In 1973 Graeme Leith and Sue Mackinnon were looking for a 'life change' from their careers as electrical contractor and journalist, so they decided to create 'the best wine in the world'.

They picked a site on old gold diggings north west of Bendigo at Kingpower and used the headlights of their old van to plant their first few rows of grapevines - 150 shiraz, cabernet and riesling vines.

Soon they were successful.  Their first vintage - the 1982 shiraz cabernet won gold at the Melbourne Wine Show. In the years since, they have won many more medals for excellent wines.  The current 'stars' of Passing Clouds winery are 'The Angel' - a cab merlot cab franc blend, and 'Graeme's Blend' - a meatier, spicer shiraz cabernet.

Thanks to the warm Mediterranean climate in the western Bendigo district, Passing Clouds wines have a recognisable full and fleshy character that distinguishes them from other Bendigo wines. These wines display an opulence and plushness in the mouth - my sister said it was as though angels were literally cuddling the fruit flavours on her tongue. Perhaps that's where the name The Angel comes from.  Either way, wine like this lasts forever in the bottle – well, unless it's at my place.

No pesticides or insecticides are used on this property, so Passing Clouds wines are pure and untainted.

'Making wine is like making a fruit cake; good ingredients, a guiding hand and get the timing right!'  -  Graeme Leith.

- Daniel Jess