Whilst there is a strong link to the region and grape growing since the 1860's it was in the 1970s that the vine came to the Mount Ida and Mount Camel ranges. Only then did viticulture on the now-famous “Greenstone” soils begin in earnest. Indeed, the famous vineyard of Jasper Hill (an immediate neighbour of Heathcote Estate) was planted as recently as 1975.

The most renowned feature of the region is the “Greenstone” soils, which are in fact rich red-brown in colour. They have evolved because of the decomposition of “Greenstone”, a metamorphosed igneous extrusion rock over the course of the five hundred million years since the Cambrian era. The deep red Cambrian soil imparts uniquely identifiable characteristics of ripe full-flavoured wines with deep purple/black colour. The soil features deep water retention capabilities, crucial to an area with low rainfall. This Heathcote “red” country begins about 20kms south-east of the town, runs westwards south of it, then turns north along the town's western edge, continuing about 60 kms to the north, along the Mount Ida range, past Mount Camel and its range until it peters out south-east of Rochester.

The climate of the region is distinctly cooler than either of its neighbours, especially in its southern areas for the very valid reason that during the growing season the prevailing winds blow from the south and south-east along the Mount Camel Range from the adjoining Macedon Ranges region and cool what otherwise might be a much warmer area.

The Heathcote climate is one of moderate warmth, comparable with that of the central and northern Rhone Valley. The region provides the perfect balance of adequate warmth to properly ripen Shiraz but yet is cool enough to impart elegance. The idyllic climate and unique soil conditions make Heathcote one of the worlds leading regions for the production of ultra-premium Shiraz.