Macedon Ranges Region

Location
 Zone - Port Phillip
State - Victoria

Map Reference
 Latitude 37 degrees and 16 minutes South
Longitude 144 degrees and 25 minutes East

Elevation
 400 - 600 metres above sea level

Subregions
 Nil

Introduction
 New Region that recently has been added to the Geographical Indicators.

It is a relatively cool area and therefore site selection is of paramount importance. Altitude, shelter from wind and spring frosts, greatest sun exposure by utilising north and northeast facing slopes, as well as careful matching of site to grape variety leading to canopy management and keeping low yields are all essentials for success.

In spite of this the area continues to grow at a quite rapid pace assisted by its proximity to Melbourne. Its beauty and lifestyle are obvious factors contributing to the regions success. However the size of the wineries is relatively small.
Primary Grape Varieties
White
 Chardonnay 55 ha
Riesling 5 ha
Sauvignon Blanc 5 ha
Semillon 5 ha
Gewurztraminer 5 ha
Pinot Gris 5 ha
Total White 80 ha
Red
 Pinot Noir 55 ha
Shiraz 20 ha
Cabernet Sauvignon 20 ha
Merlot 10 ha
Cabernet Franc 5 ha
Other 5 ha
Total Red 115 ha
Primary Wine Styles

Sparkling
The prevalence of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the vineyards corroborates what the climatic statistics advocate. This is an exceptionally good region for the production of sparkling wine, which is confirmed by a number of well-known boutique brands. The intense flavours and high natural acidity of the base wines encourages the use of advanced winemaking methods.

Sauvignon Blanc
Scarcely grown and produced, however frequently it is absolutely spectacular in flavour.

Chardonnay
Fine, elegant, lightly structured and potentially long-lived wines are the result from plantings around Mount Macedon. The warmer sites in the lower altitude and the warmer years give fuller flavoured styles.

Pinot Noir
Pinot noir is used both to produce sparkling and table wines with equal success. Here the match of climate and wine variety is instantly obvious. Fine and leaning towards lighter bodied in style, these are wines of real value in the overall scheme of Australian wines.

Shiraz
Taking under consideration that it is a rather late ripening variety that generally is found in warm to hot regions, this may come as a surprise, that three wineries introduced consumers for the first time to the remarkable pepper and spice, liquorice and black cherry aromas and flavours of authentically cool climate Shiraz.

Cabernet Sauvignon and blends
As the plantings indicate it is an important variety when blended with Shiraz but also as a single varietal wine in warm years.