The ambitious winery hidden 35 minutes from Melbourne CBD

<p>What happens when a former linguistics student leaves the Hunter Valley to help build one of Victoria&rsquo;s most ambitious wine estates from the ground up?</p> <p>In this episode of the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, Anna Webster sits down with Alex Beckett, Director of Wine at Marnong Estate, to unpack the philosophy, ambition, and evolution behind one of Victoria&rsquo;s most talked-about wine destinations.</p> <p>From cool-climate pinot noir and chardonnay to Italian varieties like fiano and sangiovese, Alex explains how Marnong is shaping a modern identity for the historic Sunbury wine region while balancing accessibility, family values, and serious winemaking ambition.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://marnongestate.com.au/">Marnong Estate</a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://marnongestate.com.au/">Marnong Estate on Instagram</a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://marnongestate.com.au/">Alex Beckett on Instagram</a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://winecompanion.com.au/">Halliday Wine Companion</a></strong></p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/winecompanion/">Halliday&nbsp;Wine Companion on Instagram</a></strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/annawebster_"><strong>Anna Webster on Instagram</strong></a></p> <p><strong><a href="https://shop.winecompanion.com.au/products/2026-halliday-wine-companion">Buy the <em>2026 Halliday Wine Companion</em></a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The conversation explores:</p> <ul> <li aria-level="1">Why Alex left the Hunter Valley to join Marnong Estate</li> <li aria-level="1">The vision behind building a winery, restaurants, and community destination in Mickleham</li> <li aria-level="1">The evolution of Marnong&rsquo;s wine program and estate-grown philosophy</li> <li aria-level="1">Cool-climate viticulture in Sunbury and why the region is underrated</li> <li aria-level="1">Italian grape varieties thriving in Victoria</li> <li aria-level="1">The future of Australian chardonnay and site-driven winemaking</li> <li aria-level="1">Alex&rsquo;s Master of Wine journey and obsession with terroir</li> <li aria-level="1">Why wine should feel accessible, communal, and exciting</li> </ul> <p>Alex also shares insights into Marnong&rsquo;s expanding vineyard plantings, future hotel plans, and the long-term ambition to create wines that sit amongst Australia&rsquo;s best, while still remaining approachable and family-oriented.</p> <p>If you&rsquo;re interested in Australian wine, em