THE MITCHELTON HISTORY
The history of Mitchelton dates back to 1836, when the explorer Major Thomas Mitchell crossed the river here on his 900 kilometre journey from Sydney to Melbourne.
The area was originally intended to become a riverside town named Mitchellstown. In the 1960s, Ross Shelmerdine enlisted the expertise of Colin Preece to find the ideal site for cultivating premium grapes in Victoria. They discovered a location with a perfect climate and excellent water access. Ross named his new winery Mitchelton, a derivation of Mitchellstown. The vineyard's first sod was turned in 1969, marking the beginning of this renowned winery. Mitchelton also became a popular destination for outdoor concerts, hosting artists like Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Bryan Adams.
In 2011, the Ryan family purchased Mitchelton, further enhancing its offerings. In 2018, they expanded the estate by opening a luxury boutique hotel and Day Spa, cementing Mitchelton's status as a premier destination.
MITCHELTON ARCHITECTURE
The plans for the winery, cellar door, and tower were initially drawn by Robin Boyd CBE, one of Australia’s most renowned architects. After Boyd's passing in 1971, the design was completed by another esteemed architect, Ted Ashton. When Mitchelton opened in 1974, its 55-metre tower quickly became an iconic feature of Victoria’s winemaking landscape.
Continuing its legacy of architectural excellence, Mitchelton recently partnered with Hecker Guthrie to design a new cellar door and a 54-room hotel. The result seamlessly blends with the existing modern lines, rustic textures, and sculptural forms, creating a harmonious connection between the built and natural environments.
OUR WINES
Specialising in Shiraz, Riesling, and Rhône blend wines, our winemaking team is celebrated for capturing the unique regional character of our estate-grown varieties. With meticulous attention to detail, Mitchelton wines achieve a rare balance and intensity of flavour.
Surrounded by the winding Goulburn River and thriving indigenous wildlife, our vineyards benefit from a unique environment that imparts distinctive estate characteristics to every bottle. Our leading Winemakers and Viticulturist work closely with the land, using innovation and soil interaction to unlock the best from each block. This focused approach results in wines of distinct personality, intimacy, and longevity, embodying our commitment to wine excellence.
SUSTAINABILITY
Dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of our picturesque surroundings, the team at Mitchelton proudly maintains a sustainable ecosystem inspired by our close connection to the Goulburn River. Framed by red gums and indigenous flora and fauna, the river plays a vital role in our holistic approach to winemaking.
To reduce our environmental impact, we’ve implemented pioneering Environmental Management Systems. These include an innovative wastewater wetlands process, where native reed species naturally filter water for vineyard irrigation, minimal use of synthetic pesticides, composting of winery by-product waste, and the responsible sourcing of recycled packaging.
VINEYARDS
Our vineyards span not only the Mitchelton Estate but also the renowned Heathcote area, where we exclusively cultivate Shiraz on the north-facing slopes of Mount Camel. From the rich, ochre-red soils of the ancient Dookie Hills to the alluvial sands of the Goulburn Valley floor, the region around Mitchelton is home to several distinctive and distinguished wineries. The warmth of this area is tempered by an abundance of lakes, billabongs, and creeks, while the loose, sandy, and gravelly soils yield generous harvests without sacrificing colour or flavour.
The Mitchelton Estate is founded on alluvial river sediments, originating from the granite Strathbogie Ranges to the east, the mudstone sediments of the Graytown Hills, and ancient marine deposits from the southern mountains. These diverse soil types interact uniquely with our vine roots, producing wines of remarkable complexity.
Since our founding in 1969, Mitchelton has built a proud tradition of crafting award-winning wines from our main vineyard in Nagambie. Today, we also harvest grapes from our Toolleen estate vineyard in Heathcote and source high-quality fruit from our grower partners across Victoria’s wine regions.
