Victoria

Grampians, VIC

Warm climate/Elevation 240-350m

The Grampians is located in western Central Victoria and settled during the gold rush of the 1850s. Indeed Seppelt at Great Western was built at the end of the gold rush when scores of out-of-work prospectors excavated its extensive drives and cellars. The Grampians embraces the viticultural centres of Great Western and Ararat at elevations of 240 to 350m. The region, while essentially cool, experiences long sunshine hours and low rainfall. Supplementary irrigation is needed.

The climatic data suggests that Clare is essentially continental with hot summers and cool/cold winters. However, the vineyards are mostly located at higher elevations than the weather stations. For instance, Petaluma’s Hanlin Hill is at about 500m. During the growing season moderating cool breezes funnel up the Clare’s corrugation of hills and gullies from the south. The soils are red brown, chocolatey loams over shale allowing excellent drainage. Although snow is rare, the chill factor is something to behold. Some of the older vines are planted in the valley floor, originally to take advantage of the deep water holding capacity of the soils, as rainfall is relatively low. With the advantages of supplementary irrigation, many of the best vineyard sites are located on higher elevations or towards the south of the valley. Polish Hill and Watervale are important sub-regions.


Andrew Caillard MW

Pyrenees, VIC

Warm climate/Elevation 350-450m

The Pyrenees is located in western Central Victoria and was settled during the gold rush of the 1850s. The Australian Pyrenees, at the most southerly part of the Great Dividing Range, are located about 70km northwest of the Grampians. Many of the vineyards are planted at an altitude of around 350 to 400m on quartz and decomposed slatey soils over friable clay with easterly aspect. Rainfall is generally quite low necessitating drip irrigation. Late afternoon southerly breezes moderate temperatures during the growing season. This region is particularly suited to Shiraz and, to a lesser extent, Cabernet Sauvignon. Some excellent Chardonnays are also being produced.



Andrew Caillard MW

Heathcote, VIC

Warm climate/Elevation 130-300m

The Heathcote wine region is located in Central Victoria about 100km north of Melbourne and 50km west of the Goulburn Valley. This is classic rolling Australian countryside punctuated by eucalypts and rounded hills. The best vineyards are located on the Heathcote red snake – a strip of Cambrian-derived soils of friable red brown gravelly loams that run in a thin north-south non-continuous direction. The region is warm with strong continentality, but enjoys an even temperature range during ripening. Vineyards are elevated at about 300m and rainfall is limited. The best vineyard sites are probably yet to be discovered, although its wines – particularly Shiraz – have already captured the imagination of a whole generation of wine drinkers.


Andrew Caillard MW

Macedon Ranges, VIC

Cool Climate/Elevation 500-690m

The first vines were planted in the Macedon region (also known as the Macedon Ranges) by Tom Lazar at Virgin Hills above Kyneton. The area was also pioneered by Knight’s Granite Hills and Cope-Williams. The Macedon region, an hour’s drive north east of Melbourne, is regarded as one of the coolest mainland wine regions, so cool that viticulture was considered a risky venture. By the early 1980s a number of enthusiasts had already debunked the theory and planted vineyards, mostly to the early ripening varieties Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This is a region that is, for Australia, at relatively high elevation. Mount Macedon is 1000 metres high. The region is largely of volcanic origin with skeletal soils ranging from grey granitic sandy loams to weathered basalt clay. The topography is undulating, sometimes steep, with the best sites in the lee of the prevailing winds. Most of the vineyards are elevated to around 500 metres with frost risks fairly high in early spring and late autumn. Elevated at 690 metres Mount Macedon is the highest vineyard. In some colder sites vignerons use overhead sprinklers. Rainfall is around 890mm per year. Ripening is the major issue. Some early plantings of Cabernet have been grafted over to Pinot Noir.

The region has become noted for its Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and sparkling wines. Bindi, Hanging Rock and Virgin Hills are the most prominent secondary market wines although Cope-Williams, Cleveland and Rochford are also well regarded.



Andrew Caillard MW

Sunbury, VIC

Cool climate/Elevation 35m

Sunbury is a cool region of gently undulating plains located close to greater Melbourne’s north-west boundary. It leans towards continentality consequently frost risk is greater. Most vineyards are planted on the alluvial river flats, the soil essentially sand over river stones. This area was first planted in 1863, although the local industry disappeared in the late 1920s to later reappear in the 1970s. The vineyards are mostly vertically shoot positioned to increase exposure to sunlight. The growing season is relatively cool and dry compared to the Yarra Valley. Vintage takes place around mid-April/early May.

 

Andrew Caillard MW

Geelong, VIC

Cool maritime climate/Elevation 10-100m

Geelong is located about 80km southwest of Melbourne and was initially established by Swiss immigrants in 1842. It was one of Victoria’s pioneering wine districts and enjoyed considerable success during the 1860s and 1870s. The chill factor over winter is bone crunching. In spring, blustery cool winds are quite prevalent and can affect flowering and fruit set. Soils are diverse, mostly volcanic over limestone with some lesser quality black soils. Rainfall is moderate and even throughout the calendar year. Blustery weather during spring can affect ripening. By the late 1870s, phylloxera was discovered. Vignerons were told to uproot their vines by the Legislative Assembly bringing the wine industry to a virtual halt. The area was re-established in the late 1960s. It is Bannockburn Vineyards, however, that put this region on the quality map in the mid 1980s.

As a wine region Geelong is disparate with too few standout wines to define its style. The best wines seem to be made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Shiraz.

