Here, on the rich soils of Maiden Gully, the well-known and highly regarded winemaker Stuart Anderson established the vineyards and winery in 1969. In 1999 Balgownie Estate was purchased by the Forrester family, passionate wine lovers with a determination to build on the Estate's illustrious history. Today, the Bendigo vineyard has expanded to thirty hectares with plantings of cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, pinot noir, and chardonnay as well as smaller quantities of merlot cabernet franc, sangiovese and viognier.
The Estate Shiraz and Estate Cabernet Sauvignon have long stood the test of time and are again regarded as benchmarks for regionally distinctive, red wine styles in Central Victoria. Two other Estate wines are produced, a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These come from very small vineyard parcels and produced in very limited quantities.
The Estate's Chardonnay shows the white peach and nectarine flavours typical of Yarra Valley chardonnay. The palate is intensely flavoured but taught and balanced. This wine is made with no malolactic fermentation in order to retain natural acidity and freshness, a wine that can be enjoyed immediately.
The Pinot Noir reflects a fine and balanced expression of the variety, winemaking artifice has been kept to a minimum allowing the fruit to shine, added fruit from the Yarra Junction sub-region of the Yarra Valley brings delicacy and balance. The nose shows bright cherry and red plum fruit with hints of undergrowth, the palate is intense and layered but not heavy. The interest in Balgownie's White label Cabernet Sauvignon shows no signs of waning, it shows richness and accessibility, and like all Balgownie Estate Cabernets it will reward those with the patience to cellar it for many years.
"This winery was one of the pioneers of commercial winemaking in the Bendigo region, first planting vines in 1969. Now under new ownership, it continues to make massive strides, as underlined by this classic cabernet with its blackcurrant and tobacco leaf bouquet and intense blackcurrant and cedar flavours. Tremendous structure and complexity make this a wine for cellaring". -Winsor Dobbin
Balgownie are fortunate to have a collection of museum wines that covers a large part of Balgownie Estate's history. Starting with a few bottles of some very rare vintages from founder Stuart Anderson's day, right through to the wines of our current winemaker Tobias Ansted. To celebrate this history, the Estate runs a series of back vintages dinners to showcase these precious wines and to share the experience with wine lovers.
Balgownie Estate is proud of its continued and ever growing reputation for fine, award-winning wines. The Balgownie Winery restaurant prides itself on the quality and creativity of its food. The chefs select only the freshest and best local produce to skillfully prepare menus that can truly be thought of as Australian. Influenced by French, Italian and Asian cuisines, dining at Balgownie is exceptional, simple yet elegant dishes to tempt the taste buds. There are some sixty elegant and spacious suites at Balgownie Vineyard Retreat and Spa. All have impressive views across the picturesque Yarra Valley to be enjoyed while sipping a glass of Balgownie wine from the balcony, within comfortable living areas or even from a spa bath. Each suite features a full size spa bath in which to luxuriate.
