Regions
About Australian Wine Regions
In Australia, wine is a family affair. Family businesses dominate the industry and account for more than 75% of the total crush. When your family’s reputation is at stake, you know you are going to produce the finest wine possible. Wine drinkers seem to agree. It is estimated that 30 million glasses of Aussie wine are consumed every day around the world.
Australia is a dynamic wine-producing country. There are an estimated 2,500 wineries and 6,300 grape growers employing about 165,000 full and part-time employees across 65 wine growing regions.
It’s varying geography, topography, soils, and climate, allow a wide diversity in the variety of grapes grown — currently more than 100! Two varieties – chardonnay and shiraz –are grown in all regions.
Western Australia is the largest state spanning the western third of the continent. Some winemaking regions are close to Perth, the state capital, but most are further south.
Regions include Blackwood Valley, Geographe, Great Southern, Peel, Pemberton, Manjimup, Margaret River, and Swan District.
Western Australia is the largest state spanning the western third of the continent. Some winemaking regions are close to Perth, the state capital, but most are further south.
Regions include Blackwood Valley, Geographe, Great Southern, Peel, Pemberton, Manjimup, Margaret River, and Swan District.
Western Australia is the largest state spanning the western third of the continent. Some winemaking regions are close to Perth, the state capital, but most are further south.
Regions include Blackwood Valley, Geographe, Great Southern, Peel, Pemberton, Manjimup, Margaret River, and Swan District.
The Northern Territory is a federal territory (as opposed to a state) of Australia. The third largest of the country’s administrative areas, it is sparsely populated with semi-desert scrubland, as well as tropical wetlands.
The Northern Territory GI (Geographical Indication) was created in 1994, to ensure that every Australian state and territory has its own wine GI. Despite the climatic obstacles, there have been a small number of vineyards here. However, as of 2018, there do not seem to be any active producers of grape wines.
The Northern Territory is a federal territory (as opposed to a state) of Australia. The third largest of the country’s administrative areas, it is sparsely populated with semi-desert scrubland, as well as tropical wetlands.
The Northern Territory GI (Geographical Indication) was created in 1994, to ensure that every Australian state and territory has its own wine GI. Despite the climatic obstacles, there have been a small number of vineyards here. However, as of 2018, there do not seem to be any active producers of grape wines.
The Northern Territory is a federal territory (as opposed to a state) of Australia. The third largest of the country’s administrative areas, it is sparsely populated with semi-desert scrubland, as well as tropical wetlands.
The Northern Territory GI (Geographical Indication) was created in 1994, to ensure that every Australian state and territory has its own wine GI. Despite the climatic obstacles, there have been a small number of vineyards here. However, as of 2018, there do not seem to be any active producers of grape wines.
Grapes were first planted in cooler parts of the Sunshine State more than 100 years ago, but Queensland was not known as a wine grape growing area until relatively recently. Despite its hot, tropical climate, perceptive grape growers and winemakers noted that in the higher altitudes there were cooler temperatures and rich volcanic soils. The significant cooling at higher elevations allows the production of stunning Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chardonnay and Viognier wines.
Grapes were first planted in cooler parts of the Sunshine State more than 100 years ago, but Queensland was not known as a wine grape growing area until relatively recently. Despite its hot, tropical climate, perceptive grape growers and winemakers noted that in the higher altitudes there were cooler temperatures and rich volcanic soils. The significant cooling at higher elevations allows the production of stunning Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chardonnay and Viognier wines.
Grapes were first planted in cooler parts of the Sunshine State more than 100 years ago, but Queensland was not known as a wine grape growing area until relatively recently. Despite its hot, tropical climate, perceptive grape growers and winemakers noted that in the higher altitudes there were cooler temperatures and rich volcanic soils. The significant cooling at higher elevations allows the production of stunning Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chardonnay and Viognier wines.
The first vines in South Australia were planted in approximately 1845 in what is now metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia’s largest city. Largely because of climate and soils South Australia is ideally suited to the production of full-bodied wine making it the heart of Australia’s wine production since those first vines took root.
The first vines in South Australia were planted in approximately 1845 in what is now metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia’s largest city. Largely because of climate and soils South Australia is ideally suited to the production of full-bodied wine making it the heart of Australia’s wine production since those first vines took root.
The first vines in South Australia were planted in approximately 1845 in what is now metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia’s largest city. Largely because of climate and soils South Australia is ideally suited to the production of full-bodied wine making it the heart of Australia’s wine production since those first vines took root.
New South Wales (NSW) is Australia’s most populous state and its wine consumption far outpaces the region’s wine production. The Hunter Valley is the most well-known and oldest continuous region among NSW’s 16 wine regions. New England, which was declared an official wine region in January 2008 is NSW’s newest. In 1983, NSW had 76 wine producers, today it has around 490.
New South Wales (NSW) is Australia’s most populous state and its wine consumption far outpaces the region’s wine production. The Hunter Valley is the most well-known and oldest continuous region among NSW’s 16 wine regions. New England, which was declared an official wine region in January 2008 is NSW’s newest. In 1983, NSW had 76 wine producers, today it has around 490.
