About Glenhope Ridge Estate

Glenhope Ridge Estate, which is located in Wickhams Lane in Glenhope east, was originally a pastoral region for sheep grazing and once held the record for the highest wool yield in the 1970's. In those days it was owned by the Dempster family that now owns the "Cellar and Store" shop in Heathcote, which is without doubt the best place in the world for produce from the Heathcote region. The Dempster's still maintain a large interest in Sheep farming in and around Heathcote.

In the mid 80's the land was purchased by David McKenzie who had dream of producing the quality of wine Heathcote is renowned for. David established the vineyard and it is believed he sourced the Shiraz vines (4 acres) as cuttings from the Duck Creek Vineyard and the Merlot (1 acre) as cuttings from the St.Michael Vineyard.

The vines are predominately north facing on a mild slope planted in a mix of gravely loam soil, ironstone, sandstone and granite rocks. The site is extremely rocky and is almost impossible to dig with a regular shovel. This results in a very low yield of fruit which is quite intense in flavour. The yield varies between 500 kg to 1 ton per acre.

David called his vineyard "Mia Creek Wines", but after a number of years and health issues encroaching, David decided to retire from farming and return to the suburbs of Melbourne.

Bernie and Clare de Kok purchased the property in October 2007 and with a desire to start things afresh, renamed the vineyard to Glenhope Ridge Estate as it was more in keeping with its location. We'll be endeavouring to improve and grow the vineyard to include more plantings of alternative vines and to also purchase fruit from other growers in the region to provide a greater variety and palette of wine on offer.