The Australian Bucket List

Victoria

RutherglenOne of Victoria's most famous food and wine destinations, boasting more than 20 award-winning wineries, along with a myriad of restaurants, cafes and outdoor activities!

One of the oldest wine-growing areas in Australia and long known for its fortified wines, Rutherglen, in Victoria's High Country, continues to pioneer winemaking thanks to the innovations of the next generation of regional wine families. Wander through town and see the gold rush heritage reflected in the historic buildings now housing antique and bric-a-brac shops, tearooms and restaurants. Enterprising winemakers have been taking advantage of the fertile land and mild climate around Rutherglen since the early 1800s, producing the renowned fortified wines, robust reds and crisp white wines. Visit modern cellar doors and meet fourth and fifth-generation winemakers who are combining family traditions with cutting-edge techniques to keep Rutherglen on the map. With cellar doors aplenty and bountiful local produce, great dining is par for the course. Local producers are justifiably proud of their honey, trout, Murray cod, cherries, berries, nuts, chutneys and preserves. Pick up a picnic hamper or stock up on supplies to take home with you. Stop into the Rutherglen Wine Experience and Visitor Information Centre for premium wine tastings and local advice. Hire a bike and set off along the Muscat Trail past river red gum and secluded billabongs, taking in 10 local wineries. Keep the momentum up along the Pedal to Produce Cycle Trail and cruise past local orchards, wineries and cafes. Alternatively, hit the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail along the mighty Murray River. Popular local events include the Tastes of Rutherglen in March, Tour de Rutherglen (cycling) in October, and Rutherglen Winery Walkabout in June. Rutherglen is approximately 290 kilometres north-east of Melbourne or about three hours by car via the Hume Highway.

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Things to do

Have lunch at Jones Winery & Vineyard

The team at Jones Winery and Vineyard are real people with real vineyards, making real wines and serving real food in their restaurant. They are lucky to have one of the most beautiful little cellar doors and restaurants in Victoria, dating back to the 1860's. Mandy Jones, a fifth-generation winemaker, is a modernist in her approach to handcrafting wines from grapes grown by her brother, Arthur. Their wines have power and brightness of fruit that could only be made from their very own patch of Rutherglen dirt. Jones' wines include the prestigious L.J, made from 113-year old shiraz and grenache vines, as well as fiano, marsanne, rosé, malbec, shiraz and durif plus fortifieds like the unique Apero, Old Tawny and everyone's favourite - Classic Muscat. Then there's the delightful, vermouth-style Correll. The restaurant serves delectable French food using seasonal, local produce. They are currently open for lunch from Thursday to Saturday for ready-made meals for pick-up and delivery. See the website for more details.

Visit Scion Winery

Scion is a progressive Rutherglen winery offering a creative and modern interpretation of the region's traditional varietals. Located in the Rutherglen wine region in North East Victoria, the cellar door is nestled in the natural landscape just 2km south of the township. Scion grows and handcrafts wines in small batches – from aromatic afternoon whites to elegant reds and delicate dessert wines. Self-taught winemaker Rowly Milhinch is a descendant of George Francis Morris, one of Australia’s most renowned vignerons of the mid-19th Century. Formerly a graphic designer, Rowly applies creative thinking to his winemaking to craft dynamic wine styles. His style represents modern Rutherglen, with an elegance inspired by France and good food. A personalised wine experience awaits visitors to our Cellar Door, which has featured three times in the Gourmet Traveller Wine Best Australian Cellar Door Awards (including twice for Best Cellar Door in Rutherglen).

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