Angela Wood Kyneton Ridge Estate
Kyneton Ridge Estate is a family-run winery in the Macedon Ranges, known for its award-winning cool climate wines and beautiful views overlooking Black Hill Reserve.
Kyneton Ridge Estate produces cool climate wines adapted to season and sustainability, with new wave experimentation. Open on weekends and public holidays, it’s a place to drop in for a tasting or settle in for a leisurely afternoon overlooking the vines.
Co-owner and operator Angela Wood made a dramatic career shift when she and her husband purchased Kyneton Ridge Estate. Prior to taking over the winery in January 2020, Angela had been working as an artist in Melbourne, and when her husband left his long-term engineering job, they decided to do something completely different. The couple live onsite, with Angela working in the cellar door, managing the Ridge Cafe, and handling all the administrative work — trading her previous creative life for a new one rooted in wine, hospitality, and the Macedon Ranges.
We speak with Angela about her move from the city to Kyneton, what she loves about the regional town, and what’s coming up for the winery in 2026.
(Photos from Angela Wood, Kyneton Ridge Estate)
Mosey Guide (mg): What is your connection to Kyneton?
Angela Wood (aw): I have lived and worked here for over 6 years now. It is a great place and I enjoy being out of the city.
We moved here in January 2020, just as Covid hit, and we live onsite. Our winery is 8km from Kyneton — an easy drive.
(mg) What does Kyneton mean to you?
(aw) Kyneton is a great little town with a big heart. People are friendly, we can get most of what we need at the local shops and there are some really great dining options.
Kyneton is a great little town with a big heart.
(mg) What makes Kyneton different from other places you’ve lived or worked?
(aw) Having lived in Melbourne and overseas for many years, I like Kyneton for its small town vibe. People are friendly, it has country charm, the history is interesting, and it is only an hour to Melbourne.
(mg) What does your perfect day in Kyneton look like?
(aw) Sun is shining, weather is cool. Sitting under my favourite tree having Chardonnay with my husband in the late afternoon... Wait, that’s not Kyneton! A perfect day in Kyneton is getting a park in front of every shop I need to go to. Even better, going out for lunch in Kyneton — we are spoilt for choice.
(mg) Who are the other makers, creators, or people in the region that inspire you?
(aw) I’m inspired by other producers — not only wineries, but food producers as well. We support local businesses such as Hardwicks butchers, Dough Si Dough Bakery, Watts Fresh, Town Roaster Coffee, Mattina Bottega Focaccia, among others.
(mg) What are you working on right now that excites you?
(aw) We are preparing for our first ticketed concert at Kyneton Ridge. We have the Yachtski Brothers playing 70’s glam rock and will be serving 70’s style food. It will also be the launch of our 2025 Skipping Rabbit Pinot Noir.
I like Kyneton for its small town vibe. People are friendly, it has country charm...
(mg) What is the most memorable trip you’ve taken?
(aw) Italy — most specifically Alba (for Barolo) and Tuscany (Chianti Classico).
(mg) Where is your next travel destination?
(aw) Tasmania. We’ve been there a few times but haven’t done a lot of exploring.
(mg) How has travel changed the way you see the world?
(aw) I have done a lot of travel over the past 35 years, and I am always happy to come home. Especially over the past 5–10 years when international travel destinations and sights have become packed with people doing their bucket-list travel. It’s not so pleasant.
(mg) If you could recommend anywhere in the world for a mosey, where would it be?
(aw) Alba, in the Piedmont area of Italy. The scenery is beautiful, so many historic family wineries, including Gaia and Produttori del Barbaresco, Varja, Pio Cesare... just to mention a few.
Local knowledge
Favourite local ingredient or product:
Local wines — I love Granite Hills Riesling.
What to do beyond Piper Street:
Try Mollison Street — Third Drawer Down, Country Cob Bakery, Albion Hotel, Shamrock Hotel, Kyneton Hotel, Scott Banks Fine Wines, Watts Fresh, Mollison’s, the Alchemist Art Supplies.
Best coffee in Kyneton:
Town Roaster in Market Street.
Favourite shop:
The shoe shop in High Street, and Stockroom Art Gallery.
Go-to spot to reset or find inspiration:
Home. During the week when the cafe and cellar door is closed, it’s quiet and peaceful.
Kyneton must-eats:
Donkey — southern fried chicken.
Prato — Mediterranean casual food, great wines, particularly the Italian Soave.
Little Swallow — just a really nice place to have lunch. The owners are very kind and community minded.
Midnight Starling — great French inspired food, a place for a special night out, great wine list and service.
Marchesa — delicious Italian food.
Albion Hotel — owned by a chef, the food is good pub food, great for people with gluten-free requirements.
Shamrock Hotel — more great pub food, big servings, moderate price and friendly service.
Kyneton’s best kept secret:
How many wineries are in the region — it is about 45!
24 hours in Kyneton:
The Botanic Gardens, Piper Street Wine Bar, Donkey, Prato restaurant. Actually, most people who come and visit just want to hang around the winery, go for a walk around Blackhill Reserve or feed my sheep and alpacas.
