The Bendigo Wine Region is dominated by red wine varieties, less than 10 percent of the wine produced in the region is white wine. As is the case in most Australian wine regions the dominant red wine variety is Shiraz.
The history of this region starts with gold. The city of Bendigo and many of the surrounding towns were settled during the gold rush era 150 years ago. There are plenty of historic buildings remaining from that era giving an atmosphere of solidity. The wines are firm and solid as well reinforcing the emphasis on permanence.
A wine industry developed in Bendigo almost as soon as the diggers discovered that mining was thirsty work. By the end of the nineteenth century the combined effects of the Phyloxerra pest and economics destroyed Bendigo's wine industry, and nothing much happened for the next seventy years.
Since about 1970 Bendigo has developed as part of the Australian wine revival generally. Balgownie Estate is credited with restarting the wine industry in the region. There are no large companies in the region, but plenty of small to medium operators.
Bendigo's Terroir
Bendigo's position on the northern slopes of the great dividing range gives it a warm continental climate with dry summers and autumns, ideal for premium red wine production.
What sets this region apart from other Australian regions is its high percentage of red wine produced, and Shiraz outscores Cabernet by about two to one. Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties including Malbec and Cabernet Franc are also used.
Among the alternative wine varieties there is some Sangiovese and Tempranillo. A couple of wineries in the cooler southern end of the region are using Barbera and Nebbiolo, while other wineries have their eyes on Southern Italian varieties.
Vinodiversity has a list of wineries using alternative grape varieties in the Bendigo wine region.
What to look for in Bendigo wines.
There is certainly more than Shiraz wine in Bendigo but the popular red wine variety is a good place to start. The warm climate develops the richer, riper fruit flavours in shiraz. A few wineries are using a small percentage of Viognier blended with Shiraz. This lifts the colour and fruit aromas of the wine but you could argue that in this region the Viognier is superfluous. The box-ironbark forests in the region sometimes impart a slight Eucalyptus nose to the wines.
Cabernet Sauvignon is the second most popular red variety. It is often blended, up to thirty percent or so, with Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc or Shiraz to round out the palate.
2004 was probably best of the recent vintages, but excellent wines have been made in this region over most of this decade.
Wine authority James Halliday awards four wineries in the Bendigo region with 5 stars - Blackjack, Bress, Pondalowie Vineyards and Turners Crossing Vineyards. I would add Water Wheel for value wines and Sutton Grange for blazing the trail with new varieties. Two lesser known wineries worth seeking out are Glenwillow in the south of the region, and Shiraz specialist Rivergate to the north east.
Wine touring in the Bendigo region
Bendigo is easily accessible from Melbourne via the Calder Highway or by train. The legacy of historic buildings and the wine industry are the two pillars of tourism in the area.
Many of the wineries have cellar doors open for wine tasting. A car, or a hired limousine is essential. There are many other activities and attractions in Bendigo, hence you should consider extending your wine tour for a few days at least.
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