About Cape Horn

When you visit us you will feel you have entered an oasis of pure Murray River leisure and relaxation.

Not only will you find a well established Cellar Door for tasting of our richly flavoured wine collection, you’ll also be able to enjoy authentic Murray River redgum wood fired pizzas cooked to order, we also cater for gluten free diners. Or perhaps a simple, yet generous cheese platter or trio of dip plate to enjoy with your wine whist watching the water drift by.

Our outdoor picnic area is available all year round with either umbrellas to shade or wood fires to warm. And it is perfect for the entire family, including your pooch.

There are games to play for the young and older, a children’s play ground and a large chess board to test your strategic thinking. All whilst enjoying our wines or a beverage from our fully stocked bar.

Cape Horn Wineyard Food Menu 2018

Show Menu

On weekends you can expect acoustic music to enhance the already perfect ambiance, look at our Music Calendar on our What’s On page to check what music is available.

Our courtesy bus is available for groups of 10 adults or more and can accommodate up to 21 per trip. We are more than happy to collect you and return you home at the end of a wonderful day out at Cape Horn Vineyard & Cellar Door.

We also provide a boat jetty if you prefer to visit us by river and even a yard if your mode of transport is of an equine variety.

You will love our venue so much that you’ll wish to stay with us. And you can, in our newly constructed 5 bedroom Vineyard Villa. Imagine watching the sun rise or set across the Murray River or our grape vines from your balcony or private bedroom window. It can’t get better than that!

Once a popular picnic spot

The Paddlesteamer days back in 1865 to 1910 were a boom time for Echuca and surrounds. From the earliest days of Echuca’s history, growth and development of the area has been intimately linked with the Murray River System.

When the rail link was established in Echuca with Melbourne in 1864, the riverboat trade and township grew rapidly and opened up inland Australia for settlement.

For many years Echuca was the main ship building centre for the river transport industry and so did the demand for red gum as a durable timber for wharf piles, railway sleepers and building materials.

In the 1870’s the district supported a dozen timber mills cutting in excess of 1000 logs each week. The Barmah Forest, upstream of the vineyard site, was where much of the red gum felling was carried out.

It was during this boom that the first Shiraz grapes were planted at Cape Horn Vineyard, developed to service the thriving River Boat trade. Located at a convenient half way point between Echuca and Barmah, Cape Horn Vineyard was a perfect stopping spot for the big boats to restock supplies and it became recognised as a popular picnic spot for day trippers from Echuca and Moama during this time.

Located on a sand hill wedged between the Murray and Goulbourn Rivers the unusual name comes from the bend in the Murray River at the vineyard’s location. It was considered by riverboat Captains of the 19th century to resemble South America’s Cape Horn, hence the Vineyard name was established. A replica of the river bend is depicted on all Cape Horn Vineyard wine labels and branding and is now highly recognised throughout the viticulture industry.

A renewed life

For many decades, Cape Horn Vineyard lay waiting for a renewed life and the Harrison family re established the vineyard in 1994 with the planting of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Durif, Marsanne and Zinfandel vines.

Now Cape Horn Vineyard and Riverside Bar is proudly owned by the Gilmour and Buckley families, both of whom have a long connection with the Murray River and the Echuca-Moama region.

The Vineyard and Riverside Bar now boasts a contemporary and spacious 5 bedroom Cape Horn Villa for guests to escape to the tranquil surrounds of grape vines.

Also added in recent times to embrace the Cellar Door and river views is the Riverside Deck providing perfect views for diners and wine tasters to relax and escape busy lives for a short while.

Shade sails, umbrellas and mist fans are provided during the summer months, along with the air conditioned Cellar Door, whilst in winter, pit fire places, gas heaters and the heated Cellar Door keeps you warm. Your hosts even supply marshmallows for toasting!

Whilst you relax watching the river flow by and tasting the Cape Horn wines, you can enjoy wood fired pizzas, cheese platters and dips along with a fully stocked bar.

Cape Horn Vineyard and Riverside Bar is the perfect venue for the entire family. Kids enjoy the playground and giant chess board, or just playing ball games on the extensive lawn area, and your pets are welcome too. The entry to the Vineyard is often seen with tethered horses comfortably grazing whist their riders enjoy a wine with a wood fired pizza.

You can tie your tinny or ski boat to the mooring jetty after meandering upstream from Echuca (approximately 30 minutes). A courtesy bus is available upon request for 10 adults or more and acoustic musicians can be enjoyed most weekends (refer to our What’s On page and download our Music Calendar).

There is no better place to sit back and take in the serenity of Cape Horn Vineyard and Riverside Bar, only 15 minutes from Echuca.