Woven throughout the vines of Sanguine Estate is a rich family heritage, framed by spectacular views of the Heathcote region. The estates founders, Tony and Lyn Hunter, purchased the property in 1995, planting the first vines two years later. But the estate’s wine infused story began generations earlier.

Pietro D’Orsa was the original vigneron in the Hunter family. Travelling from the Swiss Italian border to Victoria in the 1800s, he brought with him invaluable winemaking knowledge and vine cuttings which would shape the family’s future. Even though the Sanguine Estate was established generations later, D’Orsa’s pioneering spirit continues to form the philosophy of the estate today.

This legacy lives on through a commitment to both tradition and innovation. Alongside its acclaimed Shiraz and Mediterranean varieties such as Tempranillo, Nebbiolo and Lagrein, Sanguine Estate crafts Heathcote’s first White Shiraz and the unique D’Orsa Blanc: a luscious sweet wine that honours a rare, unidentified vine discovered among Pietro D’Orsa’s original plantings, complemented by Verdejo and Viognier.

From humble beginnings with just a single Shiraz, Sanguine Estate now boasts a collection of twenty-one small-batch wines, including sparkling, rosé, elegant whites, and medium to fuller-bodied reds, each reflecting the character of the Heathcote region. Guests are welcome into the barrel room, an immersive experience within the working winery as they catch a rare glimpse of the winemaking process.

Beyond wine, guests can indulge in create-your- own platters from a thoughtfully curated selection of artisan cheeses, cured meats, local produce, and delicious condiments, designed to perfectly complement the wines. Under winemaker, Mark Hunter, Sanguine Estate has amassed more than eighty trophies, fifty top magazine rankings and 1100 medals from Heathcote, State, National and International wine shows and reviewers. In the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion, Sanguine Estate ranked within the top eight per cent of Australian wineries. At the Heathcote Wine Show, Sanguine Estate was awarded the coveted Heathcote Wine of Provenance Trophy, an award that recognises excellence and consistency over multiple years. Sanguine Estate has claimed this honour eight times in the twelve years the trophy has been awarded.