Australian wine has a good reputation and is enjoyed not only in Australia but throughout the world. For example, as of July 2004, 6 of the top 10 brands of wine sold in the United Kingdom were Australian with Hardys being number 1, Jacobs Creek number 3 and Lindemans, Banrock Station, Rosemount and Wolf Blass occupying places 7 to 10 respectively.
Good quality wine is made throughout the country with South Australia being the most prolific producer. Although this just scratches the surface, a selection of just some of the many wine regions throughout Australia are:
The Hunter Valley is a thriving New South Wales wine producing and tourist region, around 2-3 hours comfortable drive north of Sydney. The Hunter Region is split into the Upper and Lower Hunter. Most of the visitable wineries are in the Lower Hunter with some notable exceptions eg. the multi award winning Rosemount Estate in the Upper Hunter. The Lower Hunter has been long established as a tourist retreat with a good selection of accommodation, cellar doors and restaurants. more...
The Barossa Valley, less than an hour from Adelaide is one of the most well known of the South Australian wine regions if not in Australia. The area consists of softly rolling hills forming shallow fertile valleys which combine with the perfect South Australian Mediterranean climate to produce one of the best wine producing regions in Australia. The Barossa Valley is also at the top of many Australians favourite holiday destinations since it combines beautiful countryside, picturesque villages as well as fine food and wine. more...
The Coonawarra region, renowned and almost revered for its wineries, is located in the far south east of South Australia. This relatively small elliptical shaped strip of rich volcanic terra rossa soil is close to the border with Victoria and part of the famous 'Limestone Coast' region. It is impossible to say there is one 'best region' in Australia as conditions change from year to year and there is such a diverse range of excellent wine growing areas in the country, however, the Coonawarra has certainly produced some exceptional wines . more...
The Clare Valley is another of the fabulous wine areas South Australia has in abundance. Clare Valley is famous for its Shiraz and especially its Riesling which is regarded as amongst the very best in the world, ranking alongside the Mosel and Alsace. The region was originally settled by English, Irish and Polish immigrants in the mid 1800's and even today there is much evidence of the early influences . more...
The Yarra Valley is similar to the Hunter Valley because it is relatively close to a major city (The Yarra Valley being close to Melbourne and The Hunter Valley being close to Sydney) and therefore has become established as a major tourist centre. It is possible to take day trips from Melbourne and taste wine at over 20 cellar doors including some well known brands such as De Bortoli and Domaine Chandon (owned by Moet and Chandon). Dandenong is a small town 30 miles east of Melbourne and south of the Yarra Valley. The Dandenong Ranges is an area dense with wildlife. Colourful birds, tall fern trees, Mountain Ashes, beautiful gardens, lakes and flowers create a breathtakingly vivid backdrop of oranges, greens, blues, reds and yellows.
Mildura is located in the north west of Victoria and is famed for its citrus cultivation and of course its wineries. In fact some of Australia's biggest and most well known wineries are based here because of the excellent conditions for grape cultivation..
The Grampians are located in the mid west of Victoria. The wild sandstone formations form the western extremity of the Great Dividing Range. Some of the peaks stretch to 1000 metres mirrored with 1000 different species of native plants. The landscape is painted in a fauna of beautiful colours when in bloom, and wildlife roam freely in their natural habitat. This is a truly beautiful area, where roads lead to picturesque lakes and inlets of immense beauty. Grampians wineries are also becoming established and there are over twenty to visit in this area and the Pyrenees region, further east.
The Margaret River region is located on a promontory about 280 Km (170 miles) south of Perth and is surrounded by the ocean on three sides. The Margaret River is rapidly gaining a well deserved reputation both in Australia and internationally and is most well known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc as well as a host of other varieties.
The Swann Valley is located just to the north of Perth which makes it especially convenient if you live or are staying in this beautiful city. The region is known for a wide range of wine varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Verdhelo and Chenin Blanc.
Look out for Western Australian wines, you should be pleased you did.
The Granite Belt is a relatively young and up and coming wine region close to the New South Wales - Queensland border near the towns of Tenterfield and Stanhope and within the area encompassed by The Darling Downs. There are over 30 wine producers including Jester Hill Wines, Felsberg Winery, Ballandean Estate, Whiskey Gully Wines.
George Town is near the award winning 'Pipers River' Wine region. The cool temperate climate found in this region of Tasmania is ideal for grape cultivation which has resulted in a thriving wine industry.
The largest contributor to Australian wine production by far. There are many good wine producing regions including The Adelaide Hills, The Barossa Valley, The Clare Valley, The Coonawarra / Lime Stone Coast and McLaren Vale.
Most well known and largest wine growing region in NSW is The Hunter Valley. Wineries and vineyards are found throughout the state including at Orange, Mudgee, Griffith and Shoalhaven. Wine is also produced near Canberra in The A.C.T
Victoria has an abundance of wine growing regions with many 'house hold' names. These include Port Phillip-Yarra Valley region, The Pyrenees-Grampians region, Rutherglen, The Bendigo-Heathcote area, Gippsland, Mildura.
Western Australia is a relatively small scale producer but it is renown for its quality, top-end wines. Wine producing areas include Margaret River, Pemberton, Perth Hills and The Swan Valley.
Queensland does produce wine at several areas including The Granite Belt in the south east of the state.
Tasmania wine production is scattered throughout the island. Well known areas include The Tamar Valley, Derwent Valley, East Coast and Pipers River.
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