can't go past the Loddon Valley, but that's not always easy if you can't find the cellar door.

This week marks the launch of the first-ever guide to the award-winning vineyards of Loddon Valley, including such celebrated wineries as Pondalowie, Water Wheel and Passing Clouds.

The guide, produced by Loddon Shire and funded by Regional Development Victoria, shows just how productive the historic wine growing region to the north of Bendigo remains, with 17 vineyards and cellar doors to visit.

Take for example Turner's Crossing, which consistently produces gold medal winners including the 2004 The Cut Shiraz famously earning 96 points from Australia's top

wine judge James Halliday.

Or Pondalowie, which was awarded five red stars by Mr Halliday - one of only 6.5 per cent of wineries Australia-wide to receive this top rating.

Krystina Morris, of Pondalowie, welcomed marketing the northern leg of the Bendigo wine region as a destination in its own right.

"I think Bendigo region has, in the past, suffered a bit because it is not clear that there are specific areas within the region that make for destinations themselves,'' she said.

"If you come to Bendigo for the weekend it makes a really nice day trip to go out to Kingower, which is

a beautiful and unique part of Australia, and take in the wineries on the way.

"I think it is a really good way to encourage people to travel that little bit further north, because they can see there is more than enough of interest to see and do.''

The launch of the brochure by outgoing Loddon mayor Christine Brooke on Thursday coincides with the unveiling of the Rheola Charity Carnival tourist information board.

It celebrates the historic Easter Monday charity carnival which has been held every year since 1871.