Olive Hills Estate

Olive Hills Estate sits on a 40-acre certified organic vineyard along the Murray Valley Highway in Rutherglen, one of Victoria's most storied wine regions. It's a working property — the kind of place where the vines you're looking at while sipping your wine are the same ones producing what's in your glass.

Rutherglen has been producing wine since the 1850s, building its reputation largely on rich fortified styles that suit the region's warm climate, low rainfall, and sandy loam soils. Olive Hills operates within that tradition while taking a distinctly modern approach to how the land is managed.

The Vineyard

Organic certification shapes everything at Olive Hills. The 40 acres are farmed using sustainable, low-input practices — no synthetic chemicals, with soil health central to the operation. Rutherglen's climate does much of the heavy lifting: long, warm summers concentrate sugars in the fruit, and the region's characteristic sandy loam soils drain well and add their own character to the wines. If you're curious about the specifics of how the property is managed, the cellar door team are a good source — it's worth asking.

Cellar Door Experience

The cellar door is relaxed and unpretentious, set against vineyard views across the property. You can browse and taste wines in a casual setting — this isn't a formal, timed-flight operation, but rather the kind of place where you can take your time. A wine shop is on-site if you find something you'd like to take home.

Tasting fees, the number of wines included, and any booking requirements aren't listed publicly, so it's worth checking the Olive Hills Estate website or ringing ahead before your visit to confirm current details.

Food and Dining

Food tasting platters are available on-site, making it easy to pair something to eat with your wines without having to plan around a separate restaurant booking. The specifics — what's on the platters, pricing, whether you need to book — aren't confirmed publicly, so contact the estate directly before visiting if food is part of your plans.

Getting There

Olive Hills Estate is at 3221 Murray Valley Highway, Rutherglen — roughly 270 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, around a three-hour drive. From Melbourne, the most direct route takes you along the Hume Highway through to Glenrowan, then along the Glenrowan-Rutherglen Road into town. The highway location makes access straightforward, and the property should be manageable for caravans, though it's worth confirming parking capacity if you're towing.

On-site parking is available, but during peak seasons — particularly the March to May harvest period — arriving earlier in the day is a practical idea.

Visitor Tips

• Book ahead for food: If platters are part of your visit, confirm availability and options before you arrive.
• Combine with the region: Rutherglen has a cluster of cellar doors within easy reach of each other — Olive Hills pairs well with a broader regional day trip.
• Best time to visit: Autumn (March to May) brings harvest activity and Rutherglen's vintage festivals. Spring (September to November) offers pleasant conditions with smaller crowds. Summer is popular but hot; winter is quiet.
• Ask about the organics: The estate's certified organic approach is part of what makes it distinctive in the region — the team can speak to how that shapes the wines.
• Allow half a day minimum if you're combining Olive Hills with other cellar doors in the area.