The newly refurbished Cleveland Estate offers forests and countryside charm from the heart of Central Victoria’s artisanal food and wine scene
Once the pioneering vineyard Cleveland Winery, Cleveland Estate is the first property under the LMG Collection, a sister property to Lancemore Group. The revamped accommodation, which debuted in February, offers 50 Victorian-era guestrooms and suites set in 150 acres of farmland. “We wanted the property, with its roots tied to Victoria’s gold rush era, to transcend time and trends and reflect LMG’s love of art and design,” said Julian Clark, CEO of Lancemore Hotel Group and LMG Collection.
Spearheaded by design and art enthusiast Caroline Riddell-Clark, the multimillion-dollar refurbishment pays homage to the estate’s homestead history dating back to 1887. The estate’s collection of hand-picked modern and antique pieces reflect Riddell-Clark’s decades-long enjoyment of “collecting intriguing pieces from my travels around Australia and abroad.”
Each accommodation building features a different unique design. For example, the Lakeview dwelling features timbers salvaged from wharves, bridges and other historic buildings. Guests can lounge in modern nature-inspired materials throughout the property while catching glimpses of cottage garden corners, vineyard vistas and panoramas that are home to alpacas and highland cattle.
Stays at Cleveland Estate are holistically designed with special focus given to incorporating local produce at the restaurant and cellar door. Once the stables of Cleveland Winery, the underground cellar door’s wines are crafted by winemaker Barney Flanders, reviving the winery’s revered reputation for vintages. Meanwhile, sommelier Jacquie Lewis designs Carriage House restaurant’s wine list. The Carriage House is set in the former shearing shed and features menu items blending traditional and contemporary Italian dishes.
Conveniently situated an hour’s drive from Melbourne’s CBD, the estate invites visitors to explore the treasures of the region. Nestled at the southern end of the Great Dividing Range, guests have access to nearby restaurants, cafes, natural attractions, boutiques, antiques shops and art galleries.