Located in the town of Victoria, the picturesque Heathcote region is a wine lover’s paradise. While its spectacular landscapes, lush forests and amazing wineries are what define the region the best, it’s also known for a hub of outdoor activities like boating, fishing, swimming and skiing. An easy to reach destination, it lies just an hour and half drive away from Melbourne. If you are planning to visit this beautiful place, then here’s everything you need to know for planning your adventure journey.
A Quick Look Into the Past
Compared to the other Australian regions, Heathcote is relatively young yet quite popular. Similar to its neighbours, Heathcote also witnessed immigrants from all around the world during the gold rush era. It became home to different cultures. In the early 19th century, Henning Rathjen (German settler) introduced viticulture here. However, most of these early planted vineyards were destroyed as the state was struck by phylloxera infestation.
It wasn’t until the 20th century that viticulture stepped back into the region with visionaries like Paul Osicka, Albino Zuber and Bruno Pangrazio. They laid down the foundations of the present day Heathcote wine industry and especially in the past 60 years, the region has flourished immensely.
Present Day Heathcote Wines
The region has earned a reputation in the industry owing to its size and optimal growing conditions. As it covers a huge area, the region experiences varied microclimates. With Coonawarra-like calcium-rich soil covering the region, it’s now known for its exceptional red wines. Some of the key varieties grown here are:
Shiraz
Heathcote is known for its amazing Shiraz wines. From savoury and spicy to elegant, these are produced in different styles. These are especially popular for the dense colour, impressive texture, supple tannins and mouth-filling flavours.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Before the rise of Shiraz, Cab Sav stayed in the limelight for a substantially long period of time. It still is amongst the most-produced reds, produced in varied styles. North Heathcote produces full-bodied Cab Sav with blackcurrant & cassis flavours; South Heathcote on the other hand is known for medium-bodied varietal wines displaying mint and spice notes.
Chardonnay
Despite the warm climate, Heathcote is known for fresh and flavourful Chardonnay wines revealing stone fruit flavours. These are pretty sophisticated, often suitable for long term cellaring too.
Merlot
Mostly crafted is a varietal, Merlot is often blended with other wines too. Its sweet fruit notes and silky tannins beautifully complement the complex characteristics of other red varieties grown here.
Savour the flavours of these beauties in the comfort of your couch—buy heathcote wines online from Australia’s second largest wine website, Just Wines.
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