16 August 2023
11 mins Read
A winery experience in Daylesford can range from an elegant long lunch surrounded by the cool climate vineyards the area is famous for to generous tastings and gourmet platters at any of the region’s many cellar doors. Go solo, with friends, or join a tailored winery tour – the choice is up to you and either avenue is a win. Use our guide below to plot your path through the top wineries in Daylesford and beyond.
Ahh Daylesford, with your gorgeous village atmosphere, charming boutiques, luxe day spas, sophisticated stays and the proverbial icing on the cake – your superb wineries. Allow us to introduce you to a few of our favourite vino places.
Highly acclaimed for its range of elegant and pure wines, Passing Clouds has been in the premium grape-growing business since 1974. Their cellar door is open seven days a week – and it’s always a personalised experience.
Take in the idyllic surroundings from the stylish cellar door. (Image: Nikole Ramsay)
Predominately known for their premium pinot noir and chardonnay, it’s still always worth sampling the other types of specialised (often produced in limited runs) wines on offer.
Taste the range at Passing Clouds winery. (Image: Nikole Ramsay)
In recent years, this estate has commendably adopted the use of biodynamic and regenerative agricultural principles and its dining room maintains its wildly popular status with Head Chef Cameron McKenzie at the helm.
Winespeake is widely regarded as one of Daylesford’s best wine bars for good reason: the cosy atmosphere, wide selection of premium vinos and sumptuous deli goods are all fantastic.
The platters at Winespeake Cellar & Deli overflow with only the best deli goods. (Image: @edsloanephoto)
The location is stunning with its floor-to-ceiling windows that offer nifty street views (great for people-watching) in the heart of Daylesford. The menu here is designed for grazing alongside a superb bottle of plonk. Go on, best along.
Floor-to-ceiling windows make wine-tasting here a treat. (Image: @edsloanephoto)
One of the most terrific wineries near Daylesford, Captains Creek Organic Wines is full of splendid surprises for the astute sipper.
Captains Creek Organic Wines is nestled at the foot of Kangaroo Hills.
Handcrafted gems include their range of sparkling whites and reds, refined roses and a selection of bold chardonnays of the oaked and unoaked varieties.
Chardonnay grapes are the hero here.
The onsite cafe’s menu showcases the best regional produce and visitors are welcome to collect wines, ciders, cheeses and smallgoods to take away and enjoy whilst exploring the Macedon region.
Order a feast from the onsite cafe to complement your wine.
Be sure to visit the award-winning cellar door at Attwoods Wines where the team of passionate winemakers have perfected the art of creating true cool climate wines that are reflective of their vintage and terroir.
Pop by Attwoods Wines for a unique wine-tasting experience.
Book a table for lunch at Le Bouchon at Attwoods and savour the (many) gastronomic moments. We also strongly suggest you do not leave the premises without a bottle of the 2019 ‘Le Sanglier’ Nebbiolo or any one of their signature pinot noirs. Bottoms up!
Have lunch on the elevated al fresco deck.
A community-inspired vineyard and winery in the heart of Victorian spa country. Come here to sip on a fresh Riesling, a delicate pinot Noir and an outstanding cool climate syrah all of which inspire that ‘pinch me I’m dreaming’ feeling. Hand-picked from 50-year-old vines, all the Zig Zag Rd. Wines certainly deserve your time.
Secluded villas and fine wines go hand in hand at Sailors Falls Estate. Sample their prized pinot gris, pinot noir, Gamay, rosé, chardonnay and Gewürztraminer wines and stay the night – conveniently right by the cellar door. As the name suggests, Sailors Falls Estate is the ideal base to explore nearby Sailors Falls. Alternate idea – book a Daylesford Winery Tour and make sure this charming estate is on the itinerary.
Nestled on the edge of the Wombat State Forest and just a short 15-minute drive from Daylesford is where you’ll find Wombat Forest Vineyard. Guests are invited to taste their small batch, hand-crafted wines at the cellar door and enjoy grazing platters by the open wood fire or out on the deck in the sunshine. Fact: the nutrient-rich volcanic soils, natural spring waters and winter frosts that the Macedon Ranges are famous for, work together to create cool climate viticulture – as artfully demonstrated by their bold cabernet sauvignon.
Kyneton itself is a destination that favours people seeking a country-style escape in a historic setting. As for the wineries and fantastic eateries, well, they are just another sound reason to visit.
Believe the hype. Musk Lane Wine in Central Victoria has effectively embraced lo-fi production methods and head winemaker and proprietor, Brendan Lane successfully produces small-batch wines with integrity, honesty and soul. The cellar door (come urban winery/beer garden/neighbourhood wine bar) is located right in the heart of historic Kyneton. Stop by sometime and cherish the delicious selection of wines on offer.
Come for the wine and stay for a meal. Kyneton Ridge Estate always exudes that welcoming feeling amid the rolling green hills of the Macedon Ranges. Here the granitic soil and good rainfall (along with organic compost and sustainable agricultural practices) help to symbiotically create their famed pinot noir range of wines along with standout varietals including aromatic shiraz blends and crisp sparkling wines. Bonus points for the gorgeous art space on the premises too.
The underground cellar door at Cleveland Winery is one of the most unique places for wine tasting in the region. Whether you’re chasing a full-bodied shiraz, a chilled chardonnay and/or a sparkling pinot noir, this elegant venue has you covered.
Cleveland Winery sits in a tranquil garden setting.
The superb Carriage House Restaurant (part of the Cleveland Winery/Lancemore Estate) is a must-do while you’re here too – bookings are essential.
