The magic of Heathcote lies in the remarkable strip of soil starting 20 Kilometres southeast of the town of Heathcote, continuing until just south of the town, then immediately turning north and running along the Mount Ida Range, and thereafter the Mount Carmel Range, for a distance of over 60 Kilometres. Viewed from the air, the red soil country is a spectacular scene: square or oblong patterns of vivid red alternate with verdant green rows of vines. The prized soil is decomposed Cambrian-era igneous intrusion rock known as Greenstone, created 500 million years ago and forming the once higher spine of the Mount Carmel Range. Progressive weathering caused the spine to move down the side of the range, covering sedimentary layers which now form the subsoil. It has the all important combination of being well drained while keeping good moisture retention capacity. JAMES HALLIDAY
Soil type announces itself in Heathcote like nowhere else. The region lies on a geographical fault and tumultuous activity over 100s of millions of years has exposed, amongst other things, ancient Cambrian rock estimated at 500 million years old intermixed with a diverse range of soils.
It's no doubt that shiraz has reigned supreme in this part of the world for some time with some of the best examples in the country being made here. More recently Mediterranean varietals like sangiovese are finding a very welcome home and are producing some really exciting wines. The latest addition, and an exciting one at that is the arrival of grenache with some surprisingly excellent versions heralding another shift in the varietal landscape of the region.
Whatever the varietal make-up Heathcote always seems to put its stamp on any wine with luscious fruit underpinned by firm but fine tannins and a denseness and gravitas to the wines that remain buoyant and remarkably fresh.
This will be an exciting trip to one of Victoria's premier wine-growing regions with a combo of young guns and established stars joining us.
