Bendigo
HISTORY ON THE MOVE
Sample standout wines in down-to-earth cellar doors and soak up views of the forested countryside in the historic Bendigo wine region.
Bendigo became a gold rush boomtown in 1851 and grapevines were planted on its gently rolling hills soon after. Today a new wave of family-run wineries are winning attention with their bold reds and stylish whites.
The city of Bendigo is a major drawcard thanks to its vibrant mix of sidewalk cafes, art galleries, antique stores, gold rush architecture and century-old gardens.
Read on for more about Bendigo.
36°81’S
latitude
144°28’E
longitude
610HA
total vineyard area
Climate and Altitude
The region has a warm, continental climate with plenty of sunshine during the warmer months to ripen grapes. Varying elevations create climate diversity, from the warmer plains to the cooler foothills of the central highlands.
248MM
growing season rainfall
21.9C
mean temperature
107-748M
altitude
The Environment
In the heart of Victoria, the Bendigo wine region encompasses the bustling city of Bendigo, with vineyards and wineries spread throughout the region. It’s a two-hour drive from Melbourne.
Climate
The region has hot, dry summers, cool, wet winters and crisp nights year round.
Soil
Most soils are brownish, loamy sands or clay loams, common to regions in south-east Australia.
Top Varieties Grown
CHARDONNAY
Chardonnay is the most widely planted white grape, producing full-flavoured yet well-balanced wines.
SHIRAZ
This is the signature variety of the Bendigo wine region. Shiraz wines are deeply coloured and rich in flavour, with excellent ageing potential.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
These are powerful, full-flavoured red wines with flavours ranging from herbaceous to dark berries and a distinctive eucalypt-peppermint character.
