A Saucy Jaunt to Hanging Rock Winery: Where Art Meets Wine
My friend and I took a saucy jaunt to Woodend. Wine was involved! But art was our higher calling. Promise.
We drove to Hanging Rock Winery, near Woodend, where the volcanic outcrop made famous by Joan Lindsay’s novel and Peter Weir’s film dominates the landscape.
But we didn’t picnic or call for Miranda. Instead, we strolled along the winery’s Art in the Vines trail, glass in hand. The Rock loomed in the distance, as if looking down on us.
Annual Art in the Vines
Every October, Hanging Rock Winery transforms into a massive open-air gallery. This year’s Art in the Vines: Art in Motion 2 exhibition runs until 30 April 2027.
Our banter went something like this:
“Ooh, I like this one.”
“That’s clever.”
“I know nothing about art, but I know what I like.”
If someone had asked us about wine, we would probably have responded similarly.
It reminded me that you don’t need a sommelier’s refined palate or a degree in art history to enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
Ours was an idyllic afternoon wandering across the lush green grass, glass of red in hand. Birds called from the massive trees, and the fresh country air and gentle afternoon warmth made it easy to relax. John Denver’s timeless line, “Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy,” never left my mind.
There was no need to hurry. We could simply enjoy the surroundings and let the afternoon unfold.
There was plenty for our taste buds, too. Hanging Rock Winery produces more than 20 estate-made cool-climate wines, including sparkling wines, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Riesling.
Art in the Vines: Art in Motion 2
John Ellis OAM and his wife Ann Tyrrell established Hanging Rock Winery in 1983. Today, the next generation runs the family business: daughter Ruth Ellis oversees sales and marketing, while son Robert (Rob) Ellis manages the winemaking.
When Ruth poured my drink, I couldn’t resist asking how the winery’s Art in the Vines exhibition came about. She was happy to share the story, keeping a perfectly steady pour as she did so.
Before COVID, the winery had a huge expanse of lawn with just a handful of tables. Ruth saw an opportunity to transform the space into something special.
“Our exhibition curator, Malcolm Thomson, lives next door to my sister-in-law. One day, she was riding her horse when they struck up a conversation. He mentioned he was semi-retired.
‘Not anymore,’ she told him. ‘I have a job for you to do.’
“Malcolm went on to curate the first Art in the Vines exhibition in 2018, and it has become an annual event.”
It was a happy meeting of opportunity and local talent. As Ruth explained, the Macedon Ranges and Mount Alexander have an exceptionally strong community of artists, giving the winery a wonderful pool of talent to draw on.
The event also attracts interstate and international sculptors, some of whose works are held in major collections, including the NGV and the National Gallery of Australia.
For the second year running, the exhibition features kinetic sculptures. This year’s display brings together 50 works by 30 local and international artists, including 25 kinetic pieces. Designed to turn, flex and respond to the breezes of the Macedon Ranges, these sculptures constantly change as you move around the grounds.
“It’s really interesting because a lot of the artists have never done anything like this before. It’s a bit of fun, but it also creates a challenge,” Ruth said.
For the winery, however, the event is about more than showcasing an impressive collection of outdoor sculptures. Supporting artists and helping them sell their work is central to its philosophy.
“With the yearly exhibition, sales for the artists are our number one priority,” Ruth explained.
“We don’t only sell the larger works. We have all sizes, even ones that will fit in backyards or make a fantastic centrepiece in a city courtyard. Many city dwellers come to have a look.”
Meet the Sculptors
Featured among the artists is Rudi Jass, one of Australia’s best-regarded kinetic sculptors, with five works on display. His sculptures have also featured on television programs including Burke’s Backyard and ABC’s Gardening Australia.
German-born Jass trained as a mechanical engineer and began his career repairing Porsches before moving into sculpture. His carefully balanced creations respond to the slightest breeze, moving with almost effortless grace. Some elements spin through the air like helicopter propellers.
Jass describes the appeal of his work as a visual dance between nature and sculpture, with stainless steel’s reflective qualities adding another dimension. He believes the gentle, soothing movement can create a serene, almost dreamlike experience for viewers.
During our visit, the exhibition’s prize winners were also announced.
Mark Reyment won the Hanging Rock Winery Sculpture Prize for At least you know it’s trying, a quirky work inspired by the Hanging Rock Races. This is not a sculpture you simply stand back and admire. It’s interactive: turn the crank and watch the horse and rider move across the scene.
Paul Hurley of Hurleywood Creations, a chainsaw artist based in the Macedon Ranges, was awarded the Arcare Prize for Best Up-and-Coming Artist. His winning work, Black Cockatoo, showcases his attention to detail and ability to transform a fallen tree into an enduring work of wildlife art.
Planning Your Visit
Transport
The drive from Melbourne’s CBD to Hanging Rock Winery takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Hanging Rock Winery has no direct public transport. Take the V/Line train from Southern Cross Station to Woodend on the Bendigo line, then arrange a local taxi in advance.
Find out how to get around the Macedon Ranges without a car.
Accessibility
The Art in the Vines exhibition spans three acres of lawn. The winery and cellar door areas are generally accessible, but the sculpture trail involves walking across outdoor lawn areas that can be uneven.
Walking across the lawn with a glass of wine in hand certainly requires a steady step. All I can say is I didn’t spill a drop!
Visitors with mobility difficulties may still enjoy some of the sculptures without walking the entire trail. Contact the winery beforehand to discuss access arrangements and the best way to view selected works.
Hanging Rock Winery Details
Art in the Vines: Art in Motion 2: 17 October 2026 – 30 April 2027
Open seven days, 10am–5pm. Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday.
Entry to Art in the Vines is free.
Wine critic James Halliday has given Hanging Rock Winery multiple Red Five Star ratings.
The cellar door offers complimentary wine tastings. Picnic tables are available, where you can enjoy a local produce platter and a glass of wine while taking in the views of Hanging Rock and Mount Macedon.
For further information, contact 03 5427 0542 or cellardoor@hangingrock.com.au.
Other Wineries Where Art Meets Wine
Hanging Rock Winery isn’t the only place where art and wine come together. Several wineries within easy reach of Melbourne have created their own sculpture trails, making them fascinating day-trip destinations.
Elgee Park was among the earliest wineries near Melbourne to develop a sculpture trail, opening its collection to visitors in 1984. Others have followed.
More Sculpture Trails Within Easy Reach of Melbourne
| Winery | Location | Sculpture experience | Visitor information |
| Elgee Park | Merricks North | More than 60 large-scale sculptures, including works by Clement Meadmore and Inge King. Interesting connections to art patron Sunday Reed and the Baillieu family. | Open one day a month for tastings and sculpture tours. Check dates before visiting. |
| Montalto | Red Hill | 35 contemporary sculptures, including 20 winners of the annual Montalto Sculpture Prize. | Free 1km Sculpture Walk. Undulating and steep in places. Paid wine tastings. |
| Pt. Leo Estate | Merricks | More than 60 monumental Australian and international sculptures with panoramic ocean views. | Sculpture park: $15 adults, $8 concession. Free entry when dining. |
| Mount Monument | Romsey | Contemporary sculpture collection integrated into the vineyard and olive grove. Designed by architect Nonda Katsalidis (of MONA fame). | Free to visit. $15 tasting fee redeemable against wine purchases. |
By the end of the afternoon, I was completely won over. I know what I like, and I do like a country jaunt that engages all the senses. It inspired me to explore more of our regional winery sculpture trails. Art and wine, I’ve decided, truly are the perfect pairing.
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