the Rochester township to the north, the Tooborac community towards the south, Lake Eppalock to the west and Graytown to the east. With such a diversified terroir, wines of Heathcote are varied. As a whole however, the Heathcote Winegrowers Association have described their wines as,

“Voluptuous and well balanced, acid and tannin meld together in a way that does not dominate the fruit, but gives the wine great cellaring ability.” 

Of all the wines produced from Heathcote, shiraz which is characterized by a distinctive, deep and complex fruit flavour, is considered royalty. The archaic, cambrian red sodic clay soil is rich in minerals and boasts excellent water retention. Vineyards lie in specific areas along both sides of Mount Camel’s hills where cool prevailing winds and geographical elevation influences the terroir and hence, the expression of the grape. 

What is the Heathcote Wine region best known for?

Heathcote is synonymous for its shiraz; many of which are recognised nationally and internationally. This however, was not always the case. The first vineyards were planted by Henning Rathjen at Colbinabbin in the 1850’s, but Heathcote’s renaissance did not begin until much later. 

Initially the Phylloxera vine louse, which destroyed the roots of vines, had spread across Heathcote due to poor hygiene practices.  Only the Segafredo vineyard in Graytown, which was established in 1891, remained. It is this resilient clone that provided cuttings and grapes to winemakers, such as Paul Osicka making it the ancestor of Australia’s Heathcote shiraz.

Currently, many of the 40 wineries and 70 vineyards in Heathcote are family-owned and operated. Some employ or are operated by second or third generation winemakers. They tend to a shiraz that is distinct and carries a unique identity compared to shiraz produced elsewhere. Heathcote’s shiraz is known for its natural acidity, texture and rich colour. 

Grown under the Heathcote Mediterranean climate, Palmarium’s Exemplar Heathcote Shiraz is rich, complex and layered, with ripe blackberry and currant followed by cedar, spice, licorice and a hint of earth. This contrasts with shiraz grapes grown in cooler climates which are more subdued as a result of a thinner skin and fewer tannins.

And should you pay a visit to Heathcote, you will be immersed in a cultural revolution driven by a community proud of its wine heritage. As a visitor, your day might begin with a well-balanced shiraz, a luncheon of gourmet dining served with home-style hospitality. Then as you walk across High Street, you’ll be greeted by the scent of local produce offered by the Wine Hub and pass by heritage inspired gifts from Rutherford & Maine. And on the first Saturday of each month, the Bush Market is held, offering local produce, jewelry etc. In early October, the town comes to life as the festivities begin at the annual Heathcote Wine & Food Festival. Over four thousand guests make the pilgrimage to celebrate one of Victoria's iconic wine events.

Heathcote is enshrouded in a rich Australian heritage which is often overshadowed by its association with shiraz. From being a transit point for expedition pioneers, to having its own gold rush story to being involved with Australia’s aviation and railway history, Heathcote is a unique Australian town. And if you’re bright eyed and bushy tailed, walks along the O’Keefe Rail Trail, Devil’s Cave and Pink Cliffs will give you a glimpse of Heathcote beyond the wine country, just as Lake Eppalock will give you a great place for fishing, an afternoon picnic or a warm swim. Needless to say, should you visit Heathcote, you'll find more than just shiraz but a town with a strong and proud heritage.

What is the climate at Heathcote Wine Region like?

Heathcote has a Mediterranean climate. Winters are cool and wet while summers are warm and dry. Summers are mild and shiraz in Heathcote benefit from a long growing season. The slow but steadfast ripening of grapes promotes ideal phenolic development that is iconic of the highest quality wines.

Heathcote’s vastness means climate geology and topography will vary significantly. The best comparison can be made between, Rochester, (to the north) which is drier than Tooborac (to the South) which can receive as much as 10mm less rain per month during the growing season (between April to October). This said, seasonal rainfall is evenly distributed across the year.

Heathcote is considered a temperate region however, there are variations in temperature across south and north. Southern vineyards also have a tendency to be cooler by around 1.5 degrees Celsius because of cooling winds. This can extend the growing season. As an example, the temperature difference in Tooborac during the veraison period can influence picking dates by as long as a fortnight compared to vineyards in Rochester. For the discerning connoisseur, the difference between production in Rochester compared to Tooborac can result in a range of different flavours.

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Exemplar Shiraz

395B Belmore Rd, Balwyn, VIC, 3103
Australia
Phone: +61 3 9071 1834
Email: info@palmarium.com.au
Web: https://www.palmarium.com.au