Cabernet Sauvignon has always held a special place in my heart. It’s a variety with a proud history, first celebrated in the great vineyards of Bordeaux. From there, it’s travelled the world, finding homes in regions where the soils and climates bring out its best. Here in Bendigo, we’re lucky enough to grow Cabernet on some of the most distinctive soils in Victoria — and it’s from these vineyards that our own story begins.
Right now, we have two Cabernets I’m especially proud of.
2022 Bendigo Cabernet Sauvignon
Our 2022 Bendigo Cabernet Sauvignon has already proven itself in the glass and in the spotlight.
Grown on Bendigo’s rich red loams, it shows all the classic Cabernet notes — blackcurrant, capsicum, a touch of spice and tobacco — framed by fine French oak after 12 months of barrel ageing. It’s a wine that has both power and polish, and we were thrilled when it picked up a Trophy and Gold Medal at the 2024 Ballarat Wine Show. Personally, I think it’s just perfect alongside a roast dinner or a plate of slow-cooked ribs.
2024 Specical Release Cabernet Sauvignon
Then there’s our new arrival — the 2024 Special Release Cabernet Sauvignon. This one comes off our own Bendigo vineyard, rooted in tough ironstone soils that give the wine its backbone and character. It’s brimming with dark cherry and eucalyptus on the nose, with cassis, liquorice and spice flowing across the palate. We’ve given it the same careful barrel fermentation and 12 months in French oak as its sibling, but the vineyard site gives it a completely different personality. It’s bold, generous, and I think it’s going to shine — whether enjoyed now with a grilled steak or tucked away in the cellar for years to come.
We haven’t entered the Special Release into wine shows just yet, but I have high hopes. Wines like this remind me why Cabernet has endured for centuries — powerful, elegant, and always rewarding for those who take the time to enjoy them.
I look forward to sharing a glass with you soon.
— Richard McLean, Winemaker
Both the 2022 Bendigo Cabernet and the new 2024 Special Release Cabernet are available now at our cellar doors and online.
