Five of Australia's top wine regions

Anyone planning an adventure down under should include a trip to wine country. Yes, I know Australia is known for the Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, the outback, and unique animals like kangaroos and platypus. Wine enthusiasts will also want to explore Australian wine country. During our recent Spaswinefood Australian road trip we visited the following five wine regions (two near Melbourne, two near Adelaide, and one not far from Perth):

Yarra Valley La Boheme Rosé, Sunset Bar & Grill, Broome © Spaswinefood

1. Yarra Valley

Shortly after landing in Melbourne we were off to the Yarra Valley. Within less than an hour's drive from Melbourne you are in Yarra Valley wine country, the oldest wine region in Australia.  Yarra Valley, home to over 80 wine cellars (tasting rooms), is well known for its cool climate wines. One of our stops included Yering Station, the oldest winery in Australia, which takes its name from the aboriginal name for the area. The winery was founded in 1838 when the Scottish brothers Ryrie settled in the Yarra Valley. In fact they planted Victoria’s first vineyard. In 1889 Yering Station wines won the Grand Prix at the Universal exhibition in Paris. This was the first time the prize was awarded to a southern hemisphere winery. While the winery changed hands several times during the 20^th century today it remains a family owned winery.

Yering Station, Yarra Valley © Spaswinefood

2. Mornington Peninsula

Mornington Peninsula is located within an hour’s drive of Melbourne. The rolling hills, winding country roads and bay side views offers the perfect setting to create your own wine and food experience. This picturesque wine region has become well known for its maritime influenced Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In the 1970’s a few visionary winemakers started growing Chardonnay and Pinot. By 1990’s the region was recognized as one of the world's exciting new wine regions. Since 2003 the region has held the Mornington Peninsula International Pinot Noir Celebration biennially. The region not only produces outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnays but also Pinot Grigio/Gris, Shiraz and other wines, which reflect the unique terroirs and microclimates of the Mornington Peninsula.

Mornington Peninsula Vineyard © Spaswinefood


You can taste wines at more than 50 cellar doors (tasting rooms). The Mornington Peninsula has not only established a reputation for its wines but also you will find amazing culinary options, from casual cafés to fine dining.

Mornington Peninsula © Spaswinefood

3. Barossa Valley

It was so easy to fall in love with the Barossa Valley Wine Region, South Australia. As we traveled throughout the region’s towns, villages and hamlets we grew to love it more. This region is not only home to over 80 cellar doors and 150 wineries but also it offers so many culinary delights, ranging from farmers markets to fine dining. Similarly, you will find accommodations for every budget from student hostels and caravan parks to romantic country cottages, boutique hotels and more.

Barossa Valley © Spaswinefood

The area rivals any top wine region in the world. It is easily accessible by car, bus and train from Adelaide. Adelaide is served by domestic and international flights. Barossa Valley also makes a perfect base for exploring the nearby wine regions: Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley and Murray River.

4. Clare Valley

Southern Australia’s Clare Valley, an important part of the amazing happenings in the Australian wine world, is known for its stunning scenery, historic townships and of course its wines. The first grapes were planted in the valley in 1851. You will find over 40 cellar doors between Auburn and Clare, a distance of 40 kilometers. This region is known for its dry Riesling wines. However, Shiraz is the most widely planted grape variety, followed by Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon. Other white grape varieties include Chardonnay, Semillon, and Pinot Grigio; with other significant red grape varieties including Merlot, Grenache, Mourvedre, Tempranillo and Malbec.

Clare Valley © Spaswinefood

Time in the valley will not only give you a sense of its long wine history but also exciting new developments. It is just 90 minutes drive from Adelaide to the Clare Valley where visitors will find charming towns to explore. Saveur referenced a trip to the Clare Valley.


5. Margaret River

This best-known wine region in Western Australia is located 275 km drive south of Perth. While it only produces 3% of Australia’s wine it produces 20% of Australia’s premium wines. This fact alone makes Margaret River a very special wine-growing region.  It is a compact region, only 110 km from Busseltown at the north end to Augusta at the south end.

Leeuwin Estate, Prelude Vineyards Chardonnay, Margaret River 2013 © Spaswinefood

Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay, Margaret River 2012 © Spaswinefood

Since the first commercial vineyard, Vasse Felix was planted in 1967 the region has grown. It is now home to over 215 wine producers, with over 95-cellar doors, which range from amazing architectural designs to rustic sheds. Common white grape varieties include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon whereas the most common red grape varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz.

Vasse Felix, Margaret River © Spaswinefood

These five regions were exciting to explore. Australia has many exciting wine regions to explore. I can see why Saveur described Australia as the 2015 wine destination. I invite you to join me in my travels in Australia and elsewhere at Spaswinefood. 

Sharon

June 2015
Melbourne, Australia

© Spaswinefood

Red Kangaroos, Alice Springs © Spaswinefood

Mother Kangaroo & Joey, Northern Territory © Spaswinefood

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