Established in 1978, Heathcote Winery’s founding owners began the legacy by planting Newlans Lane vineyard. It was only after the vineyard was planted, that the founders built the winery in 1981. The original site hosted many varieties including Traminer and Pinot Noir, but as consumer preferences evolved, so too did the understanding of the region. Over the years, experience showed that the Heathcote region was ideal for Shiraz, and with this knowledge, the original owners grafted large sections of the plantings.

Years later, in 1997 Heathcote Winery was purchased by an independent group of wine enthusiasts led by Stephen Wilkins. Now the owner with his wife Denise, the pair share a passionate commitment to produce wines that reflect the region while retaining the winery’s renowned style. Over the twenty-nine years of the pair owning the winery, the Mail Coach Shiraz has consistently won medals at various wine shows. Now, the winery focuses exclusively on the local Heathcote Wine Awards, with its Grenache Rosé awarded the trophy for Best Rosé twice in recent years.

Sitting at eleven hectares under vine on-site, several styles and labels of shiraz are at the heart of the winery’s premium production. The critically acclaimed Mail Coach Shiraz and Single Vineyard Slaughterhouse Paddock Shiraz are just two of the notable wines in its repertoire, highlighting the winery’s focus on quality production. Heathcote Winery’s Cellar Door and adjacent art gallery are housed in a restored 1854 miners produce store built by Thomas Craven.

The gallery showcases the work of local artists throughout the year with rotating exhibitions. Heathcote Winery is one of the original commercial wineries in the region. Its prominent position on the town’s main street and its accessible seven-day trading, makes it a popular destination for tourists travelling through central Victoria. The Cellar Door sells a diverse range of local produce, artisan cheeses, cured meats and homewares, also offering tea, coffee, wine flights and ‘build your own’ cheese platters daily, all of which can be enjoyed in the grapevine-covered courtyard or in the charming art gallery by the fire.