ATTRACTIONS BARFOLD VIC

The timeless hills around the Campaspe River Valley and Lake Eppalock make a lovely backdrop to this gem, Redesdale Estate. Wine quality is outstanding, as is the estate's fine olive oil. Self-catering accommodation is available in the beautifully appointed Auberge de la Rose. While the gardens, part of Open Gardens Australia, follow a Mediterranean theme. Owners of Redesdale Estate, offer the estate's own grown olive oil and cellar door wines. Old museum vintages back to 2001, all highly awarded, are available for sale direct from the cellar door. Redesdale Estate is located only 70 minutes from Melbourne. Redesdale is a quiet and charmingly bewitching town, but if you blink, you will miss it! Redesdale Estate's hospitality offer peaceful, quiet, beautiful gardens that are 65 acres with one kilometre Campaspe River frontage to explore. Through vineyards, olive groves, see extraordinary birdlife and black starry skies at night while staying in complete luxury.

The Macedon Ranges are hiding a delicious secret. Located off an unsealed dirt road flanking the majestic Cobaw State Forest, just out of Kyneton, is an entrance to a natural amphitheatre surrounded by rows of vines and now-full dams. It is a special place and home to Cobaw Ridge, which makes Australia's finest Lagrein. Owner-growers Alan and Nelly Cooper also produce excellent chardonnay, syrah and pinot noir but for more than a decade they have been championing this rare red.

This is one of those out-of-the-way gems that make Victorian vineyard touring so fascinating. Cobaw Ridge is a clearing in an unspoilt forest strewn with giant boulders. There's a real middle of nowhere feel, yet it's not much more than an hour from Melbourne. .

Comforts include picnic area, casual terrace tables, and a rustic mud brick winery which produces distinctive cool-climate wines.

Shiraz, straight or in a blend with Viognier, and Chardonnay are typically fresh and lively, and the unique Lagrein is a savoury, Italian-varietals red of real interest." Ralph Kyte-Powell

Located on the Burke and Wills track between Lancefield and Heathcote and an easy one hour drive from Melbourne and the Airport, Rowanston on the Track Winery & Bed and Breakfast is the perfect boutique winery to stop by.

Named after explorers Burke and Wills; travelled past the property en route to Swan Hill on the first leg of their ill-fated journey in August 1861. A visit will include free tastings and if requested, a tour of the winery itself.

This family boutique vineyard produces Shiraz, Riesling, Merlot and a sparkling white made from 100% Pinot a delicious sparkling Merlot and a fresh fruity Rose. They also have a small patch of olives and visitors always enjoy the tasty peppery olive oil.

The winery has been consistently awarded 4 Star ratings by James Halliday. The Riesling is particularly sought after and has won several awards at wine shows including rating over the past years between 93 and 95 by James Halliday.

The Shiraz has won awards at various shows and will soon be exported to the boutique market in the US..

The sparkling blanc de noir is made from 100% pinot and has been one of our most popular wines over recent years. Their newest wine, a sparkling Merlot has also been a great hit and they expect the clean fresh Rose to be a hit this summer.

All wines are handpicked and made using traditional techniques which include gentle crushing, open vat fermentation and gentle pressing followed by maturation in oak barrels.

You will find the wines available at many local outlets around the Daylesford Macedon Ranges wine region including Kyneton and Woodend. They are also proud sponsors of the Redstich Actors Theatre in Chapel Street, St Kilda, and Melbourne, where the wines are available at performances.