Bendigo Wine Region Regular visitors to Bendigo fondly refer to it as 'The Winemakers Region' as a visitor to cellar door will often meet the winemakers, sleeves rolled up, tending their vines or working in the winery. As with other Victorian regions, the early vineyards in Bendigo fell victim to both phylloxera and the economic crash and it was not until the late 1960s that a new vineyard was planted by local identity, Stuart Anderson. Many followed his example, with shiraz and cabernet sauvignon the most common plantings. Bendigo Wineries   Balgownie Estate An award-winning winery established in 1969. The cellar door outlet boasts a wine tasting and sales area, café and wine musuem. Hermitage Road, Maiden Gully - Ph +61 3 5449 6222 Blackjack Vineyards Specialising in big reds, the cellar door is well worth a visit, but ring before hand as it is only open while stocks are available. Calder Highway, Harcourt - Ph +61 3 5474 2355 Chateau Leamon Chateau Leamon produced its first wine in 1977 and quickly established a reputation for premium wines. 5528 Calder Highway, Bendigo - Ph +61 3 5447 7995 Langanook Wines A small secluded vineyard and winery in Sutton Grange producing premium table wines. The vines were planted in 1985 and are unirrigated. 91 McKittericks Road, Sutton Grange - Ph +61 3 5474 8250 Lynnevale Estate A winery and modern homestead style retreat located in the heart of the Bendigo wine growing region. 83 Cahills Road, Bendigo - Ph +61 3 5439 3635 Water Wheel Vineyards Situated on the banks of the Loddon River. Watch winemaking in progress from the cellar door surrounded by hectares of thriving vines. Raywood Road, Bridgewater on Loddon - Ph +61 3 5437 3060

Bendigo Quick facts Population approximately 88,000 The richest goldfields in the world in the 1880s Prior to European settlement the area was occupied by the Jaara Aborigines. Bendigo is a charming and elegant regional city that displays an opulent heritage in its impressive nineteenth century 'boom town' architecture. In the geographical centre of Victoria, the city is an ideal base to explore Victoria’s golden heritage. In the centre of town, historic sandstone buildings nestle amongst century-old gardens and established trees. Explore the city sidewalk cafés, art galleries and antique stores. Bendigo Major events Australian Jigganaughting Championships – February Bendigo International Maddison – March Eaglehawk Dalia and Arts Festival – March The Bendigo Easter Festival – April Bendigo Wine Festival – April Bendigo Antique Fair – April Chrysanthemum Championships – April Bendigo Eisteddfod – June National Sheep and Wool Show – July Breeders Crown – August Gorgeous Voices Festival – August (biennial) Spring in the Bendigo Bush – September Bendigo Heritage Uncorked – October Elmore Field Days – October Bendigo Agricultural Show – October Bendigo Cup – November National Swap Meet – November.