Want the full boutique-winery experience just a stone's throw from Melbourne? Hop on over to Werribee's Shadowfax Wines.
Part of the Werribee Park precinct (it’s only a short walk away from Werribee Park Mansion), it's the closest vineyard to Melbourne's CBD, and it's got a fine selection of varietals to boot.
Shadowfax's chief winemaker, Alister Timms, has a hyper-local focus: he keeps things grounded in the essence of Werribee Park and its regional surrounds with vineyards in the Macedon Ranges and Werribee and sources from small growers in Geelong. The wines have distinct personalities, developed through the specific combination of a vineyard's soil, weather and the grapes cultivated there.
Against the lush vineyards, Shadowfax's rusted sheet-metal facade is striking – and once inside, visitors can poke their heads underground, descending down an orange spiral staircase to visit the barrel hall and uncover the cavern's winemaking secrets. Another secret that's not so well kept? The winery is named after Shadowfax, the majestic chief of horses in The Lord of the Rings.
Shadowfax's cellar door and restaurant is open daily from 11am-5pm. It’s here you can get a taste of those premium wines and hear from the team’s brightest wine minds about what drop is best for what occasion. If you’re feeling peckish, settle in for a meal at the restaurant, where the team is serving up a Mediterranean-inspired menu that includes seafood linguine, roasted spatchcock, Werribee barramundi and more.
Most weekends you’ll have your lunch at the restaurant soundtracked by the dulcet tones of live music. There's also the option to sit amongst the greenery outside on a picnic rug when the weather’s nice. Whether you're going for the atmosphere or just to try out some masterfully made local wines, you’re going to have a stellar time here at Shadowfax.
