Regions
A trip to the Adelaide Hills, and its two sub-regions of Lenswood and Piccadilly Valley, can leave a visitor a little dizzy. Twisting and turning, rising and falling, the roads offer cameo vistas with bewildering frequency.
There’s a lot more to the world of the Barossa than it first seems. Turning off the highway, lines of ancient date palms stand as sentinels to guard the road to Seppeltsfield.
Driving through the rolling hills of Bendigo is very enjoyable - this area has a long history and lots of stories to share. At the 1873 Vienna Exhibition, wine judges were heard exclaiming, "no Colonial wine can be that good!"
Surrounding the meeting place of Australia's political think tanks, an increasing number of vineyards are popping up in the Canberra district. Makers in the area have been producing wine for 160 years.
Cental Otago is the most Southern wine region in the world and rests at the base of ancient glacial valleys. Renowned for producing exceptional cold climate pinot noir.
James Halliday writes; "The Clare Valley occupies the same special place in my heart as does Tuscany: if I were to live elsewhere in Australia, I would wish it to be in the Clare; elsewhere in the world, Tuscany. They share the same softness..."
The words Coonawarra and Cabernet go hand in hand.
First planted to vines in 1890, the Coonawarra district and its magical tract of terra rossa soil has given birth to some of the great names of Australian wine.
The high country of Eden Valley has a long history of viticulture, equalling that of the neighbouring Barossa Valley with the first planting at Pewsey Vale vineyard in 1842 by Joseph Gilbert.
As kids, our dad would tell us the grumpy old Grampians lived in the hills around Great Western. Not exactly true, I eventually learned that the region produces my dad's favourite wine - Grampains style shiraz.
The Granite Belt is located along the Northern end of the Great Dividing Range. Winemaking towns in the area include Stanthorpe, Ballandean and Servenlea. Sandy soils and a very cool climate help produce attractive, flinty white wines.
Home to over 70 vineyards, most of which handcraft their wines and are family-owned, Hawke's Bay is New Zealand's oldest wine region. Famous wineries include Craggy Range and Trinity Hill.
The Hunter Valley, about three hours drive north of Sydney, has traditionally been known for its great Semillons, although it played a dominant hand in establishing the popularity of Australian Chardonnay.
In North East Victoria, the King Valley presides over some fantastic Mediterranean varieties including barbera, nebbiolo and sangiovese.
Margaret River is a region that makes wine lovers smile all over the world. Despite only producing 3% of Australian wine output each year, the value of its wines commands over 20% of the total market.
"It is an ideal spot, and the ideal liquid inspiration, to try to figure out a way to live near this tiny piece of paradise between the voluptuous hills of wine and the aquamarine sea." "The Wine Roads of Australia" by Susan Gough Henly.
The Mornington Peninsula has two great geographic assets. Being surrounded on three sides by water, it has a maritime climate and it is close to Melbourne’s moneyed class, enabling boutique wineries to thrive.
Standing on the small hill behind the Montrose Winery it can readily be understood why the original Aboriginal inhabitants named this New South Wales region Mudgee, meaning Nest in the Hills.
Wines listed under 'multi' have been produced from a blend of grapes from more than one region. Australia is a leading producer of multi-region wine blends, particularly shiraz viognier.
Nelson has a growing reputation for making top notch aromatic white wines including riesling, pinot gris and gewürztraminer. This region has quite a small volume of wine production each year, but it has become a favourite among wine lovers.
Located 335kms from Perth, Pemberton is a region to watch in the next decade. Still an emerging wine region, the weather is mild and the views are spectacular - the area has the third tallest hardwood trees in the world.
Rutherglen, established in the gold rush era of the 1850s, is the unchallenged capital of fortified wines in Australia, with muscats and tokays internationally recognised.
Scotland launched its first commercially produced wine in 2010 crafted by Chef Pete Gottgens at the Ardeonaig Hotel, on the banks of Loch Tay.
A number of elite vineyards in the Strathbogie Ranges are planted 600m above sea level, providing a chilling environment for gnarly old white grape vines to slowly develop flavour.
One of Australia's coldest and most picturesque winemaking regions, Tumbarumba's famous alpine climate is the key ingredient to producing top shelf sparkling wines with excellent apple and citrus flavours.
No more than 40 minutes drive North of Christchurch in New Zealand's chilly South Island, Waipara Valley has been recognised as the fastest growing wine region in the country. The terroir is unique but broad.
Victoria's oldest wine producing region, the Yarra Valley now houses over 80 wineries which produce super premium wine, including some of the country's most awarded pinot noir styles.
Purple Palate
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