Small cool-climate wineries, a cider house in an orchard and two distilleries, all within an hour
This is not a big-name wine region, and that is rather the point. The cellar doors around Daylesford are small, cool-climate and mostly family run, with pinot noir and chardonnay the specialities, and the cider and gin makers are as good a reason to drive out as the wine. Days and hours below are as published at the time of writing; ring or check before you set off, because small producers change them with the season.
Ten Minutes From the Motel
- Passing Clouds, Musk - The district’s best-known winery. Cellar door Thursday to Monday 10am to 5pm (shorter on Tuesday and Wednesday), paid tastings, and a dining room for lunch Friday to Monday that needs a booking. Children welcome. (website)
- Daylesford Cider, Musk - Organic cider from heritage apple varieties grown on the property, poured at a cellar door open seven days from 10am. Kitchen Friday to Monday, lawns, a kids’ play area and a fire in winter; dogs on leads. (website)
- Captains Creek Organic Wines, Blampied - Certified organic wines and farmhouse ciders with tasting plates on weekends, 11am to 5pm, and a play area for children. (website)
- Hepburn Distillery, Daylesford - Triple-distilled gin, vodka and whisky at a cellar door on Gin Lane; closed Tuesday and Wednesday, with tours and tastings Thursday to Sunday. (website)
- Hepburn Springs Brewing Co - In Hepburn Springs itself, on Forest Avenue: tasting flights, platters and cider, Friday to Sunday from noon.
The Macedon Ranges: 35 to 60 Minutes
- Animus Distillery, Kyneton - Gin in a cocktail lounge on Piper Street, Wednesday to Sunday from noon. Book on weekends.
- Musk Lane Wine, Kyneton - Despite the name, an urban winery and beer garden in Kyneton, weekends noon to 6pm, kid and dog friendly.
- Hanging Rock Winery, Newham - Open daily 10am to 5pm, walk-ins for tastings and cheese platters. Pair it with the Rock.
- Granite Hills, Baynton - One of the ranges’ originals, cellar door daily 11am to 5pm.
- Curly Flat, Lancefield - Serious pinot noir and chardonnay; Friday and Monday noon to 4pm, weekends 11am to 5pm, bookings online.
- Holgate Brewhouse, Woodend - A brewery in the 1902 Keatings Hotel, open daily from noon with a pub kitchen. The natural lunch stop on the Calder route home.
Getting Around
- Most cellar doors are on back roads with no public transport, so someone drives sober. Victoria’s limit is 0.05.
- Daylesford Wine Tours runs guided days from Vincent Street, seven days, if nobody wants the job.
- Tastings are mostly paid now, usually redeemable against a purchase. Groups of six or more should book.
- Every room at the motel has a fridge for the bottle you bring back.
And if you would rather someone else chose the wine, the Surly Goat next door has a list far longer than the room suggests.