Stroll around the lake at Cleveland Winery and take in the picturesque views.
Curly Flat Vineyard has an excellent reputation for high-quality winemaking in the Macedon Ranges. Encompassing 14.5 hectares of prime grape-growing terroir, this vineyard is well known for its expressive array of premium wines. The majority of the land is planted with pinot noir and there are smaller plantings of chardonnay and pinot gris too. Naturally fermented and always elegant, pop a bottle of Curly Flat wine on your must-have list asap.
Located alongside the ever-pretty Pipers Creek, Hunter-Gatherer Vineyard is one the best wineries in the Daylesford/Kyneton region. Plus, it’s close to a host of Kyneton’s best cafes. Their signature varietals include sparkling pinot chardonnay, riesling, chardonnay, rose, pinot noir, shiraz, sangiovese and a moreish sparkling shiraz.
The cosy cellar door is the perfect antidote to the cool country air. (Image: KGMG Creative)
Their cellar door is a fab place to sip, sit and banter as you wish. Keen to learn about winemaking? Hunter-Gatherer will take you through the process from start to finish – a very insightful experience for those who have a keen interest.
Raise a glass at Hunter-Gatherer Vineyard. (Image: KGMG Creative)
Taking it a touch further afield, we’re showcasing the best wineries in the wider Macedon Ranges region. Book a dedicated wine tour or have your tee-totalling mate take the wheel because it’s time to indulge in fine wine.
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday guests are invited to the cellar door at Lyons Will Estate for a sit-down wine tasting. Walk-ins are welcome but we’d recommend booking in advance, so you don’t miss out. Owner and chief winemaker Renata Morello is a local luminaire with a flair for producing outstanding wines and stockpiling a slew of well-deserved awards. Her winemaking philosophy is hands-off and true to the land where the grapes are grown, as demonstrated by the taste of their phenomenal riesling, chardonnay and pinot noir. 10/10.
Come to Hanging Rock Winery for an authentic wine-tasting experience and stay for the majestic views and gourmet cheese platters. Their range of cured meats such as pastrami, and bresaola are available for purchase too.
Hanging Rock Winery is set in the stunning Macedon Ranges.
Pick up a bottle of memorable plonk, crack the seal and sip longingly upon the picnic tables overlooking the infamous Hanging Rock and the imposing Mount Macedon.
Wood-fired pizza combined with a multitude of fine wines – where do we sign? Here at Mount Macedon Winery of course! The cellar door team will kindly assist you by sharing their expert tasting notes, pairing suggestions, and in-house wine-making knowledge.
Admire the scenery at Mount Macedon Winery.
Mount Macedon Winery is known for its farm by hand and with the future in mind approach to production and is absolutely kicking goals. Note: this venue is also available as a formal function space with a relaxed atmosphere.
Mount Macedon Winery has plenty of space for a picnic.
Now here’s a small family-owned and operated winery in the Macedon Ranges that you simply must put on your itinerary.
You’ll feel like your sipping wine in the treetops at Mount Towrong Vineyard.
Established in 1996 by the Cremasco family, the vineyard is highly acclaimed for its noble wines and amazing Italian-style dining.
Dine and drink the Italian way at Mount Towrong Vineyard.
Estate grown, made and bottled. Granite Hills effectively produces a range of innovative wines with a strong focus on sustainability and quality. It’s located high on the north peaks of the Great Dividing Range at an elevation of 550 metres – this locale along with the cool climate conditions is the ideal environment for cultivating premium wines. Granite Hills Wines are marked by their complexity and aging ability – come visit their cellar door (open seven days) and sample their portfolio of fine vinos and you’ll see for yourself.
Wine not your style or are you just keen to add some new flavours to your liquor-loving repertoire? Enter the distillery. Come see/sample the best ciders, boutique beers and artisanal liqueurs on display in the Daylesford region.
Located in the super cute old butter factory, this unique distillery offers a tailored tasting experience to all who visit. The relaxed and cosy atmosphere with its smooth leather lounges, wooden furnishings and moody lighting is perfect for sipping on the specialised range of premium ports, botanical gins, clean vodkas and herbal liqueurs.
Home of several award-winning ciders (made from apples of predominantly English heritage and always with 100% fresh juice), Daylesford Cider offers distillery tours, daily dining fare, epic tasting sessions and even take-away gourmet lunch hampers.
Enjoy a gourmet lunch at Daylesford Cider.
You’re welcome to pop in but’s best to book in advance during the holiday season.
Order a tasting flight to get the full experience.
Fancy joining a whisky-making workshop? Or would you prefer to down a tasting flight of premium gins and/or vodkas? Can’t decide? Fair enough, do both! The Hepburn Distillery leans toward locally, organically and seasonally sourced goods to produce the popular drinks.
Be sure to try their Saffron Organic Vodka and the Gourmet Chocolate Gin if you feel like indulging in some lotus-eating antics next time you stop in.
Open for lunch and dinner, the Daylesford Brewing Co. invites visitors to sample their famous boozy beverages at their uber-cool restaurant bar and taphouse venue. The brewery effectively reinstates the tradition and heritage of local beer-making, which once (particularly back in the bygone gold rush era) fluttered throughout the region.
Taste a selection of Daylesford Brewing Co. craft brews on tap.
The pale ale and draught are popular tipples but it’s well worth sampling the array of limited-edition boutique brews too. Not that into beer? No worries, there are heaps of great whiskeys, gins and other premium spirits, along with fine wines to enjoy.
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