New South Wales (NSW) is Australia’s most populous state and its wine consumption far outpaces the region’s wine production. The Hunter Valley is the most well-known and oldest continuous region among NSW’s 16 wine regions. New England, which was declared an official wine region in January 2008 is NSW’s newest. In 1983, NSW had 76 wine producers, today it has around 490.
Tucked into the southeastern corner of the Australian mainland, the warm climate regions of Murray Darling and Swan Hill are situated along the Murray River in the northwest of the State. Further east, the region of Rutherglen is known for its wine styles such as Muscat. Victoria’s other wine regions include The Yarra Valley (featuring Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines) and the Alpine Valleys region, which produces rich, complex wines.
Tucked into the southeastern corner of the Australian mainland, the warm climate regions of Murray Darling and Swan Hill are situated along the Murray River in the northwest of the State. Further east, the region of Rutherglen is known for its wine styles such as Muscat. Victoria’s other wine regions include The Yarra Valley (featuring Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines) and the Alpine Valleys region, which produces rich, complex wines.
Tucked into the southeastern corner of the Australian mainland, the warm climate regions of Murray Darling and Swan Hill are situated along the Murray River in the northwest of the State. Further east, the region of Rutherglen is known for its wine styles such as Muscat. Victoria’s other wine regions include The Yarra Valley (featuring Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines) and the Alpine Valleys region, which produces rich, complex wines.
The island state of Tasmania makes up a single Wine Zone, under Australia’s classification system of Geographic Indicators. Unofficially however, it is sensible to recognise Northern and Southern Tasmania as separate wine regions.
Tasmani’s cool climate and long, sunny, dry autumns provide ideal growing conditions for developing naturally elegant, intensely flavored and aromatic wines.It has especially good conditions to grow Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
The island state of Tasmania makes up a single Wine Zone, under Australia’s classification system of Geographic Indicators. Unofficially however, it is sensible to recognise Northern and Southern Tasmania as separate wine regions.
Tasmani’s cool climate and long, sunny, dry autumns provide ideal growing conditions for developing naturally elegant, intensely flavored and aromatic wines.It has especially good conditions to grow Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
The island state of Tasmania makes up a single Wine Zone, under Australia’s classification system of Geographic Indicators. Unofficially however, it is sensible to recognise Northern and Southern Tasmania as separate wine regions.
Tasmani’s cool climate and long, sunny, dry autumns provide ideal growing conditions for developing naturally elegant, intensely flavored and aromatic wines.It has especially good conditions to grow Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
The country has 103 “defined geographic indications” or GI zones. Although wine is produced in every state, most activity takes place in the southern, cooler parts of the country – South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia.
As of 2019, Australia’s total vineyard area covered more than 360,000 acres of which Shiraz accounted for almost one-third. Chardonnay is the largest white variety with about 16% of the total area.
The total wine grape crush in 2019 was close to 1.75 million tons, of which South Australian regions accounted for approximately 860,000 tons (50%). From this, winemakers produced 1.2 billion liters of wine, of which reds accounted for nearly 60%.
There is no doubt that Australian wine has caught on.
Western Australia
Margaret River
The vibrant Margaret River region is bordered by ocean on three sides and is becoming one of the most popular destinations in Australia. Its climate is Mediterranean in terms of temperature and rainfall. Wines produced include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blends, and more.
Perth
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of 1,659,000.
Pemberton
Pemberton, in the heart of Western Australia’s beautiful southwest, is “karri country.” The tall, majestic trees abound, in forests and national parks. Pemberton also contains some of the state’s richest farmland.
Queensland
Granite Belt
The Granite Belt region is one of the highest wine regions in Australia, with vineyards at nearly 3,300 feet above sea level. Many of the wineries are small to medium in size and family-owned and managed. It is an ideal viticultural area with its cool winter, spring climate, and distinctive granitic soils.
South Burnett
The South Burnett region dates to 1993. The regional climate can be classed as sub-tropical. Its main wine styles include Verdelho, Chardonnay, Semillon, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.
south Australia
Barossa Valley
The Barossa Valley is at the heart of the Australian wine industry. Most of the country’s most famous wine companies are headquartered here. For more than 150 years, grape growing and winemaking have been the principal occupations of its residents. Some of the oldest Shiraz vineyards in the world are in the Barossa.
McLaren Vale
The McLaren Vale Wine Region is located just to the south of Adelaide on the stunning and geographically diverse Fleurieu Peninsula. The region is famous for the innovation of its’ grape growers and winemakers. The maritime climate lends itself to long growing seasons and intense color in the reds.
Adelaide Hills
This is a region of rapidly growing importance for the production of super-premium table and sparkling wines. The Adelaide Hills area is very beautiful, particularly in autumn, and is still a largely undiscovered treasure. Twisting and turning, rising and falling, the roads offer cameo vistas with bewildering frequency. But no one should venture into this region without a detailed road map, for it is impossible to navigate by simply using one’s sense of direction. The Adelaide Hills has two registered subregions, Lenswood and Piccadilly Valley.
Langhorne Creek
Langhorne Creek has a history of viticulture dating back to 1860 and is known for its flat river delta landscape and fertile soil. Irrigation is universally practiced by deliberately flooding the land in late winter. Newer vineyards also use conventional drip irrigation.