A Drinker's Guide to Charming Daylesford, Victoria
Big Tree Distillery photo credit Big Tree Distillery
Nuzzled in the lush countryside of Victoria’s Macedon Ranges, the charming town of Daylesford, an hour’s drive from Melbourne, is renowned for its natural beauty, healing spa waters, and vibrant arts scene. However, beneath this serene exterior lies a thriving beverage culture that’s waiting to be discovered.
For wine lovers, Daylesford is a hidden gem. The region’s cool climate is perfect for producing elegant, cool-climate wines. You’ll find numerous boutique wineries scattered across the rolling hills, each offering a unique tasting experience.
Daylesford’s craft beer scene has been steadily gaining recognition, with local breweries pushing the boundaries of creativity. Sample a flight of handcrafted beers at The Daylesford Hotel, which often features seasonal brews alongside its core range.
Wineries
Granite Hills
Granite Hills Vineyard photo credit Granite Hills
Granite Hills is a hidden treasure for both wine enthusiasts and nature lovers. This boutique winery, surrounded by lush vineyards and rolling hills, offers a serene escape and award-winning cool-climate wines. In fact, they’ve won over 500 local and international awards for their riesling, chardonnay, pinot blanc, and malbec.
Visitors can unwind in the tranquil setting of the cellar door, sipping on exceptional wines while taking in the scenic beauty.
Hanging Rock Winery builidngs photo credit Hanging Rock Winery
Hanging Rock Winery
Nestled at the foothills of the iconic Hanging Rock, this vineyard is celebrated for its cool-climate wines, particularly its acclaimed sparkling varieties and elegant pinot noirs.
Visitors are invited to experience their exceptional range in the cellar door while soaking in the rolling hills and iconic Macedon Ranges peaks. With a rich history and a commitment to quality, Hanging Rock Winery captures the essence of the region in every sip.
Attwoods Wines credit Visit Melbourne
Established by Tony and Barb Attwood, this family-owned gem is known for producing limited quantities of high-quality pinot noir, chardonnay, and sparkling wines. Their vineyard’s elevated position allows for a longer ripening season, resulting in wines with elegance and complexity.
The wines are designed to be food-focused, so it would be a shame to miss out on the full Attwoods experience. Book a table at Le Bouchon, for a French-inspired set lunch menu, paired with wines, of course.
Distilleries
Mountain Distilling photo credit Mountain Distilling
Mountain Distilling
Venture to this boutique distillery for award-winning innovative libations, with the most notable being Mountain Gin, infused with local botanicals. Aside from bottled gins, there’s a range of single malt whisky, a vodka, and a surprisingly good agave blanco distilled in the ranges.
Pull up a stool in the new tasting room to sip the range and experience the art of distillation up close. You can order a cocktail and cheese platters to graze on.
Terra Australis gin
Terra Australis Distillery, hiding in an old butter factory, is a true embodiment of craftsmanship in the world of spirits. With a commitment to showcasing Australia’s diverse flora, this boutique distillery produces exceptional gin and botanical liqueurs that capture the essence of the region’s unique terroir. If you’re after something unique, don’t skip this one on your next trip.
Their dedication to using native ingredients results in distinctive, flavorful spirits that pay homage to the Australian landscape. Visitors can explore the art of distillation and sample their innovative libations.
Big Tree Cumquat gin credit Big Tree Distillery
Big Tree Distillery
Another great option for gin is Big Tree Distillery. Founded by gin lovers Catherine and Gary, visitors will be able to taste their love of the spirit, injected with foraged botanicals found in the ranges. This includes a pinot noir gin, a limited edition slow gin, and a cumquat double-distilled gin.
Be sure to wander around for, arguably, the most photogenic views in the ranges. Most visitors ask to see the impressive copper still named Beryl. It’s one of the highlights.
Cidery
Daylesford Cider Company
Daylesford Cider photo credit Daylesford Cider
This is a must-visit, even if it’s just to sit in the garden under the sun with the orchards. Although, when the thrust hits, try the exceptional handcrafted ciders that reflect the region’s rich apple-growing heritage. Using traditional methods and a dedication to quality, they produce a diverse range of cider styles, from crisp and dry to sweet and sparkling.
Grab a tasting paddle at the cellar door before finding your own quiet slice of the grounds. You can also get lunch at the on-site restaurant, serving local produce on a platter.