Pauline Russell and John Boucher's Kyneton Ridge Estate Cellar Door project was officially opened on Sunday.

The opening was performed by Victoria's Treasurer and Minister for State and Regional Development and Innovation, John Brumby.

Mr Brumby surprised guests at the opening of the cellar door complex when he told them that for the last two years wine had exceeded wheat as an export earner for Victoria.

He said he was happy to open the new facility at Kyneton Ridge and paid tribute to the commitment and hard work John and Pauline had put into the winery.

"This is a magnificent location, but in 1997 it was just acres and a dam. John and Pauline have made an extraordinary contribution (to the wine and tourism industries), culminating in James Halliday awarding them four and a half stars (out of five) for their 2002 Pinot.

"The Macedon Ranges wine region, of which this vineyard is a part, has been very successful in promotion at the top end of the value curve," he said.

Mr Brumby said Victoria's wine exports had grown from $56 million a decade ago to $435 million today, making wine Victoria's 12 the highest export dollar earner.

Mr Brumby also praised the work of the Macedon Ranges Vignerons Association, formed in 2003 to assist with viticultural winemaking and promotion of the Macedon Ranges wine region.

"The growth of wineries in Victoria in recent years has been phenomenal, up from about 350 five years ago to around 460 now.

"Today you can head off in any direction from Melbourne and you will always find yourself in one of Victoria's superb 22 wine regions." he said.

He added that Victoria is the only state paying cellar door subsidies.

"Victoria attracts 44% of all our international wine tourism, contributing $412 million to the state's economy," he said.

Introducing Mr Brumby, Graham Ellender, president of the Macedon Ranges Vignerons' Association, said the group was proud to have Kyneton Ridge Estate within the region and the association.

"Just the presentation shows their work and passion," he said.

He said the Macedon Ranges wine region covered an area in the east from Kilmore, to Taradale in the north, Daylesford in the west and Gisborne in the south.

"Amongst Victorian regions considered to be cool climate we are unique, being continental, not maritime. "We have warm days and cold nights during the ripening season, this suits the Burgundian grape varieties of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay," he said. Mr Ellender said Pauline and John "have set a stunning example for us all to follow, congratulations to them".

by Don Gunn
Midland Express