A boutique winery just two hours from Melbourne has hit the market, offering buyers an affordable country escape with a lucrative side hustle.
The five-acre property at 175 Napier Road, Mirboo features a quaint three-bedroom home with stunning views of the vineyards surrounding the house, and is on the market for $895,000.
The gently sloping block is planted with pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, shiraz and pinot gris grapes that are used to produce wine under the boutique Red Door Estate label.
![175 Napier Road, Mirboo, Vic 3871](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 800 450"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Budding winemakers can try their hand at viticulture at this picturesque property two hours east of Melbourne. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The house itself dates back to the 1940s and has been lovingly maintained and updated, with a back deck providing the ideal spot to sample a drop of the latest vintage.
A large shed serves a cellar door, where the current owners host tastings and sell wine made onsite.
The three-bedroom house features a striking red door that gives the boutique winery its name. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
It’s also home to winemaking equipment that is available to purchase separately along with the business name.
Also included on the hobby farm are a fruit orchard, olive grove and landscaped gardens, as well as a pizza oven, rainwater tanks and a garage.
An insulated and wood-fire-heated shed serves as a cellar door, with winemaking equipment available for purchase separately. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
A two-ace paddock at the rear of the property allows for expansion of the vineyard or space for animals to graze.
Owners John and Adrienne Neilson said the 1600-plus vines produce about 3.7 tonnes of fruit annually, which works out to about 2000 bottles.
The current owners sell wine from the cellar door and at local farmers markets. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
“It’s paid our mortgage so it holds its own,” Mr Neilson said. “If someone diversified into chardonnay to round the selection off they could make a pretty good living.”
Ms Neilson said the property's relaxing feel and the breathtaking views were among it's best features.
"Friends and family say as they drive into our place they just feel the serenity and the peace,” she said.
After owning the property for 11 years, the couple, who split their time between Melbourne and the winery, have opted to put it on the market to free up time to travel.
The back deck offers stunning views of the vineyards and rolling hills of the surrounding landscape. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Sales agent Bec Cook of Stockdale and Leggo said the winery would appeal to both local buyers as well as Melburnians looking for a tree change.
“It’s just the quintessential country property,” she said. “With proximity to town, beautiful views and period features, it ticks all the boxes.
“It’s such a beautiful setting and it would make a great bed and breakfast.”
More options for budding winemakers
There are a handful of other affordable properties on the market now offering buyers the chance to turn their hand at viticulture for about $1 million or less.
A 2.3 hectare property at Barmera in South Australia’s Riverland region is on the market for $835,000.
The vineyard is irrigated thanks to 20.6 megalitres of water rights. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The property features shiraz grapevines planted in 1994 and includes winemaking equipment and rainwater tanks and a large shed.
The three-bedroom house on the property includes solar panels, ducted air conditioning and lush green lawns.
A 4.2kW solar system takes full advantage of the riverland's sunny climate. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
At nearby Loxton, a 12.85 hectare property features nine varieties of grapes planted as far back as 1953, including Shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and viognier.
Known as 'Gums and Roses', the large property includes a renovated 1920s homestead. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
It includes a beautifully renovated three-bedroom home surrounded by manicured rose gardens and towering gum trees.
The lovely gardens are as much of a selling point as the nine different varieties of grapes grown at the vineyard. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Meanwhile, a 2.8 hectare property outside Quantong in Victoria’s northwest is listed for $799,950.
The hobby farm features ample space for a variety of agricultural pursuits. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
It includes a spacious four-bedroom brick house and a large shed, as well as vineyards, and orchard and vegetable gardens.