About

Our Story

Inspired by the wines of the Rhone Valley

For three generations the Shelmerdine family has been at the forefront of the modern Victorian wine industry, and among Victoria’s most prominent grape growers.

The family have a long history of managing high quality vineyards in Victoria, from the Nagambie Lakes region to the Yarra Valley and Heathcote. Each estate vineyard is managed to produce sustainable, low yields for the highest quality possible.

The Merindoc philosophy is simple; we employ our understanding of the site, soil and the seasons to craft wines that express the unique characteristics of our vineyards, this in turn ensures wines with a true regional identity.

Vineyards

The Merindoc range of wines is supported by two very different vineyards. Willoughby Bridge Vineyard at Colbinabbin in the Northern Heathcote region has a warm continental climate and the infamous Cambrian Red soil. Merindoc Vineyard, at Tooborac, in the southern end of the Heathcote region, is on the sweeping granite boulder strewn slopes of the Central Highlands, and features granite soils and cool night temperatures.

The diversity of climates and soil types between our two Heathcote Vineyards allows us to grow a wide range of varietals well suited to the different aspects of the Heathcote region, not only creating a broad range of wine styles, but also requiring careful and adaptive viticulture expertise, to bring forth the best from each vine. In all, we grow over 20 different grape varieties, making us one of the most diverse producers in the region.

Hand pruning, hand picking and training all give the vineyard staff an intimate knowledge of every slope, and every clone, allowing us to express a ‘’sense of place”.

As is often said, the best fertilizer is the vigneron’s footstep.