Less than an hour from Melbourne, Macedon is an under-appreciated, cool climate and high elevation wine region of Victoria.  Because of its elevation, it is in fact the coldest wine region in mainland Australia. Such austere conditions mean bestow upon the region the potential (in good years) to produce some of Australia’s most distinct wines.

Macedon came onto the wine scene from the late 60s to the early 80s as a few pioneers such as Gordon Knight (Granite Hills) and John Ellis (Hanging Rock) saw the region’s potential.  Today, Macedon is populated by about forty (most smaller) wineries.  There is no question that the best wines coming out of here are Pinot Noir and sparkling wines.  In fact, one of the two best Australian Pinots we ever tasted came from Hanging Rock Winery.

Macedon is well worth making the time to visit.  The wineries are more spread out than in the Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula, but you will still be able to visit four or five easily over the course of a day.