Heathcote Winery, established in 1978, was one of the first commercial wineries in Heathcote. The building dates back to 1854 when Thomas Craven established ‘Craven’s Stores’ to cater for the produce needs of the huge influx of gold miners seeking their fortune in the heady gold rush days.

Craven, an entrepreneurial type, also ran a coach service (depicted in our logo) from stables behind Cellar Door, delivering supplies and mail around Central Victoria, hence the significance of the ‘Mail Coach’ range.

In 1997 the winery was purchased by an independent group of wine enthusiasts led by Stephen Wilkins. Stephen and his partners share a passionate commitment to produce wines reflective of the Heathcote Region but distinctly Heathcote Winery. The wines attest to this commitment, delivering concentrated fruit aromas and flavours and intense colour, but with a finishing elegance enhanced by splashes of viognier.

Heathcote Winery is now meeting the demand for wines truly reflective of the region, but with the Winery’s individual stamp of innovation and excellence.

Why Heathcote?

The Central Heathcote area, with its own unique micro-climate, has the ability to produce shiraz styles with power yet elegance, voluptuous fruit flavour when young, tending towards flavours through the dark red fruit spectrum but avoiding stewed fruit characters. Natural tannins seem to find their balance, adding length to the palate.

Winter rains are followed by cold spring nights, a little more rain, and then warm dry conditions through to harvest. The Heathcote red soils, deriving from Cambrian greenstone, are free draining and a touch hungry. Yields are naturally low.

The pioneers of Heathcote have created superb shiraz, reflecting minimal intervention, and the natural attributes of the area have been prominent in the wines. We share this passion to produce great shiraz from our own vineyards, but with an individual handprint that stamps our wine as, Heathcote Winery Heathcote Shiraz.