Wine connoisseurs beat a path to the Heathcote Showgrounds in their thousands over the weekend to sample some of the region’s best vintages at the Heathcote Wine Festival.
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Burke and Wills Winery’s Roy Anderson said, as usual, the day had started slowly before his stall was “inundated with people who are really interested in shiraz”.
“Of course there’s the shiraz but we’ve also got some white wines here for sampling,” he said.
“Part of our pitch is to let them sample some of the whites because there aren’t many whites around here, or we refer them, as we have done, to people who sell sparkling red.
“We've also got the big red Mr Burke’s (shiraz) which is not always available, (winemaker Andrew Pattison) makes it when the conditions are right and he’s got the grapes and the time and the barrels, but people come along and remember it.”
Bendigo’s Dannielle Downs made the trip for the second year running, under sunny skies.
“It's been a good day, good weather, good wine,” she said.
“And it's a little bit warmer this year.”
Heathcote Winegrowers’ Association executive officer Chris Earl said crowds were up by a whisker on last year.
“Half an hour before the gates opened (on Saturday) morning the queues were forming,” he said.
“People were wanting to be here right from the word go and that’s the way it’s continued.”
Mr Earl said the festival, now in its 14th year, was regarded as regional Victoria’s leading wine and food event.
“It’s just been a stunning weekend and one that has clearly showcased the Heathcote wine region and the great wines to thousands of people,” he said.
Local resident Goranka Davis said the festival was “good for Heathcote”.
“It’s been fabulous,” she said.
“I’ve been here just about every year and it just seems to grow and grow.”
Mr Earl said the cancellation of Bendigo’s Heritage Uncorked festival due to the weekend’s protests had not dampened interest in the Heathcote offering.
“The Heathcote festival has carried the flag of the Heathcote wine region and the City of Greater Bendigo proudly for what is a very major weekend on the City of Greater Bendigo’s calendar,” he said.