The parched, sun exposed vines at Water Wheel are only a slight distance from the shade of giant river gums, which grow along the banks of Loddon River. Ancient eucalypts infuse the grapes with a treasure trove of complex, elegant flavours. A salient Bendigo Cabernet that's warming and generous with intense flavours and long, drying tannins, ideally suited to meat braises and grills, steak and kidney pie or venison bangers.

The proprietors of Water Wheel have farmed locally for many years and place a strong emphasis on sustainable horticulture and vineyard management. Vines are planted to heavy clay soils interspersed by pieces of limestone. Hedge trellising exposes grapes to the sun for maximum ripeness. All vines are irrigated from the nearby Loddon river with ground level mini sprays, all cropped at three tonne per acre. Cabernet Sauvignon is vinified in open fermenters at 20C to 22C, the cap pumped over, plunged and pressed at dryness. Water Wheel has been aged in a combination of new and seasoned, mostly American oak hogsheads, crafted by prestigious European cooperages.