Australia

In 1788 Captain Arthur Phillip arrived at Sydney Cove and he bought along Australia's first grape vines from Brazil and the Cape of Good Hope. Australian wine today express the enormous diversity of the people who craft them and the unique regional characteristics they express.

History

New South Wales was the site of Australia's first vineyard and winery, established in the early 1800s.
South Australia is home to some of the worlds' oldest vines, dating back to the 1850s.
More than 60 designated wine regions produce in excess of 100 different grape varieties.
Queensland has recently experienced a winemaking renaissance.
Victoria is renowned for its diversity of climates and regions.
Tasmania produces some of the world's most exciting cool climate wines.
Western Australia is famous for great wines from stunning locations.
Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are the top 3 varieties crushed.
Australia has world-renowned wine research and educational facilities.
Influenced by European and Asian immigrants, Australia's food and wine culture encourages innovation and excellence.

Barossa Valley

With a rich winemaking and grape growing heritage dating back to 1842, and a profound and unique Silesian (German) influence, the Barossa Valley is arguably Australia's most famous wine region. The region is a unique and precious resource, home to some of the oldest vines in the world. In some families, there have been six generations of grape growers and winemakers. This tradition extends to a vibrant and renowned community of artisan food producers. Many of these families have been perfecting their craft for as long as the grape growers and winemakers. The climate is ideal for full bodied red wines, fortified wines and robust white wines. The two soil types are relatively low in fertility. The Barossa region produces a great variety of wine, with the main styles being Riesling, Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvedre and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Clare Valley

Situated in the northern Mt Lofty Ranges, about 2 hours north of Adelaide, South Australia's Clare Valley was settled in the late 1830s, with the first vineyards planted and wines produced in the early 1840s. The same features that make the Clare Valley inherently beautiful are also the foundation of Clare's famed vineyards. The climate features a warm to hot summer, but cooling afternoon breezes play a major role in slowing down the ripening process. Some of Australia's finest Riesling is grown in the Clare Valley, and the region also produces many other wine styles, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

McLaren Vale

The unique marriage of a wine region and beach lifestyle has created a melting pot for all things culinary, vinous and artistic. McLaren Vale has a rich history and is widely recognised as one of Australia's greenest wine regions because of its ongoing water use efficiency strategies and commitment to environmental sustainability. There is substantial climatic variation throughout McLaren Vale, due to varying exposure to the cooling influence of the nearby ocean. Site selection and the matching of site to variety are all-important; Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Chardonnay all do very well in the appropriate location.

Coonawarra

The region is only 100 kilometres inland, and is exposed to a maritime climate, with dry and moderately cool summers. The climate is quite unique and persistent cloud cover generally moderates the ripening period temperatures. The terra rossa of Coonawarra is Australia's most famous soil, renowned for its affinity with Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Coonawarra is the perfect place to indulge the senses by experiencing the unique range of award-winning red and white wines - all complemented by the delicious local produce and fine foods served at the cafes, hotels and restaurants throughout Penola and Coonawarra. The region's cellar doors capture the area's history, culture and traditions. The main wine styles produced in Coonawarra include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Chardonnay and Riesling.

Hunter Valley

The Hunter Valley is Australia's oldest producing wine region, with vines first planted in the 1820's. It is Australia's most visited wine region and lies approximately two hours' drive north of Sydney.

Hunter Valley wines are light & elegant in style, making them a perfect partner to food; they are lower in alcohol than those of many other regions.

The Hunter Valley is not only Australia's most famous Semillon region it is also Australia's most historic family wine region. When you taste the Hunter Valley you taste the work of more than 100 husbands and wives, mums and dads (and children) who are passionate about making the best wines in the country. Tasting the Hunter Valley is all about peeling back layers of discovery – learning that Hunter Valley Semillon is a unique Australian white wine which keeps getting better with age, understanding that the region's tough growing conditions actually produce some of Australia's most famous Shiraz and that the region's young winemakers are at the forefront of innovative new varieties and styles such as Tempranillo.

Margaret River

Located approximately three hours' drive south of Perth, the region was 'discovered' in the early 1970s after various pieces of research from Professor Harold Olmo and Dr John Gladstones identified it as a potentially great grape growing region. The Margaret River area includes the rolling hills of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, extending 90 kilometres north-south between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin, and is bounded to the west by the Indian Ocean. Highly regarded as a producer of powerful yet elegant Cabernet Sauvignon, the region has also forged a great reputation for its white wines notably Chardonnay and Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends. The region is a vibrant and popular wine destination for visitors from around the world.