About Us

The Family

“From the moment we laid eyes on the land, we knew we had discovered something special…”

That something special was rich undulating fields in the shadows of Mt Ida, Heathcote, Central Victoria. Tony and Linda Hunter’s vision was to create a family-run boutique vineyard where quality, passion and energy were reflected in the wine.

Embraced by children Mark and Jodi and their respective partners Melissa and Brett, Sanguine Estate expanded from 16 acres to 55 in just five years.

The family’s desire to produce great wine flows through every glass. Through natural winemaking techniques combined with small batch processing and hand plunging, the purity and integrity of the wine is enhanced.

This love for creating fine wine has its roots over 100 years ago. The Great Grandfather of Tony Hunter, Pietro D’orsa, left Italy in 1868 to make a new life in Australia, becoming a vigneron in the town of Maldon 100 km west of Heathcote.

Today, Mark Hunter continues this family tradition as Sanguine Estate’s full time vigneron and winemaker.

Our Winemaker

Mark Hunter

The son of Linda and Tony Hunter, Mark commenced his involvement with the business in the vineyard as the viticulturist, but his natural creative flair soon saw him deeply involved with the winemaking process. He has been a hands-on winemaker since the inaugural 2000 Shiraz release.

The Vineyard

Sanguine Estate vineyard and winery established in 1997 is located approximately 5km along the Northern Highway from the turn off to Echuca (North of Heathcote).

The Hunter Family worked weekends to establish the initial 16 acres that grew rapidly over the following years to 55 acres by 2002.

Having no experience in viticulture or winemaking, Linda and Tony sent their son to study a Viticultural Course at Dookie University whilst charging him with the responsibility of maintaining and developing the Vineyard. At the same time, they engaged Matt Hunter (no relation) to produce their first vintage of Shiraz and later engaged well known Winemaker Peter Dredge.

Since the 2005 vintage, son Mark Hunter has become the full time winemaker for the suite of Sanguine Estate wines with guidance from consultant winemaker Ben Riggs.

Vineyard Statistics

Established:	1997
GI zone:	Central Victoria
GI Region:	Heathcote
Acres under vine:	50 acres of shiraz
	5 acres comprising 8 different varieties (Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petit Verdot, Viognier, Tempranillo, Chardonnay)
Vineyard manager:	Mark Hunter
New Winery capacity:	100 tonne crush
Winemakers:	Mark Hunter
	Ben Riggs (Consultant)
Wines produced to date:	D’Orsa Reserve Shiraz 2006
	Estate Shiraz 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
	Progeny Shiraz 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008
	Tempranillo 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
	Cabernet Blends 2005, 2006
	Merlot 2004
	Chardonnay/Viognier 2004,2005
	Chardonnay 2006, 2007, 2008
Major Exports:	Denmark
	USA
	Canada
	UK
	Hong Kong
	Singapore

How to Get There

Our Cellar Door is open weekends and Public Holidays 10am – 5pm. Visitation outside these hours is available by appointment only.

To get to Heathcote, there are two routes that can be taken from Melbourne.

(1) Scenic Route

Along a windy road through some amazing granite boulders.
(Melbourne -> Tullamarine -> Romsey -> Lancefield -> Tooborac -> Heathcote)
The scenic route is by far more captivating and interesting than the Highway route.

To get to Heathcote

From Melbourne drive toward Sunbury via Tullamarine airport. Before Sunbury is a turnoff to Romsey and Lancefield. This road is very windy and picturesque and will eventually come to a T intersection. Turn left and travel through the township of Tooborac. The next town is Heathcote.

To get to Sanguine Estate

Travel through Heathcote and at the end of town is a turnoff to Echuca. Approximately 5km from this turnoff, on the left hand side is a dirt road called Shurans Lane. Shurans Lane will take you to the gates of Sanguine Estate.

(2) Highway route

(Hume Highway -> Northern Highway)

To get to Heathcote

From Melbourne travel along the Hume Highway until you reach the Northern Highway turnoff to Wallan and Kilmore. Travel through the major towns of Wallan, Kilmore and Tooborac. The next town is Heathcote.

To get to Sanguine Estate

Travel through Heathcote and at the end of town is a turnoff to Echuca. Approximately 5km from this turnoff, on the left hand side is a dirt road called Shurans Lane. Shurans Lane will take you to the gates of Sanguine Estate.
(If you are coming from the region of Nagambie or other phyllexora regions, please ring prior to entering the property).

The Region

Located 90 minutes north of Melbourne, this historic town in the heart of Victoria is famous for its full-bodied yet smooth Shiraz wines; uniquely deep in colour and flavour.

The secret is the 510 million year old Cambrian earth, found along an ancient land fault running through Heathcote. This deep red earth brings a character to the landscape and wine unlike anywhere in the world.

Sanguine Estate can be found along this fault line.

James Halliday

“The Heathcote sub-region of Bendigo,…is generally recognized as one of Australia”s finest for shiraz” … ” These are wines with awesome depth of flavour, richness and ripeness, a vinous brocaded tapestry. Typically 13.5 per cent to 14 per cent alcohol, they are extremely long-lived.”
www.jameshalliday.com.au

Max Allen

“… some observers tip Heathcote as the very best place in Australia for full-blooded red wine (an opinion I share: as I’ve written previously, if I ever gave in to the urge to make wine myself, Heathcote’s where I’d go).”
Australian Magazine April 27-28 2002 The new red center

Nick”s Wine Merchants

Like some wondrous child prodigy, Heathcote is a viticultural paradox: a district where young vines that would be considered ‘immature’ elsewhere, consistently produce stunning symphonies of flavour…. Perhaps no other wine region in the world has established itself so dramatically in such a short time.
Heathcote: A Viticultural Paradox