Heathcote is located in central Victoria and is approximately one and a half hours drive north from Melbourne. There are two ways to approach Heathcote from Melbourne and either way, the eyes and mind are taken through some of Victoria’s most beautiful country. Coming from Tullamarine Airport, one heads towards Sunbury but turns off to the right to head through Lancefield, passing by some of Victoria’s dramatic granite outcrops. This is a somewhat windy road, without the luxury of freeway travel. This road meets the Northern Highway at Tooborac, the Southern extremity of the Heathcote region.

The slightly less adventurous route is via the Hume Highway until one comes to the Kilmore turnoff on the right hand side, heading North. The journey then takes you through Kilmore Township and onto Heathcote. Be sure to drop into the Heathcote Tourist Information Booth to pick up a Vineyard cellar door guide. Enjoy!

Cambrian Earth       Heathcote G.I.C. Boundary
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The Portet family holds possibly an unmatched record in the Australian wine Industry. Dominique is the ninth generation in his family to be committed to winemaking, yet he is the first to establish a winery and label bearing the family name.

 


Winemaker, Dominique Portet.

The son of André Portet, régisseur (vineyard & winery manager) of Chateau Lafite-Rothschild in Pauillac, Dominique’s training began at one of the world’s most illustrious red wine properties. He was the uniquely qualified at the Montpellier University of Oenology and during a compulsory one year military service was the legions wine purchasing adviser. With each French soldier receiving his daily wine ration, the army’s morale was at stake! Further enhancing his qualifications, Dominique spent vintages in the Médoc, the Rhone Valley, Provence and with world Champagne giant Moët et Chandon. Since 1976 and with 22 years as managing director at Taltarni Vineyards, he has lived in Australia to create a family. Dominique Portet sources his Heathcote grapes from a vineyard which is entirely on Cambrian earth, situated on the West face of Mount Camel.

Dominique's comments on the Dominique Portet 2001 Heathcote Shiraz:
The fruit was grown at Heathcote and was picked at full flavour maturity. The grapes were fermented and macerated for 17 days in stainless steel tanks before being transferred to barrel. The oak used was Allier, Nevers, and Troncais, with some American oak as well to enhance the sweetness of the fruit. The wine spent 16 months in oak, and has been bottled for 6 months before its release. For me, it is a warm generous wine, almost juicy. It reminds me of a ripe plum just picked from the tree. There is lots of flavour.  It is dark-red in colour. On the nose, there is white pepper, spice, dark cherry, wildflowers (French, not Australian), a hint of leather and tar. The palate has richness, and the fruit and oak are in excellent balance.  The finish is very long. Aging potential: 5 to 8 years minimum.It is a wine to savour. We have found it likes to breathe, so recommend opening it a little ahead of drinking time.

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