Windy Ridge: whole wines, exceptional flavours
Receive a 10 per cent discount for RACV members
Sara Schwarz
Windy Ridge Winery - South Gippsland's oldest vineyard
A surprising number of teachers have changed careers midstream for the challenge of winemaking. Perhaps the discipline of training grapes is not far removed from that of training young minds or perhaps after years of rowdy classrooms, some peace, quiet and a good drink are required!
About Windy Ridge Vineyard and Winery
Graeme and Georgia Wilson are two such teachers who were swayed by the grape. After purchasing Windy Ridge in 1985, Georgia remained teaching until 2006 while Graeme developed the wine stocks. They opened their cellar door (in the already working winery) in 1995.
Windy Ridge’s vineyards were planted by Dr Chris Hill in 1978, making them the oldest vineyards in South Gippsland – as well as being the most southerly working winery in mainland Australia. All wines are made by the Wilsons from these 32 year old vines which are unirrigated and cropped low, resulting in some exceptional fruit flavours.
What will I find here?
Unlike almost all other wineries, at Windy Ridge you’ll discover the cellar door tasting area is in the midst of the working winery, so as you taste, you will always have the opportunity to meet the makers, see the winemaking equipment and even browse their notes on the maturation barrels surrounding you. Come vintage time in April or May you may well find yourself squeezing past tanks of fermenting wine.
No food or coffee is available onsite, however a small range of locally grown and pressed extra virgin olive oils and handmade soaps are available for sale.
The view from the carpark over Corner Inlet and Wilsons Prom can’t be beaten!
What should I ask to try?
Key varieties: pinot noir, malbec, cabernet sauvignon, traminer
The Wilsons produce a range of wines from these four varieties. None of the wines are filtered or fined before bottling, so the ‘whole wine’ is in the glass you are tasting.
Malbec is a traditional southern French varietal that is now grown quite widely in the wine regions of Argentina and Chile. Windy Ridge are one of only a small number of wineries to release a 100 percent malbec still wine and they also produce a rather special CHILL sparkling malbec.
On a quiet day you may have the opportunity to experience a personal barrel tasting. Perhaps ask to try their pinot noir which has won many awards over the years.
Let’s go!
Windy Ridge Vineyard and Winery is located only two hours south east of Melbourne and approximately 30 minutes from both Wilsons Promontory and the RACV Inverloch Resort.
527 Fish Creek-Foster Road,
Foster, Victoria, 3960
Phone (03) 5682 2035
The cellar door is open weekends from November to Easter. If you are in the area other times, call ahead and they'll likely be happy to oblige.
On the Queen's Birthday weekend each year, a pre bottling tasting is offered and each Melbourne Cup weekend you will have the opportunity to taste a range of their reserved, older wines, up to 15 years in age.
Show Your Card and Save at Windy Ridge Vineyard and Winery
Receive a 10 per cent discount on wine purchases at cellar door »
Regions
- Gippsland (VIC)
Our Recommendations
To see our recommendations, ratings and reviews you must be a logged-in subscriber.
To subscribe please enter your email address in the "Subscribe Now - it's Free" box on the right and click the "Join" button, or fill in this form >
RACV Members: Show Your Card and Save at Windy Ridge Vineyard and Winery »
Anyone who has tried to visit Gippsland's wineries in one day will know this is one mighty big wine area. But compared to its sister regions, Gippsland is one of ... 30 wineries, some of whom are making quite a name »
Kelly, with her black and white border collie markings, has been greeting visitors to Windy Ridge in Foster, Victoria for most of her 100 dog years. VisitVineyards.com featured vineyard pet »
Windy Ridge a boutique vineyard and winery located between Foster and Fish Creek, in the Gippsland wine region of Victoria. It is South Gippsland's oldest vineyard ... read more
High profile blues, roots and world music festival, featuring international, national and local musicians of the highest order. Set in the fabulous Mossvale Park, ... read more
Lardner Park Market
Lardner Park lends itself as a fantastic venue for a CMA regional arts, craft and fresh produce market and is ideally located midway between Drouin and Warragul. read more
Part of the Gippsland Food & Wine Festival 2010, Windy Ridge Winery offers 'old vintages' wine tasting. AUD5 to taste four 'sold out' wines up to 15 years old: Pinot ... read more
Enjoy fresh and seasonal produce at the Inverloch Farmers Market »
Tutor your nose to detect the subtle aromas in wine and learn to appreciate and enjoy its complexities. VisitVineyards.com subscribers purchasing Le Nez du Vin aroma sets can save up to $110 and get two Essential Wine Tasting Guides for the price of one. Read about the 
Thinking celebration? Then surely thinking Champagne, the wine that's always part of life's most important occasions. And sometimes just for the pure bubbly, enjoyment. Dine and sip with royalty, celebrity at history-making moments with your copy of Champagne and Chandeliers by Bernadette O'Shea. VisitVineyards.com subscribers, you receive a 15 per cent discount on purchase 
Le Figaro calls her "the undisputed mistress of the kingdom of wine". Receive an immediate introductory 
Like to discover more about this state's lifestyle, wine, food and more? Then ask us now for your free copy of Tasmania 40 Degrees South the magazine that showcases the best of Australia's island state. 
In our No 1 Wine Book of 2010, Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein matches distinctive wines with recipes from his favourite chefs in this book focussing on new and emerging grape varietals. VisitVineyards.com subscribers and Members buying this book will receive a 
The Produce to Platter series bring each region's people and produce to life in fabulous publications. Geelong and the Mornington Peninsula are just an hour or so from Melbourne and with your copy of Produce to Platter on board, you're sure to discover the best of these renowned gourmet regions. In this special promotion, we have two sets of both books and 