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On a hill where wild bullocks once roamed and kangaroos could be counted in scores, there are still a few who call it by its old name – Bald Hill. But to lovers of wine, food and the beauty of nature it is called Red Hill and the jewel in the crown is Red Hill Estate.
If you believe that viticulture in the Red Hill area only began around 30 years ago, you would be mistaken.
2007 and beyond....
Major renovation planned for the property to:
- provide new Cellar Door and Restaurant Entrance
- glass the front of Cellar Door to take advantage of and 'open' the facility to the spectacular views over Western Port Bay.
- double the size of the Restaurant, including a cafe style patio out towards the sea.
- provide self contained accommodation on site with conference facilities.
2006
Max's at Red Hill Estate wins the Best Winery Restaurant 2006/2007 in the Best Of Wine Tourism Awards.
Red Hill Estate merged with the historic Hunter Valley producer Arrowfield Estate, and together they trade under the name of “The InWine Group Australia”.
2002
Max's at Red Hill Estate wins the Amex Award for the 'Best Regional Restaurant' and the 'Best Victorian Restaurant'
Launch of the limited 'Classic Release' range and Red Hill Estate's underpinning 'Bimaris' range.
2001
The largest ever vintage at Red Hill Estate severely stretches production capacity at the winery resulting in some off site production.
2000
Bentco Pty Ltd buy into Red Hill Estate to assist in the future development of the business.
1998
Back to Back! Red Hill Estate, winner of the 'Victorian Winery of the Year' and the 1998 'National Tourism Award for the Best Winery'.
Michael Kyberd takes over as "Chief Winemaker".
1997
Red Hill Estate achieves 'Victorian Winery of the Year' Award.
1995
Max Paganoni takes over the restaurant establishing Max's at Red Hill Estate and receives a 'Certificate of Commendation' at the Victorian Tourism Awards.
1994
Due to the popularity of the venue, the seating of the Restaurant was extended to accommodate one hundred people.
Red Hill Estate wins the 'Victorian Vineyard of the Year' Award and receives a 'Certificate of Commendation' at the Victorian Tourism Awards.
1993
Jenny Bright was appointed full time winemaker and the winery was fitted out with the state of the art equipment. Red Hill's second label 'Waterholes Creek' launched, named after the creek on the property that feeds the wetlands area.
1992
The revamped Cellar Door and Restaurant were opened enjoying panaromic views of Western Port Bay and Phillip Island.
1991
Wine production of the first vintage at Red Hill Estate began with the building of the original winery and Cellar Door.
1989
A 26 acre vineyard was established with various varietals planted.
1979
Sir Peter and Lady Derham purchased 20 picturesque acres at Red Hill for cattle grazing. A further 30 acres was purchased as the land was prepared for its ultimate transformation into a vineyard.
Mid 1970's
Following in modern pioneering footsteps of Elgee Park other wineries such as Main Ridge Estate were founded re-establishing the area as a wine growing region.
1973
With the advent of modern technology to cope with the pressures of managing vinecultivation in a marginal region the Balliew Myer family decided to have another go at the wine industry establishing Elgee Park vineyard and winery.
1920's to the 1970's
The area progressed as a successful farming region with cattle farming, thoroughbred breeding, strawberry farms just some of the many agricultural pursuits enjoyed on the Peninsula. Unfortunately grape growing was not one of the more successful pursuits at this time as the affliction of disease in this cool climate area saw many growers abandon their attempts to establish vineyards.
1922
The first year of the Red Hill Show which has been run continuously since, apart from a suspension during the second World War.
1921
Red Hill to Bittern railway opens allowing local farmers to take their produce to Melbourne each night.
1920
Red Hill Coolstores opens and still stands today, warehousing much of the local produce.
1870's
H B Simon, known in his day as ‘Simon the Frenchman’, grew grapes to make his own wine.
James Wiseman, a Scottish Blacksmith set up home and shop on what is now Red Hill Estate. These people founded the lifestyle of many who still carry the torch today.
Really, what better place to start a vineyard?
1862
John Arkwell purchased land in the area and planted an orchard of mixed fruit trees and blackberries.
From blacksmithing to thoroughbred breeding to cattle farming, and now to one of the viticultural showpieces of the Mornington Peninsula, Red Hill Estate captures the essence of this part of the world. |