Andrew Caillard MW

Mornington Peninsula, VICs

Cool maritime climate/Elevation 1-200m

Mornington Peninsula is located to Melbourne’s south. The region is virtually frost-free, but is susceptible to high winds. Rainfall is moderate, even through winter and the growing season. Most of the vineyards are located between just above sea level and 200 metres. Soils range from weathered volcanic soils to sandy loams and friable well-drained clays. The Bordeaux varieties do better at altitudes below 100m, unless in particularly warm and protected sites. Vintages can be variable but, in good years, Mornington can make some of the most sublime Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Gris also show potential.

Andrew Caillard MW

Yarra Valley, VIC

Cool climate/Elevation 50-400m

The Ryrie brothers, who explored a way through the Snowy Mountains to the Yarra Valley, planted grapes in 1838 only three years after the foundation of Melbourne by John Batman. A wine industry - developed by Swiss Settlers (particularly Hubert de Castella and Baron Guillaume de Pury) in the 1850s - thrived during the gold rush era and hey-day of the 19th century. The Yarra Valley wine industry died in the early 1920s, but was kick started again in the 1970s. The region is probably Australia’s best-known cool-climate area, yet it is really a patchwork of meso-climates. The more exposed sites are subject to severe spring frosts and winds.

The area experiences a relatively high rainfall pattern and is known for its temperature extremes during ripening. Site selection seems to be a major issue – the best appear to be located where vines were once planted – generally on sandy clay loams and gravels. Hence Yeringberg and Yarra Yering have enjoyed apparent consistency. Mount Mary, on similar soils, has achieved an almost mythical reputation. Some vineyards, however, are planted on more fertile red volcanic soils and just don’t appear to show the same degree of success. The topography of the Yarra Valley creates an incredible set of variables. Vineyards are planted on elevations of 50 to 400m on varying aspects and management programmes.

The Yarra Valley is well known for its Cabernet Blends, but this is based on the performance of just a few producers. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay can be quite exquisite, while Shiraz is variable. Sparkling wine production has become extremely important. The Yarra Valley produces some of Australia’s best.

Andrew Caillard MW

Goulburn Valley & Nagambie Lakes, VIC

Warm climate/Elevation 130-300m

The Goulburn wine region is located in Central Victoria about 100km north of Melbourne and 50km east of Heathcote. The Central Goulburn Valley, which centres on the towns of Seymour and Nagambie, has a warm climate with strong continentality. The lazy Goulburn River dissects the region and has washed the red and brown sandy clay loams with alluvial sands. Most of the vineyards are located on old river flats close to the river. Temperatures fluctuate enormously during the growing season creating a stressful environment for vines. Rainfall is low, although the region has experienced the occasional vintage washout. The most suited variety is Shiraz as typified by Mitchelton and Tahbilk.

Andrew Caillard MW

Rutherglen, VIC

Warm climate/Elevation 160m

Rutherglen in north-east Victoria - known for its fortified wines, particularly its Muscats and Tokays – has produced a distinctive Australian style. The region was first discovered in 1836. George Frederick Morris established his vineyard in 1859. During the late 1880s, Rutherglen enjoyed a substantial export market to the UK, but experienced harder economic conditions during the 20th century. It is the sheer quality of the wine that has kept the region going. The climate here is warm to hot, with a high degree of continentality and low relative humidity. The soils range from gravels to red and sandy alluvial loams. It is generally considered that the best vineyards are located on red loamy soils. Most of the vineyards, at around 160m, are on gentle slopes and close to the Murray River.

Andrew Caillard MW

Beechworth, VIC

Cold climate/Elevation 400-500m

Beechworth has attracted considerable interest in recent years, generated by the enthusiasm for the reclusive Giaconda wines. The vineyards, taking into account Beechworth’s high level of sunshine hours, are generally planted at altitudes of around 400m. The region is cool with high continentality so site selection is vitally important. The best sites are located away from higher altitude, cold-air drainage channels, with the risk of frost high in both spring and autumn. The soils are granitic loams over decomposed gravels and clays. While north or north-easterly slopes may generally be favoured, Giaconda’s vines are planted on protected south-facing slopes.

Andrew Caillard MW

Gippsland, VIC

Cool climate/Elevation 30-100m

Gippsland is named after a former Governor of Victoria and comprises the south-eastern underbelly of Victoria extending from Phillip Island in the south to the southern border of New South Wales to its northeast. Topographically, it is comprised of coastal plains and the predominantly south-facing slopes of the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. The area is similar in size to Belgium with varying meso-climates and soil compositions. The coastal regions comprise silty and chocolatey loams over sedimentary and volcanic derived rock. The foothills – largely undeveloped – are made up of sedimentary and weathered granitic and volcanic soils.

South Gippsland, the coolest and wettest sub-region, is located about 100km east of Melbourne. Its climate is similar to the Yarra Valley, although there is a greater maritime influence. The best sites are in more elevated and protected positions planted on deep silty loams with a high iron content and northeasterly aspects. This is an emerging region with a reputation largely forged by Phillip Jones of Bass Phillip. Here is an example where meso-climate is modified by the human factor. His vineyards are close-spaced and each vine is given inordinate attention. East Gippsland, which lies between two prevailing weather patterns, can experience periods of drought and, at times, heavy rainfall during ripening. This sub-region shows some promise for its Cabernet Sauvignon driven wines.

Andrew Caillard MW