Top cellar doors in the Macedon Ranges

It may be the coolest wine region in mainland Australia, but you’ll find a warm welcome and unpretentious cellar doors. In fact, you’re likely to have your glass filled by the winemakers themselves.

From boutique family-run wineries to acclaimed cool-climate producers, we take a look at the Macedon Ranges cellar doors that deserve a place on your must-visit list.

For an even richer experience, plan your trip around the annual Budburst Festival, happening on 14-15 November, when wineries across the region come alive with special tastings, curated menus, art exhibitions, sculpture walks and live music. Explore at your own pace or leave the driving to the designated Budburst bus routes.

HANGING ROCK WINERY, NEWHAM

Celebrating more than 40 years of winemaking, Hanging Rock Winery is one of the great pillars of the region, offering more than 20 estate-grown wines, paired with spectacular views of Hanging Rock and Mount Macedon. Relax with a gourmet picnic platter on the vineyard lawns, sample the properties naturally raised Speckle Park beef, and explore the acclaimed Art in the Vines sculpture exhibition (on display from October to April each year).
Open: Seven day a week

MOUNT TOWRONG VINEYARD, MOUNT MACEDON

The remarkable cellar door at Mount Towrong was designed by architect Paul Couch. Visitors sigh in appreciation when they first see the sliding reclaimed timber front door, and the uber cool style continues from there. This winery is dedicated to producing Italian wine varietals such as prosecco, ribolla gialla, vermentino, nebbiolo, negroamaro and lagrein. These exciting varietals complement the carefully curated Italian-inspired menu, featuring handmade pasta.
Open: Friday and Saturday (lunch and dinner) | Sunday (lunch only)

LYONS WILL ESTATE, LANCEFIELD

You will feel as though you’ve been transported to rural Tuscany as sip on signature varietals such as pinot noir, chardonnay, riesling and gamay at this stunning light-filled tasting cellar door. Expect a friendly and lively welcome from vignerons and owners, Ollie and Renata, and if you’re into wine talk, a granular, knowledgeable conversation on their favourite topic.
Open: Friday to Sunday

MOUNT MONUMENT, ROMSEY

True to its name, Mount Monument is truly monumental in both vision and execution, with sculptures scattered over the expansive landscape. Created by Nonda Katsalidis, the architect behind MONA and Eureka Tower, the style and sculptures flow inside, and the cellar door and adjoining restaurant is extraordinary. Extend your stay by booking into one of their stunning eco-friendly retreats.
Open: Thursday to Sunday

PARAMOOR WINERY, CARLSRUHE

Paramoor Winery is a hidden jewel, thriving in a cool climate that nurtures the slow ripening of its 20-year-old pinot noir, riesling and pinot gris vines. Holding a five star rating with Halliday’s Wine Companion, here the cellar door is house within a beautifully restored, original Clydesdale barn, providing a rustic and nostalgic setting.
Open: Saturday and Sunday

MOUNT MACEDON WINERY, WOODEND

Follow a narrow forest trail and into a clearing to find this high-altitude cellar door and restaurant. Sitting at almost 700m above sea level, Mount Macedon Winery offers the signature styles of the region: sparkling, chardonnay and pinot noir. Food options include wood-fired pizza and hearty, seasonal shared dishes in UUMM Restaurant, or a seasonal á la carte menu with optional wine pairing in the Cellar Door. The views are amazing, enhanced by the highland cows that call the verdant slopes home.
Open: Wednesday to Sunday (lunch) | Friday & Saturday (lunch and dinner)

HESKET ESTATE, HESKET

The rustic and welcoming cellar door at Hesket Estate is located within what was once a shearing shed. Nowadays, this cleverly transformed space is the ideal spot for tasting their distinctive small batch wines including sparkling, gewürztraminer, riesling, chardonnay and pinot noir. Cosy up beside the double-sided fireplace with a cheese platter in winter. Or sit outside under the gorgeous liquid ambers and ash trees on warmer days taking in the stunning Macedon Ranges views (with Hanging Rock Reserve a short 4-minute drive away).
Open: Saturday and Sunday

KYNETON RIDGE ESTATE, KYNETON

Located just outside Kyneton and reached via a winding dirt laneway framed by giant granite boulders, Kyneton Ridge Estate is recognised as the Macedon Ranges' first certified sustainable vineyard. Enjoy sweeping views across the ranges from the striking cellar door, which also houses an art space and Ridge Café, where you can tuck into tasty seasonal dishes and European-style grazing plates.
Open: Saturday and Sunday

GRANITE HILLS WINERY, BAYNTON

Granite Hills is an icon of the region, with vines planted back in the 1970s. A host of compelling wines are on offer; there’s pinot blanc, gruner veltliner, riesling, gamay, pinot noir and blended heavier reds. A regional pioneer, their wines have won countless awards and are held in the highest esteem amongst those in the know. Conoisseurs will love the experience, along with the beautiful scenery.
Open: Seven days a week

CURLY FLAT VINEYARD, LANCEFIELD

Tucked away down a quiet country lane near Lancefield, Curly Flat offers an intimate cellar door experience. Tastings are seated and relaxed, often hosted by the people behind the wines themselves, with a focus on the estate's acclaimed pinot noir and chardonnay. Housed in a character-filled farmhouse overlooking the vineyard, it's the kind of place where a tasting can easily stretch into an afternoon.
Open: Monday to Sunday

CLEVELAND ESTATE, LANCEFIELD

Stepping down into Cleveland Winery’s underground cellar door is reminiscent of visiting a Burgundian winery, and the team here backs it up with quality pinot noir and chardonnay – two grapes one associates with Burgundy. You can also choose to stay on, taking advantage of their recently refurbished accommodation, restaurant and sweeping vineyard views.
Open: Friday to Sunday

COBAW RIDGE, PASTORIA

Perched high in the Macedon Ranges in a natural amphitheatre of granitic soils, Cobaw Ridge is the passion project of Alan and Nelly Cooper. This family-owned, certified biodynamic winery produces acclaimed chardonnay, pinot noir, syrah and lagrein, all grown and made on-site. The drive in winds through native bushland to a rustic mud-brick cellar door, where you can chat with Alan over a tasting while taking in views across the vineyard.
Open: Saturday and Sunday

ATTWOODS WINES, GLENLYON

Attwoods Wines is home to a beautiful cellar door overlooking rolling vineyards and leafy gardens. Pull up a seat on the terraced deck and work your way through the à la carte grazing menu, with a mix of smaller and larger dishes designed to share. Alongside the food, enjoy a glass of pét-nat, chardonnay, rosé, pinot noir or shiraz crafted by winemaker Troy Walsh, all while taking in the vineyard views.
Open: Friday to Monday