You know a winery is going to be good when it's recommended by another winemaker in the region. Maddens Rise was recommended by another Yarra Valley winery, and boy, are we glad to get the recommendation.
The blink-and-you'll-miss-it shed the serves as the cellar door does not have a fancy restaurant or assembly line of tastings. Instead, you'll find a simple but beautifully finished shed (it was filled with daffodils when we visited), stunning views and a handwritten A4 sheet of paper detailing the wines on offer and their prices.
There is no cost to do a tasting, and you should taste everything here. For an example of the kind of winery this is, look no further than the sparkling rosé. It's a delicious combination of chardonnay and pinot noir grapes, fermented in French oak barrels and spending another nine months on lees in the bottle, and made using the Méthode Champenoise. It's no slouch and has a considerable pedigree, but the winemakers here call it simply 'pink fizz' and say it's uncomplicated, delicious, and perfect for anytime drinking. We agree.
All the wines here are like that. They are made using traditional methods and all possible love and care to emphasise excellent fruit and show it off to its best advantage, but it's all approachable, unpretentious and damn delicious.
