Avenel
Tahbilk
While young Ned was attending school at Avenel, nearby at Tahbilk the first grapes were being harvested. Today, these same Shiraz vines continue to bear fruit and are considered the oldest Shiraz vines in the world. The fruit is used for the most prized wine of the region the Tahbilk 1860 Shiraz. While a wine of this pedigree carries a hefty price tag, it has a huge cellar potential. Open a bottle and discover a wine with bramble and plum fruit matched by wonderful earthy tones, huge tannins and tremendous length. An amazing drop indeed. Tahbilk also offer a more affordable, yet equally as rare, white called Marsanne whose origins date back to the Rhone Valley in France. Like a Hunter Semillon, this wine is racy and fresh when young. And like Tahbilk’s more expensive Shiraz, Marsanne has a great cellar potential. Left to mature the wine takes on a rich mellow character with distinct honeysuckle flavourings. The heritage listed Tahbilk boasts the oldest and largest planting of this variety of grape in the world. With many of the equipment, including the polished oak fermenting vats, and buildings dating back to Ned's time still in use this winery is a must visit.

Plunkett Wines
Although established in 1968 Plunkett Wines present vineyard got under way in 1991. It is located at the corner of the Hume Freeway and Lambing Gully Road and produces Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Merlot. The cellar door is open seven days a week from 11am to 5pm with dinners available on Friday and Saturday nights at the restaurant.

Mansfield
Delatite
Not far from the scenes of Stringybark Creek you will discover the vineyards of Delatite, which are among the coolest and highest in the country. Planted in the early 1970s the vineyard produces wines of strikingly intense fruit. An Australian benchmark in the Gewurztraminer variety is Delatite’s Dead Man’s Hill, with its wonderful mix of lychee and blossom characters, peachy fruit and a lively crisp finish. This wine alone is well worth a visit to their cellar door.

Glenrowan
Bailey Winery
Situated seven kilometres from Glenrowan the Bailey winery, on Taminick Gap Road, boasts a direct link to Ned. For it was here in the mid 1870s that Kelly worked as a fencer on the property. Ned’s liking of Claret, with his favourite meal of lamb roast and green peas, is well documented. And it is possible his passion for a drop began here. Unfortunately the original vines were wiped out by phyloxera, however the Shiraz replacements planted in the early 1900s not only remain but continue to produce consistently stunning wine. The minute yields result in material of great depth of flavour, driven by a rich, plumy varietal flavours. Bailey's has also become renowned for its fortified wines, particularly their Port, Muscat and Tokay varieties. For a fitting nightcap try the slightly drier finish and subtle tea-leaf character of Bailey’s Tokay. Attractions around the winery include the original granite stables, a blacksmith’s shop, a small museum, free electric barbecues and a picnic area. Bailey’s are open weekdays from 9am to 5pm and weekends from 10am to 5pm.

Auldstone Cellars
Located in Booths Road at Taminick — head north for 8 kilometres then turn right onto Booths Road — Auldstone Cellars was originally established in 1891. While the original stone winery has been retained, albeit renovated, the vineyard, reopened in 1987, produces a large range including Shiraz, Sparkling Shiraz, Muscat, Chardonnay, Riesling and Cabernet. The cellar door is open from Thursday to Sunday and every day in the school holidays. Gourmet lunches are available on weekends and there is a picnic area with barbecue facilities and playground.

HJT Vineyards
A small family enterprise located about 10 kilometres west of Glenrowan on Keenan Road, near Lake Mokoan, HJT Vineyards produce table wines and are open Friday to Sunday and public holidays. Also to be found at Taminick is the Booth Vineyard, a family-owned enterprise which was established in 1892 and is opened daily. Located on Booths Road, just past Auldstone, on the opposite side, this winery has become known throughout the industry for its high-baum red table wines, dry reds, dry whites and vintage port including Trebbiano, Semillon, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Further Information
03 5766 2237 Auldstone Cellars
03 5766 2392 Bailey Winery Glenrowan
03 5766 2282 Booth Taminick Cellars
03 5766 2252 HJT Vineyards
03 5796 2150 Plunkett Wines