mmg.com.au

Harvesting is about to begin at Nagambie’s vineyards, and winemakers are hoping for a bumper haul to fill their cellars and tempt visitors to the region.

Mitchelton Wines winemaker Luke Boucher is expecting a good harvest from the vineyard's 154ha of vines when picking of white wine grapes begins about mid-February.

‘‘We should get some good fruit,’’ he said.

From Mitchelton’s iconic viewing tower you can see the green vines spread across the property, from the picnic area by the river towards the Strathbogie Ranges — and it’s a view worth making the trip for.

Down the road, Tahbilk Winery staff are also preparing to start picking from their 215ha of vines, as well as getting ready to take wine-buffs deep into their historic cellars to share old and young drops.

Both vineyards have a swag of awards to their names. In 40 years Mitchelton has won three championships, 62 trophies, 336 gold medals and 767 silver medals, while Tahbilk has an entire wall in its cellar door displaying its 151 years of awards.

Winemakers say the wine from the region is so good because of the area's unique meso-climate.

The large amount of water from the Goulburn River and wetlands provides cooler nights at the end of warm, sunny days, and the soil is red sandy loam, which is only found in one other part of Victoria.

Together Mitchelton and Tahbilk produce about 250,000 cases of wine a year, which is sold locally, interstate and exported overseas.

While Mitchelton is a modern vineyard, producing its first wines in 1973, Tahbilk is a mixture of old and new.

Techniques used when Tahbilk opened in 1860 are still employed today for some red wine production.

‘‘It’s a real working winery here, there’s a lot of handling,’’ general projects co-ordinator Carol McLean said.

The history of the winery provides a fascinating shapshot of the past and the region — the property was once the largest gathering point in the area, so doubled as the local church for a time.

Ms McLean said while members of the Purbrick family had been involved with the winery for five generations, none of the buildings were named after them — they all bear names of employees.

The winery’s history can be learnt on guided tours, which need to be pre-booked, or on a self-guided tour if you drop by for a tasting at the cellar door.

Meanwhile, over at Mitchelton, the crew is preparing for some ‘‘massive changes’’ expected in the next 12 months.

One expected change is the recommencement of river cruises that allow wine tasters to drift between vineyards and leave the car at home.

Some vineyards to visit while in the area:

Tahbilk Winery, 254 O'Neils Rd,Tabilk. Ph: 03 5794 2555. www.tahbilk.com.au

Mitchelton Wines, Mitchelstown Rd, Nagambie. Ph: 03 5736 2221. www.mitchelton.com.au

Plunkett Fowles, cnr Hume Fwy and Lambing Gully Rd, Avenel. Ph: 03 5796 2150. www.plunkettfowles.com.au

Longleat Wines, 105 Old Weir Rd, Murchison. Ph: 03 5826 2294. www.murchisonwines.com.au