Macedon Ranges – Australia’s Premier Cool Climate Wine Region
The Macedon Ranges Wine Region is shown scientifically to be the “coolest wine region on mainland Australia“, producing exceptionally expressive, premium cool climate wines. The major climatic influence is the Great Dividing Range across the region with elevations up to 1010 metres above sea level.
Midhill Vineyard is located near Romsey and east of Mount Macedon. The soil is clay loam, red volcanic weathered basalt and slightly acidic. Frosts are common in winter and light snow sometimes occurs. In Autumn, the ripening season, the vines are subject to daytime heat from north winds, but being at 540 m. on the Great Dividing Range, cool nights regularly occur. This cooling at night promotes retention of flavours, tannin and natural fruit acidity in the berries. The resulting wines have a good natural balance. The wine requires minimal intervention.
Award-Winning Cool Climate Wines
The Richards family planted Chardonnay at Midhill in 1993… Gewürztraminer and Pinot Noir in 2001. 6.5 acres of vines now produce 2.5 to 3 tonnes per acre of fruit. Our aim is – through careful viticulture and soil improvements – to produce premium grapes and wines that are bright, fresh-flavoured and express the high altitude and cool climate of our site.
The cool, windy and elevated vineyard is especially good for Sparkling Wine production. Our Blanc de Blancs is a premium example of Sparkling Macedon. It has won gold medals and trophies over several vintages. The Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay and Pinot noir have all won awards at various wine shows.
Premium Australian Cool Climate Gewürztraminer
The planting of our Gewürztraminer was quite a serendipitous event. In the first planting (1993), it was discovered that some vines were not Chardonnay. The berries are a pinky-brown colour with amazing flavour, popular with both pickers and birds. They ripened a little earlier than the Chardonnay and were identified as Gewürztraminer, clone unknown.
‘Gewürz’ is a German word for spicy. Traminer possibly originated in Northern Italy and is grown in Alsace, Germany, Switzerland. Research shows that this variety gives the best flavour and aromas when grown in cold areas on well drained, acidic soils of volcanic origin…the Midhill Vineyard site is just that.
800 vines have now been propagated from cuttings of the original 36 vines. Gewürztraminer lovers seek out this aromatic wine which is fermented dry. Midhill Gewürztraminer has the classic flavours of Turkish delight and musk, with floral spice and rose petal aromas. It has a dry, lively crisp finish.
Midhill Vineyard farm
Midhill farm is also the home of a herd of grass-fed Angus cattle which, together with sheep, graze in the vineyard in winter to control weeds and return natural nutrients to the soil. To improve soil biology we use natural products from kelp, fish and beneficial microbes to improve the health of vine and pasture, and for drought resistance.
Cell grazing, the regular movement of cattle from paddock to paddock, over the whole property controls the growth of annual weeds and creates deep rooted permanent pasture that is more resilient in dry times. Dung beetle are well established on the property and different varieties are active most of the year, recycling nutrients deep into the soil.
At the bottom of the Romsey Creek valley, the 5 Mile Creek flows mostly in winter and is now fenced to keep out stock and preserve space for native wildlife and birds. Tree planting of native species is on-going together with riparian plants along the stream frontage and dam.
