Although today it stands in the shadow of its more famous sister-region, Heathcote, Bendigo (which once included Heathcote, before the latter separated itself into its own wine region) remains one of Victoria’s best wine regions and produces some of Australia’s most formidable red wines. Red, red, red is the story in Bendigo, where you will find many Shirazes and Cabernet Sauvignons.  (Over 80% of the region’s production is red wine grapes.)   Like Heathcote, Bendigo reds, at their peak, capture both power and elegance in a way few other AUS wine regions can achieve.  Less than two hours from Melbourne, Bendigo is a “can’t miss” on the AUS wine map.  See our reviews for the wineries you should check out when you visit,