Unlock the Macedon Ranges' best-kept secret.
Nestled amidst the rolling hills and eucalyptus-scented air of the Macedon Ranges, lies a secret that wine connoisseurs and seekers of good times should not miss.
Budburst Wine Festival, an annual ode to the region’s cool climate wines and warm-hearted winemakers, is back and beckoning all to dive into an unforgettable experience from the 17th to the 19th of November 2023.
Budburst 2023
- What: Budburst – A celebration of Macedon Ranges wine and hospitality
- Where: Various wineries, cellar doors, and venues across the Macedon Ranges
- When: Friday 17 – Sunday 19, 2023
Keep up with the latest food and booze news across the region here.
The Macedon Ranges, just under an hour’s drive from Melbourne’s bustling heart, has long been a well-guarded treasure chest for wine enthusiasts. Budburst opens this chest wide, allowing you to step behind the vines and meet the passionate family-owned and small-batch winemakers who have crafted the region’s reputation as mainland Australia’s coolest wine destination.
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Saturday and Sunday: Wine, Food, Art, and Music Extravaganza
It’s a weekend packed with opportunities to indulge your senses. More than 25 winemakers are set to unveil their finest creations across 18 Budburst sites. With tastings flowing from 10am to 5pm, the festival promises a sensory journey like no other. Besides the superb wines, expect curated food menus championing local produce, art exhibitions that will awaken your artistic side, sculpture walks to inspire, and live music that’ll provide a harmonious backdrop to your adventure.
For those looking to explore even further, various venues throughout the region are offering Budburst specials. You can opt for a bottomless brunch at Cleveland Winery in Lancefield, a winemaker’s dinner at Miss M’s Lounge in Kyneton, or embark on wine and cheese flights at Daylesford-based Winespeake. And let’s not forget the local watering holes – Farmer’s Arms in Daylesford, Animus Distillery, and Piper Street Wine Company in Kyneton, Woodend Cellar & Bar, and Trentham’s Cosmopolitan Hotel, where Budburst wines will be poured throughout the weekend.
Let the Budburst Buses Take the Reins
To navigate this wine-soaked paradise effortlessly, hop on one of the four designated Budburst bus routes. These buses will whisk you between festival sites on both Saturday and Sunday, ensuring you don’t miss out on a single tasting. There’s something enticing about being chauffeured from one world-class winery to another, don’t you think?
Budburst Bus Routes and Participating Wineries:
Lancefield Loop: Featuring Lyons Will, Double Oaks, Parkside, Cleveland, and Willimee Wines (including Northern Hope). You can catch the bus at either Woodend Train Station or Lancefield town centre.
Daylesford Drive: This route includes Passing Clouds (including Shadowfax), Attwoods Wines, Wombat Forest, and Zig Zag Road Winery. Pick-up and drop-off options at either Kyneton Train Station or Daylesford (next to Coles).
Kyneton Cruise: Embark on a journey to Paramoor, Kyneton Ridge (including Lord Malmsbury, and Glenhope Vineyard), Hanging Rock (including Cold Acre), and Hunter Gatherer (including Bald Hill, Rowanston, and North Wine). This route offers pick-up and drop-off at Kyneton Train Station and Kyneton Post Office.
Woodend Wander: Explore Hesket Estate, Mount Monument (including Athletes of Wine), Mount Towrong Vineyard, Midhill Vineyard, and Red Poppy Estate. You can board or disembark at Woodend Train Station.
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Customise Your Budburst Adventure
If your wanderlust desires more freedom, Budburst Festival has partnered with bespoke wine tour companies, allowing you to tailor your own wine adventure. Details are available on the Budburst website, where you can plan your unique journey through the vineyards.
So, don your sun hat, ready your taste buds, and prepare for a symphony of flavours at Budburst Wine Festival 2023.
It’s an experience that’ll delight your palate, your senses, and leave you with lasting memories of the Macedon magic.
Tickets for Budburst Wine Festival start from $39 for a one-day festival pass, and Budburst Bus tickets are an additional $40. Each ticket includes a keepsake Macedon Ranges wine glass to take home and a festival passport to remember your Budburst experience.
Head to the website to find out more.
This article was made in partnership with Budburst Wine Festival.
