Bendigo

Also known as Bendigo-Heathcote, the GI wine growing region in the Australian state of Victoria, 160 kilometres northwest of Melbourne. The city that gave its name to the region was the centre of the great gold rush that began around 1850. The gold rush also established viticulture and at the turn of the century there were over 100 wineries producing wines for the drinking-loving gold diggers. At that time, approximately half of the Australian wine quantity was produced here. The number has since been reduced to about 20. The main growing areas are Baynton, Big Hill, Bridgewater, Harcourt, Heathcote, which is considered the best red wine area, Kinkower, Maiden Gully, Mandurang and Mount Ida. It has a dry climate with little rainfall, so artificial irrigation is sometimes necessary. The vineyards cover about 150 hectares in a landscape dominated by hills. The soil of red clay, loam, quartz and iron-rich local stone is particularly suitable for red wines, which are mainly made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Shiraz. The main white wine varieties are Chardonnay and Riesling. Well-known producers are Balgownie Estate, Blackjack Vineyard, Jasper Hill Vineyard, Mount Ida Vineyard, Passing Clouds, Water Wheel and Wild Duck Creek.