The Sanguine Estate vineyard was established by Tony and Linda Hunter in 1995 and is located on the famous 510 million year old Cambrian earth belt in central Heathcote. Over a decade since the first vines at Sanguine Estate were carefully planted by family and friends, it was established that Tony's Great Great Grandfather, Pietro D'Orsa, had planted a vineyard in a neighbouring region in the late 1800s so it has been in the blood all along! Shiraz is the heart of their vineyard and son Mark Hunter, winemaker and viticulturist, ensures that nature is respected from vine to ferment by hand-picking and pruning the vines, fermenting fruit with its own wild yeasts in small open fermenters and moving wine around the cellars by gravity to avoid the use of pumps, Old Pietro would be at home. They also produce chardonnay, Tempranillo, Rosé and a cabernet blend. The Hunter family, with daughter Jodi at the helm, don't do things by halves. Situated right in the heart of the vineyard, Sanguine Estate's cellar door is impressive to say the least. Guests to the cellar door will always be met by one of the family members and will be 'up close and personal' with the inner sanctum of both the winery and barrel room whilst enjoying complimentary wine tasting. Sanguine Estate have also added some major events to their calendar such as "Heathcote on Show" held the Queens Birthday long weekend in June and the October Heathcote Wine and Food Festival. But most notably is the Sanguine Estate Music Festival held Labour Day long weekend in March and is designed to provide an absolute sensory extravaganza that will keep you enthralled from the moment you arrive to the moment to reluctantly leave.
