The Bendigo Wine Region in Central Victoria is renowned for its warm climate, featuring hot dry summers and cool wet winters with significant diurnal temperature shifts. Historically, the area has been known for its red wines, particularly Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, reflecting the preferences of local winemakers. Despite housing over 600 wineries, Victoria ranks third in wine production due to a focus on small-scale, handcrafted boutique wines over mass production. The Mediterranean climate of Bendigo, characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters, provides ideal conditions for a diverse range of grape varieties, resulting in a varied selection of wines, including robust Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Riesling and Chardonnay.
The unique terroir of Bendigo, featuring soils with moderate chalk content, is well-suited for growing grapes destined for the production of distinctive regional wines. The region's slight climatic variations also allow for the cultivation of less common varieties such as Nebbiolo and Barbera. Glenwillow Vineyard, located in the cooler southern edge of Bendigo, benefits from an elevated northern aspect, ample sunlight exposure, a consistent breeze, and rich volcanic soil. These factors contribute to the vineyard's success in producing an award-winning Shiraz, alongside regionally rare Italian wines like Nebbiolo and Barbera.