The Vineyard | Penzancevineyardwinery

THE VINEYARD

Penzance Winery & Vineyard is situated in the township of Euroa in the Strathbogie Ranges. At approximately 210m above sea level, the region provides moderate temperatures (average annual temperatures sit between 10C to 21C), which is suitable for a more delicate red wine production being warmer on average than the Yarra Valley, but cooler than the big red regions like the Barossa Valley.

Strathbogie Ranges is a relatively recent addition to Victoria’s wine industry. Approximately 110 kilometres northeast of Melbourne, the area planted its first vineyards in the 1960s, almost a century after the rest of Australia.

The region lies in a range of mountains just north of the Great Dividing Range, which represents an ancient granitic uprising that has since eroded to form undulating topography, ranging from flat land around the township of Euroa to the high peaks of Mount Strathbogie itself.

Overall, the Strathbogie Ranges climate is helped along by various other climatic factors, including constant drying winds and moderate rainfall. The latter works in tandem with the granite-based soils to create an excellent terroir for grape growing. The soil is relatively free-draining, greatly reducing the danger of vines getting ‘wet feet’, and the proportion of clay means sufficient water is stored keeping vines healthy throughout the growing season

Finding the land

The vineyard property was acquired in 2021 after searching seriously for over 18 months (although less formally for many years).

Formally a larger property supporting mostly sheep, much of the acreage had been sold, with the remaining 42 acres coming onto the market in July 2021. Three days later Stephen and Kate had bought it. As Stephen said- “we had a checklist of criteria we wanted for a property, and whilst Euroa was further north than we were looking, this property ticked all the boxes”.

We later learnt, Euroa was calling us!

Establishing the vines

The vineyard was established over the second half of 2022 with an acre each of Shiraz and Grenache rootlings planted in December 2022 following a very wet start to the season. An old dam was cleaned and drip irrigation established to service the vines.

Over the following season (2023-2024), we watched the vines mature and we excitedly wait for fruit production over the 2025/26 season.

Estate grown vines are Shiraz and Grenache, however, Penzance is currently concentrating on producing Touriga Rosé and Cabernet Franc/Petit Verdot wines, and source quality grapes from local growers in order to offer a wider range of varietals such as our 2024 range shows.