Located 25 kilometres northwest of Geelong along the Midland Highway, the Bannockburn Vineyards estate sits in the Moorabool Valley sub-region, just outside the township of Bannockburn. Our estate comprises 26 vineyard blocks, 8 grape varieties, and at least 16 clones. The soil is generally of low fertility with good drainage, allowing for controlled growth, yet rich enough that our organic farming principles require only the addition of compost to maintain vineyard balance.

Subtle but important soil variations result from a continuum of volcanic surface debris and ancient seabeds, transitioning to richer, darker soils layered over predominantly limestone bedrock.

The first vineyard was planted in 1974, with subsequent plantings through to the early 1980s, making our vines some of the oldest in the Geelong region. A terroir of minimal rainfall, low-vigour soils, and prevailing winds from the Southern Ocean, combined with our close plantings and old vines, creates a growing environment that naturally restricts yields—factors that shape the unique flavours and structures of our wines.

The Moorabool Valley receives an average annual rainfall of 540mm, primarily during winter and spring. This is consistently lower than neighbouring wine-growing regions such as the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula. A maritime influence ensures mild temperatures, while our southerly latitude provides long hours of sunshine. It's common to experience stable, dry, and low-humidity conditions throughout the grape-growing season, from budburst in mid-September through to the end of harvest in late April. This allows for a mild, extended ripening period—ideal conditions for healthy vines and gradual flavour development in the grapes.