Discover Victoria's diverse wine regions
Wine regions in Victoria, from the peninsulas to the valleys, discover world-class prosecco, chardonnay, pinot noir, shiraz and fortifieds in Victoria.
- June 2018
Cool climate wines in the Yarra Valley
The Yarra Valley, just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne, is home to more than 160 wineries. Play petanque and sip rosé at Dominque Portet. Savour exceptional pinot noir and contemporary fare at Yering Station. Team fine food and wine with cutting-edge art at TarraWarra or wine and dine in multi-million dollar splendour at Levantine Hill.
If gin is more your thing, head to Four Pillars in Healesville. Just down the road, family-friendly pursuits include the Healesville Animal Sanctuary and Hedgend Maze.
Sip and surf on the Mornington Peninsula
Melbourne’s summer playground, the Mornington Peninsula delivers a box-ticking blend of premium chardonnay and pinot noir, top-rated restaurants, pampering and sports. Make your own sparkling wine at Foxeys Hangout, sip pinot noir over a sensational lunch at Ten Minutes by Tractor, wander among grapevines and sculptures at Montalto or book in for a gourmet stay at Polperro. Beyond the tasting counter, surf the back beaches, paddle in Port Phillip Bay, play golf at St Andrews or enjoy a soak at the Peninsula Hot Springs.
Beaches and seafood on the Bellarine Peninsula
On the other side of Port Phillip Bay, the Bellarine offers a laidback coast-meets-country escape. Follow the Bellarine Taste Trail to Scotchmans Hill, Terindah Estate and Jack Rabbit, sampling the region’s cool-climate shiraz, pinot noir and chardonnay. From the Peninsula’s abundant farms and waterways, try olive oils, artisan cheese, pick-your-own berries and Portarlington mussels. Stroll to the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse, catch a wave at Bells Beach, or snorkel in the calm waters of the bay.
Live la dolce vita in the King Valley
Enjoy a gourmet getaway with an Italian accent in the King Valley, three hours north of Melbourne. At the new Chrismont cellar door, lunch on antipasto, pasta and a bottle of pinot grigio while admiring the breathtaking views. Visit Dal Zotto in the charming town of Cheshunt for relaxed trattoria dining, delicious prosecco and a game of bocce. Or, head to nearby Pizzini for nebbiolo and sangiovese, and a cooking class with Katrina Pizzini. Beyond the wine trails, hiking, horse riding and mountain biking await.
Big reds in Heathcote
Full-bodied shiraz is the mainstay in the gold rush town of Heathcote, an hour and a half north of Melbourne. Cellar-worthy examples can be found at Jasper Hill and Sanguine Estate. To soak up the clean country air, cycle the 50km O’Keefe Rail Trail from Heathcote to Bendigo.
Fireside fortifieds in Rutherglen
For lovers of Australian fortifieds, a visit to Rutherglen is a must. Luscious topaque, muscat, muscadelle and tawny are the stars and outstanding examples are available at Stanton & Killeen, All Saints Estate, Campbells, Chambers Rosewood and Rutherglen Estate. The best way to experience them all, with a side order of regional cuisine, is at the Taste of Rutherglen Festival from 11-12 March.
World-class wines in the West
A rugged farming region in the state’s west, the Great Western is home to some of the country’s most refined wines. Best’s Great Western produced the 2017 James Halliday Wine of the Year, the Thomson Family Shiraz. Visit the history-laden cellar door, housed in an old tin cottage, to learn more about this family winery and its acclaimed grape vines, believed to be some of the oldest in the world. At historic Seppelt, discover The Drives, 3km of cellars that lie under the winery built in 1868 for the maturation of sparkling wine. Mount Langi Ghiran is another must, thanks to its stellar shiraz and contemporary winery. Bed down at the Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld, home to a cellar door and tasting experience, plus an esteemed restaurant.
Macedon Ranges
This mountainous region is famed for producing cool-climate wine and bone-chilling legends (it’s the setting for Joan Lindsay’s Picnic at Hanging Rock). After a day spent tasting pinot noir at Curly Flat, riesling at Granite Hills and sparkling wine at Hanging Rock Winery, take your pick of cute country towns lined with cafés and galleries, including Kyneton, Woodend, Lancefield and Gisborne.
Mildura
On the edge of the Murray River, Mildura is one of the nation’s food bowls, with an abundance of fresh fruit, nuts, fish and meat. Twenty per cent of Australia’s wine grapes also flourish in this Mediterranean climate.
Enjoy classics such as chardonnay, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon, but keep an eye out for emerging varieties such as tempranillo, sangiovese and nero d’Avola. Work your way around the region from the comfort of the Sunraysia Cellar Door, or board a paddleboat for a leisurely cruise down the river.