Located at the northern end of the Great Dividing Range, Lake Cooper Estate sits on a stretch of ancient, Cambrian-period land, which exhibits beautiful red clay-loam soil that is rich in both calcium and sodium. In the 1860s, German immigrant Henning Rathjen cultivated the first vines in Heathcote. However, it wasn’t until a century later that locals realised the area was exceptional for cultivating grapes, especially shiraz.

Established in 1998 by Geraldine and Gerry McHarg, Lake Cooper Estate specialises in drybodied varietals. The first shiraz vines were planted on 12-hectares of land, which quickly grew to 18-hectares. While shiraz is Lake Cooper Estate’s flagship variety, cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc, and a small planting of merlot and verdelho are also grown on-site.

Nestled on the tail of the Mount Camel range, the winery boasts picturesque views of Lake Cooper, Lake Green and the township of Corop. An advocate of the ‘inaction’ philosophy, the winery minimizes the artificial modification of wine, allowing proper preservation of the unique flavour of the winery’s grapes.

Since its inception, Lake Cooper Estate has been committed to producing high-quality wine that’s characteristic of the Heathcote region. The winery’s new owner, Li Ping, champions traditional French-brewing technology, which ensures Lake Cooper Estate’s wines exude a noble elegance. Lake Cooper Estate’s focus is to minimise the artificial modification of wine, which preserves the unique flavours of the grapes.

A striking new restaurant, accommodation and spa facilities are now also available. For the complete safari experience, visitors are encouraged to stay overnight in one of the winery’s luxurious tents.