production

INNOVATIVE Passing Clouds at Musk, outside Daylesford, will soon be the first winery in Australia to have a train pulling in to its own station. A collaboration between Passing Clouds and Spa Country Railway, co-funded by Regional Development Victoria’s Wine Growth Fund, will see visitors able to arrive by train at Passing Clouds. The initiative led by Passing Clouds’ Cameron and Marion Leith is designed to create a unique experience for wine tourists and includes a complete re-build of the Passing Clouds cellar door, which is 6km from the thriving spa town of Daylesford. Passing Clouds, part of the Macedon Ranges wine region, produces some of the best cool-climate wines in the region and offers a complete tourism experience with a new cellar door, popular dining room, winery and vineyard. “In just two short years since we opened the dining room at Passing Clouds, visitation to the estate has increased exponentially and the demand for the small space we had available for cellar door visitors was being pushed to its limits,” says owner Cameron Leith. “The new cellar door allows visitors to take in the whole Passing Clouds experience in a fabulous new, modern, inclusive, open space. We couldn’t be happier to know visitors will now get the full experience when they visit us.” The new cellar door has terrific views of one of the region’s highest-altitude vineyards and a seamless light-filled space now integrates the dining room and cellar door experience. While walk in tastings are always available, Passing Clouds encourages bookings which can include a seated tasting and share platters.
Together with Spa Country Railway and with the funding provided by the Wine Growth Fund, a railway platform has been constructed at the bottom of the Passing Clouds estate and a new stop has been added to the regular timetable, making Passing Clouds a “must visit” destination for wine enthusiasts. It also takes away the risks associated with drink driving. “We aim to further increase patronage with our collaboration with the Spa Country Railway and the new Passing Clouds platform at Musk adjoining our property which will be a stop on the regular train route will add a remarkable and unique experience for wine tourists,” Leith says. Passing Clouds will soon launch a range of “ultimate food and wine packages” with train transfers including VIP tastings and lunch with matching wines at the dining room. Passing Clouds’ new cellar door is open seven days a week 10am-5pm. The Dining Room is open Friday to Monday for lunch from noon; phone (03) 5348 5550 or visit feast@passingclouds.com.au.