New South Wales & ACT Wine Regions

Hunter Valley

Hot climate/Elevation 75-250m
The Hunter Valley is the most important quality wine-producing region in NS W, even though it represents only eight per cent of the State’s production. It was established in the early 1800s and is a major tourist area.

Primary Varieties: Verdelho, Shiraz, Semillon and Chardonnay.

Major Wineries: Brokenwood, Lake’s Folly, Lindeman's Hunter Valley, McWilliams Mount Pleasant, Rosemount Estate Hunter Valley and Tyrrell’s. There is also a multitude of smaller boutique wineries with some exceptional offerings.

Mudgee

Warm climate/Elevation 500-600m
Mudgee, in the central west of NSW, is an up-and-coming Shiraz region. Located in the crater of an extinct volcano, this area has a viticultural history spanning almost 150 years. The first vines were planted in 1858 during the gold rush of that time.

Primary Varieties: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay.

Major Wineries: Oatley Wines, Frog Rock, Huntington Estate, Andrew Harris, Peter Van Gent.

Orange

Cool climate/Elevation 600-850m
Orange, located in the central west of NSW, came to prominence in 1851 with the first find of payable gold and has attracted significant capital investment in viticultural development over the last decade. This is a relatively new wine region and it is therefore difficult to pin down a regional style.

Primary Varieties: Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling

Major Wineries: Phillip Shaw, Bloodwood, Jarretts, Cumulus, Highland Heritage.

Riverina

Hot dry climate/Elevation 140m
The Riverina district was settled by Italian immigrants and returned soldiers who established large-scale market gardening and grape growing in an area supplied by the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Scheme. The Riverina is famous for inexpensive fortified and table wines and particularly De Bortoli’s Noble One, which has become an Australian classic.

Primary Varieties: Chardonnay, Semillon, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon.

Major Wineries: De Bortoli, Casella, Westend Estate , McWilliam's, Beelgara.

Canberra district & Hilltops

Cool climate/Elevation 300-800m
Wine growing is a relatively recent phenomenon, with the first vineyards planted in the late 1960s. As a generalisation the area is quite elevated with vineyards at between 300-800m. The climate is largely continental and although the heat summation index suggests a Cool climate, summers are often hot with prolonged sunshine hours. Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier epitomizes the sheer potential of this district.

Primary Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Riesling.

Major Wineries: Clonakilla, Helms, Lark Hill, Lake George, McWilliam's Barwang.