Bendigo Wine Makers

Bendigo Wine Estate

The Bendigo Wine Estate Vineyard at Axedale is continuing the grand winemaking tradition of the Campaspe Valley, which was established, by H.G. and J.B. Bennett in 1844 and expanded rapidly during the 1850’s gold rushes to reach over 50 vineyards by the 1880’s. Irish, German, French and English vignerons developed the wine industry to meet the thirst of the gold industry at Bendigo which today still remains as one of the ten largest goldfields in the world.

The Campaspe Valley wine industry reached it’s zenith at the Vienna World Exhibition of 1873 when Bendigo was awarded a certificate proclaiming Bendigo as the best red wine area in the world. The Museum of Victoria holds this certificate, which it regards as an icon of the Victorian Wine Industry. The top award for red wine at the Vienna Exhibition went to Karl Pohl of Axe Creek south of Axedale.

Preliminary work at the Bendigo Wine Estate Vineyard commenced in 1997 with 36 acres of vines planted in 1998 and 64.5 acres in 1999.

The first vintage of 50 tonnes in 2000 is the wine currently available. 364 tonnes were vintaged in 2001 and 329 tonnes this year.

Cellar Door

Daily 11am to 4:30pm - We believe our unique cellar door building is the first constructed of rock gabions in Australia. Gabions are wire baskets filled with crushed bluestone rock quarried locally at Axedale. New and old timber complements the use of natural materials throughout. Come and visit our vineyard and cellar door in a picturesque setting on an embankment overlooking the vine covered terraces and river flats of the Campaspe River. Enjoy tasting our wine with your friends in this wonderful setting. Barbeque facilities and a petanque pitch are available at the cellar door to make your visit a memorable one. Shiraz is a speciality, and Cabernet, Verdalho, Chardonnay and Riesling are also planted here.

Bendigo Wine Estate is located 6.3 kilometres north of Axedale at 682 Axedale Goornong Road, Axedale. Axedale is on the McIvor Road between Bendigo and Heathcote, and is 24 kilometres east of Bendigo. Preliminary work at the Bendigo Wine Estate vineyard commenced in 1997. The vineyard is located on the banks of the Campaspe River and has views of the Sugar Loaf ranges and of the river valley.

Contact Bendigo Wine Estate