Five Bendigo wineries named Best Cellar Door by Gourmet Traveller WINE

Five Bendigo wineries have been recognised in the Gourmet Traveller WINE’s 10th annual Best Cellar Door Awards 2021.

The award-winning wineries are Mandurang Valley Wines, Sutton Grange Winery, BlackJack Wines, Balgownie Estate and Killiecrankie Wines.

Each year, the magazine’s leading wine writers scour every region in search of star wineries, top tasting experiences and places that serve first-class food, and in Bendigo they found a wonderful window into changing wine trends.

Mandurang Valley Wines was awarded the coveted Star Cellar Door, with Wes and Pam Vine at the helm, joined by son, Steve, who manages the estate vineyard, while grandson Oliver (only 19 years old) assists with the winemaking.

Sutton Grange Winery was named Best Large Cellar Door, open every weekend for seated tastings, with weekend lunches by guest restaurants.

Balgownie Estate was awarded Cellar Door with Best Food & Accommodation, open every day and featuring glamping tents that overlook the vineyard and bush setting.

With cellar doors open weekend, BlackJack Wines was named the region’s Best Tasting Experience and Killiecrankie Wines the Best Additional Cellar Door Experience (Art and Concerts).

Bendigo Winegrowers Association Vice-President Ken Gilchrist says, “This is such wonderful news for the Bendigo region after the year we’ve had, and our wineries love having visitors and locals back to their cellar doors.

“Being recognised like this for quality wines and cellar door experiences is always a boost for the region,” says Ken.

Gourmet Traveller WINE writer, Brendan Black, had high praise for the Bendigo region.

“…The city has developed dramatically in terms of its art and food culture, with excellent restaurants and cafes, and a world-class art gallery. Bendigo’s winemakers have also stayed busy, moving with the times in an effort to satisfy the modern push for more fruit-forward, easy-drinking wines…There is still power to be found, mixed with equal parts of elegance and flavour, creating some of the state’s most compelling wines,” he says.

For the location and opening times of these award-winning cellar doors, visit our Wineries page