'Of all the 'new' Victorian vineyard regions planted in recent decades, none has created more excitement than Heathcote. Its potential for red wines of the highest quality is truly exciting, and the physical beauty of places like McIvor Estate make it a 'must visit' location not all that far from Melbourne. Nestled among lovely forested hills with picturesque views, it is an operational vineyard and mixed-farming property producing high-quality grapes from both French and Italian varieties for typically regional table wines, as well as good olives and beef cattle.' Ralph Kyte-Powell
The true story of the man McIvor remains a mystery. Surveyor? Bushie? Station Overseer? Local pioneer? Whatever the legend, his notoriety named a region, upon which the McIvor Estate vineyard now thrives.
Owners Gary and Cynthia Harbor have paid close attention to the region's slightly cooler temperate and have planted varietals that prosper under such conditions. Marsanne, roussanne, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, as well as Italian varietals sangiovese and nebbiolo are part of the McIvor Estate offering, as is, of course, shiraz, for which the region is most acclaimed. The Harbor's have produced a regional benchmark example of this variety in their McIvor Estate Shiraz 2005, winner of the coveted Premier's Gold Trophy at the 2007 Royal Melbourne Wine Show. The terrain of the region results in wines of elegance and finesse that reward short to medium term cellaring.
Gary and Cynthia have modelled their place on an Italian mixed farm, paying homage to Cynthia's Italian heritage. On the weekends, the cellar doors are flung open and the outdoor wood-fired oven gets a workout with home-style pizzas and wet dishes on special occasions. Olive oil is also produced under the McIvor Estate label, and available for purchase in small quantities.
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Napoleone and Co Cider is made by the winemakers at Punt Road Wines from their own estate grown fruit and is fermented like wine not brewed like traditional cider. Now you can get a taste of their refreshing Apple and Pear ciders – enter and you could win one of four mixed half cases »
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