Macedon Ranges rated in top Victorian Young Guns of Wine for 2020
Have you ever tasted a silky drop of pinot noir created to simulate a “shipwrecked” wine? Now is your chance. The special vintage is from a Macedon Ranges producer recognised nationally.
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Macedon Ranges winemakers have been rated among top Victoria’s best Young Guns of Wine.
The region is well-known for its volcanic soil, cool climate and a thriving community close to Melbourne.
The family labels to make the prestigious cut are Dilworth and Allain, Lyons Will Estate and Wilimee.
This is how the brands are adapting to reaching customers amid the coronavirus restrictions.
LYONS WILL ESTATE WINERY
The label was started by husband and wife team Renata Morella and Oliver Rapson, who made the life-changing decision to move from Melbourne’s northside to follow their passion for wine.
After falling in love with Italian wine bars, the boutique estate features old-world Germanic varietals originating from their cool European climates.
All wines are hand made from fruit grown on the estate, with an emphasis on sustainability and using traditional wine making techniques.
Anyone who buys three or more bottles a fortnight will get a free roll of Who Gives A Crap toilet paper.
Free delivery within the Macedon Ranges is available.
Wines available: chardonnay, pinot noir, riesling, gamay and pinot rose.
DILWORTH AND ALLAIN WINERY
Couple Loique Allain and Chris Dilworth dreamed of starting a wine project for years before they discovered their ideal location in the Macedon Ranges.
Mr Dilworth said the region’s cool climate made for the perfect location to nurture a budding winery.
“When you grow grapes in a cooler climate you retain a higher degree of natural acidity,” he said.
“There is a broad network of (young) winemakers spread across the country now producing wines at a small scale.”
Wines available: 2018 Cope-Williams Chardonnay and 2018 Doug’s Vineyard Pinot Noir.
WILIMEE WINERY
Wilimee is another family run vineyard that sits 600m above sea level — making it perfect for Chardonnay and pinot Noir.
Grown on some of the oldest soil in Australia, the vineyard sits next to a sacred quarry used to make stone axes by the indigenous Wurundjeri people.
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The winery name Wilimee comes from Wilimee Morring, which means ‘place of stone axe’.
Partner duo Ben Ranken and Sally Richardson settled in the Macedon Ranges in 2013 to produce wine and raise their family.
The couple have created a special pinot noir vintage whereby 30 per cent of the delicious drop is matured underwater for five years mimicking wine that has been shipwrecked.
Wines available: 2018 chardonnay and the 2018 pinot noir.