Blackjack Vineyards
Star Cellar Door
(03) 5474 2355
blackjackwines.com.au
Blackjack means red wine and has since Ian McKenzie and Ken Pollack planted vines on an old apple orchard in 1988. As one of the first wineries in the resurgence of the Bendigo region, they quickly established a reputation for concentrated, full-bodied, supple wines, with shiraz as the shining light.
With a very loyal following they have remained true to their style. This a small operation where a visit to the cellar door (open weekends and public holidays) is likely to result in hearing the tales of the wines directly from one of the winemakers.
Recent years have seen the expansion of the range to include three wines at a ‘weeknight drinking’ price point. However, it’s the Estate range on which their reputation is based.
With back vintages often available from the cellar door, you don’t need to be patient to see how well these wines can age. NICOLE BILSON
OUTSTANDING WINE: 2017 Blackjack Block 6 Shiraz, A$38