Vale Hill House: “Once we buy this place, it will be portrayed’’

One of Australia’s most romantic and important homes is on the market.

Described as a “masterpiece of the convergence of history, architecture and landscape”, Vale Hill House is a 4-hectare estate in Ullina, near the towns of central Daylesford, Creswick and Clunes.

Its current owner Chris Taylor bought it for $3.3 million with late partner Medibank chief marketing director Lisa Ronson.

“We bought it in a tree-changing way, realizing our long-term ambition to own rural property,” Taylor said.

“We were only in Melbourne for 10 months when we were locked and hit.

“A friend owns a property nearby and we fell in love with the area…. Buying is our dream.

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“Until then, our career was the priority…but when we bought this place, it gave us a sense of purpose and brought work into the horizon.”

The house was built in the 1850s by Scottish stonemason Peter McRorie, the area was the residence of the mine manager, after gold was discovered in the area.

The property has been in ruins for decades after being destroyed by a fire in 1978.

It wasn’t until 2005 that the rebirth of the house began, with Centrum Architects and late interior designer Stuart Rattle fusing 19th-century Bluestone to create the current structure.

Soon after, it appeared in ABC’s Dream Build and Stephen Crafti in a book in the country.

The house consists of four bedrooms, two kitchens, three and a half bathrooms, a double height entrance, and a wine cellar dating back to the 1850s.

The original bluestone walls form the heart of the larger house, and the aging hardwood lintels, windows and door frames were restored after the fire.

The master suite offers views of Kooroocheang Mountain and features ensuite, dressing room, private study and study.

Two spacious guest bedrooms share a second bathroom with the spa.

Climate control is managed through split system units, floor heating and working fireplaces.

The original wine cellar was made from hand-made bricks that keeps exquisitely cool even on the hottest summer days, and can hold over 500 bottles.

Its latest owners have created short-term accommodation in a separate separate barn.

The destruction remains of the old milking shed have been transformed into a charming grotto, now known as the Champagne Room, with a dome iron roof and laser-cut fence forming an intimate, atmospheric space.

The property also houses one of Victoria’s largest and most productive household edible gardens – two hectares of rare fruit trees, orchards and terraces.

Another highlight is the newly installed 360,000 liter aquatic garden.

Sales agent Kim McQueen’s price guide is between $3 million and $4 million.

“It’s an incredible property, absolutely amazing, and the historical part of the building has been beautifully restored,” McQueen said.

“We hope it will be very popular.”