Sunbury winery reviews
Check out some of the wineries in the region independently reviewed by wine writers Ben Canaider and Ralph Kyte-Powell.
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Dating back to the 1860s, the Andraos Brothers Olde Winilba vineyard and impressive two-storey bluestone cellars have been replanted and restored. Shiraz can be powerful, incredibly rich, and multi-layered; it is not surprising to learn this wine has won gold medals and trophies. There's also a rich and concentrated cabernet sauvignon, good pinot noir, and a very characterful chardonnay.
Ben Canaider
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Craiglees history goes back 140 years and the old, three-story, bluestone winery overlooking giant fig trees, huge river gums and meandering Jacksons Creek is a national treasure. History is never far away here. Craiglees famous 1872 Hermitage (shiraz) was still drinking well at 100 years old, and current vintages have every chance of similar longevity. The present day shiraz is one of Australias great wines; cabernet and long-living chardonnay also excel. A pilgrimage to Craiglee should be in every Australian wine lovers plans.
Ralph Kyte-Powell
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Galli Estate, at the southern end of the Sunbury region, is relatively new but its excellent wines, at very fair prices, have already put it on the radar of wine buffs far and wide. An Italian influence pervades the cellar door and the smart, modern restaurant, where you can enjoy great food looking across a broad sweep of vineyard, or go alfresco on the outside deck. Galli also has a large vineyard in the Heathcote region that provides outstanding material to extend this substantial winerys already very good range.
Ralph Kyte-Powell
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Built by Victorias Premier in the boom days of the mid-1800s, this historic Sunbury winery has been reborn as a hospitable, professionally run destination for wine tastings, private functions and Sunday lunch. The original bluestone winery is now an atmospheric great hall doubling as the cellar door, and the surrounding vineyard and gardens are very picturesque. The label reproduces the 19th century original, and wine quality and value are good, especially in clean, crisp, estate chardonnay. Straight cabernet franc, a rarity in Victoria, is a speciality.
Ralph Kyte-Powell
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From Wildwood the rolling pastures of the Oaklands Valley stretch away in the direction of Melbourne Airport, but the hustle and bustle seems a lot further away. Here you can relax at Wildwood Café, or enjoy the ambience on
the outdoor terrace with good things to eat from the wood-fired oven. Shiraz, the Sunbury region's signature red wine, is excellent here, and the other wines are usually very good, especially chardonnay of finesse and pinot noir of unusual heartiness.
Ralph Kyte-Powell
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