Beechworth’s Hidden Wineries will open cellar doors, sheds and vineyards to the public on the second weekend of the month.

Trail founder and Haldon Estate Wines co-owner Tracey Richards said the touring trail would improve access to Beechworth wineries.

She said there were only three wineries with full-time cellar doors at Beechworth.  

“There are 32 vineyards and wineries in the Beechworth GI however very few are accessible to the public with only a few full-time cellar doors,” she said. 

“The winery trail opens up nearly a dozen of Beechworth’s wineries to the public.”

Ms Richards said eight Beechworth wineries had joined the trail, which would operate from September to June.

She said other wineries planned to open two to three times during that period.

“Some wineries were operating cellar doors on an ad hoc, on demand or intermittent basis,” she said.

“Many visitors to the area find Beechworth’s wineries inaccessible due to the lack of permanent cellar doors and the requirement to make an appointment.

“In response to this I have developed a touring trail that will run once a month.”

Ms Richards said some wineries had cafes or offered tasting platters and hampers made to order.

“We encourage people to discover not only the wine, but the landmarks and attractions,” he said.

“It is also a great complement to the food scene.”

Together with her partner Ran Currie, Ms Richards bought Haldon Estate in 2009 before planting vineyards from 2010 to 2013.

They have planted 2.2ha of estate vines, which include chardonnay, riesling, semillon, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, nebbiolo, cabernet sauvignon and shiraz. 

“Beechworth is lucky because of its elevation,” she said.

“We’re 585 metres above sea level, Stanley is 800 metres.

“Our climate is different; we still have those cool nights and also those granite soils.”

Beechworth’s Hidden Wineries touring trail includes Bowman’s Run Winery, Star Lane Vineyard, Haldon Estate, Amulet Vineyard, Serengale Vineyard, Indigo Vineyard, Weathercraft and Baarmutha.

The wineries will next open on November 11 and 12 from 11am to 4pm.

Other wineries may open once or twice a year as a featured winery and already Sorrenberg, Domenica and The Ninth Mile have agreed to this.

For the Beechworth’s Hidden Wineries map visit Indigo Shire's tourist information centres. There are banners at participating wineries.

Visit facebook.com/groups/BeechworthHiddenWineries.