Australian Wine Regions
Australia's first vineyards were planted in 1788 in a small area near the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Today you will find vineyards throughout more than 60 designated wine regions totaling approximately 160,000 hectares. Current export figures place Australia as the fourth largest exporter of wine, selling to more than 100 countries around the world and contributing $5.5 billion to the nation's economy.
Few of Australian’s wine regions:
South Australia
With a rich history dating back to 1842, the Barossa has become one of Australia's most famous wine regions. The climate is ideal for full bodied red wines, fortified wines and robust white wines. The two soil types are relatively low in fertility. The Barossa region produces a great variety of wine, with the main styles being Chardonnay, Riesling, Semillon, Grenache and Mourvedre, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
Vines were first planted in the Coonawarra region in 1890, and since then grape production in the area has evolved through three distinct historical periods. The region is only 60 kilometers (37 miles) inland, and is predominantly exposed to a maritime climate, with dry and moderately cool summers. The climate in the region causes wine production to be quite unique, as cloud cover generally moderates the ripening period temperatures. The main wine styles produced in Coonawarra include Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
The Eden Valley is located alongside the Barossa Valley and both saw their first vines planted in 1842. The Eden Valley's growing season temperatures are significantly lower than those of the Barossa, with the final stages of ripening and harvesting take place in much cooler conditions. Water availability is a limiting factor in the expansion of vineyards. The main wine styles produced include Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
The Adelaide Plains are hot and arid, with annual rainfall among the lowest of any Australian wine region, and thus heavily dependent on irrigation. Most production is processed in the Barossa Valley, with the exception of a number of small producers who have shown just what can be achieved with the fruit of the region. The soils in the area are excellent and readily support high yields. The main styles produced are Chardonnay, Colombard, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
McLaren Vale’s mixture of international wine brands, family-owned wineries and artisan winemakers delivers a complete offering of premium red and white wines. Varying exposure and changes in altitude and soil types throughout the region ensure an inspiring mix of food, wine and lifestyle.
Enthusiastic, energetic and passionate are often the words used to describe people who live and work in the region. The unique marriage of a wine region and beach lifestyle has created a melting pot for all things culinary, vinous and artistic. McLaren Vale is widely recognised as one of Australia’s greenest wine regions because of its ongoing water use efficiency strategies and commitment to environmental sustainability. With a mixture of wine brands of international significance, the Vale has a complete offering of premium red and white wines.
Riverland winemakers are encouraging style development and making full flavoured, generous and approachable wines that are popular the world over. It is Australia’s largest wine producing region, and its growers and wineries have embraced innovative techniques to create naturally fruit-driven wines.
New South Wales
The Hunter region comprises the Upper and Lower areas of the Hunter Valley, which are linked by the Hunter River. Both areas face high temperatures over summer, with the majority of the rainfall occurring between January and April. The main wine styles produced include Semillon, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Verdelho.
Mudgee's viticultural history stretches back to 1858. Its climate is not ideal, with frosts and cold nights delaying budburst in spring, and irrigation is essential on the majority of sites. History shows that yields have been restricted more by inadequate water for irrigation than by any deficiency in the soils or its structure. The main wine styles produced in the area include Chardonnay, Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
Vines in the Orange region were first planted commercially in 1980. Since 2000 opportunities for major vineyard development have slowed due to irrigation restrictions. The climate is strongly influenced by, and largely dependent on, the region's elevation. The soils vary widely and are of fundamental importance in determining site selection. The main wine styles produced are Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot and Shiraz.
The Riverina has a viticulture history dating back to 1912. Today it is a very important region, responsible for 15% of total grape production in Australia. Botrytised Semillon is the region's outstanding speciality; other wine styles produced include Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Canberra District is formed by two areas of vineyards. The climate is one of extreme highs and lows, and irrigation is highly desirable if any semblance of yield consistency is to be maintained. The majority of wineries are small, but it has become an important industry in the area. The main wine styles include Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
Victoria
The Yarra Valley is now recognised as one of Australia's foremost producers of Pinot Noir and is a leading maker of fine, long-lived Chardonnay and excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz.
King Valley has extremely varied terrain and is one of the highest wine grape growing areas in Australia. It is fertile country, capable of producing high yields of good quality grapes across the full spectrum from Chardonnay to Cabernet Sauvignon. The geographic layout ranges from basically flat in the north to mountainous in the extreme south, which significantly changes the climate and suitable grape varieties grown across the region. Most vineyards have been established on relatively gentle slopes, typically north and north-east facing. The higher altitude climate is particularly ideal for the production of fine sparkling wine. The main wine styles produced also include Chardonnay, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sagrantino, Barbera, dolcetto, Savagnin, Prosecco and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Offering premium wines and regional cuisine only an hour from Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula also has a long-standing reputation as a seaside playground thanks to its endless ocean beaches, calm bays, natural beauty and world-class golf courses and tourist attractions. There is a huge choice of aquatic activities for visitors.
Generally speaking, the landscape is open, with gently undulating hills, rolling green pastures and tranquil vineyards. While the vineyard holdings are usually small, significant tracts of land are being given over to viticulture.
The Murray Darling has a history of wine production and grape growing and contributes significantly to global brands belonging to large corporations. Over the past 10 years many medium-sized, recognised wineries have developed, and the past two years have seen a large number of smaller wineries emerge. The region now has 25-30 boutique wine producers.
Western Australia
Margaret River produces some of the best value-for-money white wines in Australia, with blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, while some red blends, such as Cabernet Merlot, have proved outstanding. Many other varieties flourish in the area, producing appealing wines such as Verdelho, Riesling and Chenin Blanc. The moderating influences of the nearby oceans and the marked Mediterranean climate in terms of rainfall ensure slow, even ripening for beautifully balanced fruit.
Grapes from the Geographe region are eagerly sought by major winemakers elsewhere in Western Australian to use in their leading labels. The rapid expansion of boutique producers in the region is an extra magnet for visitors attracted by breathtaking scenery and beaches on popular tourism routes, less than two hours' drive south of Perth, and close to other populated areas like Mandurah, Bunbury and Busselton.
Skirting the south-west Australian coast and pushing northwards back into the hinterland almost 100 kilometres (60 miles), this is a very large region even by Australian standards. It ranges from the coastal, maritime subregions of Albany and Denmark to the unequivocally inland and continental subregions of Mount Barker, Porongurup and Frankland River; from fat country to lean, with large areas untouched by vineyards. In these circumstances it is indeed surprising that there is such a degree of coherence in the wine styles being produced.
Blackwood Valley is one of Western Australia’s most picturesque wine regions. Since 1976 this region has increasingly taken advantage of its favourable soils and climactic conditions to produce wines of class and distinction. Complementing the wine is the special environment; bush walks are favourite activities for tourists, who also enjoy local restaurants, art works and antiques.
Tasmania
Tasmania is one of Australia’s cool climate wine producing zones, well known for producing award-winning premium sparkling wine, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling. A boutique industry that produces less than 1% of Australia’s overall wine production but accounts for more than 6% of Australia’s overall premium wine sales, it is growing in size and reputation
Source: Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation
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