Bendigo Wine Region

• Summary
• Weather for Bendigo Wine Region

The Bendigo region is a small but growing region with many fine boutique wineries. The modern industry emerged in the late 1960s and grew rapidly over the next 25 years. There are three sub-regions within Bendigo region; Granite Slopes is to the south east and includes the towns of Mandurang, Harcourt and Castlemaine; Loddon Valley to the north west has a cluster of wineries around Kingower and Marong and Golden Waters sub-region to the south west with the towns of Bet Bet and Maryborough.

The first grapes were planted in the region in 1856 just after the start of the massive goldrushes which brought tens of thousands of hopeful diggers from all over the world to seek their fortunes.They brought with them a lust for gold, but also the wine and food knowledge of Europe.

The region is divided by a number of rivers and creeks the most significant being the Loddon, Avoca and Campaspe rivers. The region is gently undulating with brown loams deposited by the rivers and sandy granitic soils on higher ground.

Although the latest technology is used to ensure consistently high quality wine, visitors will not find mechanical harvesters, tank farms or massive metal catwalks. Traditional hands on techniques include open stainless steel fermentation, small barrel maturation in French and American oak, egg white fining and hand bottling and labeling.

The Bendigo Region is warm and freindly, welcoming travellers. There is an fantastic range of accommodation, restaurants,cafes, and many a cellar door. The Bendigo Winemaker's Festival at harvest end and Bendigo Heritage Uncorked in October middles the region's wine, food and heritage.