Best Wine Destinations in Australia
If you are a true wine connoisseur, there’s no way you haven’t been to Australia yet. All kinds of wines are produced, from small boutique wines to world-famous premier wines in Australian wineries. We have provided a list of the top Australian wineries including Yarra Valley, Barossa Valley, Hunter Valley and Margaret River that are must visit.
1. Hunter Valley, NSW
Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine region. This valley has been producing wines since 1830; there are about 135 cellar door wineries here. This is a very fertile region, with the right combination of minerals in the earth for the production of wine varieties unique to this region. Hunter Valley produces excellent signature Shiraz, semillion, and cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay wines.
2. Yarra Valley, Victoria
Yarra Valley is only an hour from Melbourne, and produces the finest cool climate wines. There are close to 50 wineries in this area, which produce top quality Cabernet Sauvignons, Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. A wine connoisseur will do well to visit the Moet Chandon, – Domaine Chandon winery to taste their fabulous champagnes. Vineyard tours are available. There are fine restaurants in many wineries along with art galleries for the tourist’s entertainment.
3. Clare Valley, South Australia
Old wine making families produce wines in their sheds, in heritage buildings and in old farmhouses. In all, there are 40 cellar doors here, apart from smaller boutique wineries. A wine connoisseur would travel down the 25km Riesling trail to sample the fabulous Riesling wines produced here. This is the region you must visit if you have a thing for spectacular reds and outstanding whites.
4. McLaren Vale, South Australia
McLaren Vale produces some of the most remarkable wines in all of South Australia. Located less than an hour’s travel from Adelaide, McLaren Vale wineries produce cabernet sauvignons, chardonnays, grenached, sangioveses, and tempranillos apart from the traditional Shiraz. The region also produces some famous cheeses and high quality olives apart from other fresh farm produce.
5. Granite Belt, Queensland
The vineyards of Queensland are located in the cooler south western border region, where the climate is more suitable for the growth of grapes. Before the 1960’s, this region used to produce quality vegetables and fruit, and then moved to producing some of the smoothest wines in Australia. The Symphony Hills Shiraz from this region won the gold prize at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney one year.
6. Southern Tasmania
Southern Tasmania has it all – old world charm, vibrancy, great food and fabulous wines. Tasmania produces many food-friendly wines that are served in the nearby restaurants with white meats, red meats and seafood. The best time to visit Tasmania would be between December and January, in time for the annual Wine Festivals.
7. Margaret River, Western Australia
Margaret River is known worldwide for its top quality wines, apart from its gourmet food, surfing beaches and luxury hotels. Since the climate here is ideal for the production of premium wines, the Margaret River area makes chardonnays that can be kept for a long time, soft merlots, cabernets and semillions. The wine quality is outstanding, as are the cheeses, niche soft drinks, cheeses, jams, seafood, organic produce and chocolates. The annual wine festival is conducted in May.
8. Coonawarra, South Australia
The Coonawarra region is highly celebrated for its cabernet sauvignons, great red wines, seafood delicacies and quality beef. You can take a tour of wine cellar doors and visit wine farms to sample some of the best wines in the world. This area grows about 20% of South Australia’s wine growing region. The annual wine festival occurs in April.
9. Barossa Valley, South Australia
Most wine lovers who visit Australia make the time to take a trip to the Barossa Valley. The first grapes here were grown by the early German Lutherans who settled here in early 1850’s. Barossa Valley is now world-famous for its quality wines, especially its vintage wines. The unique mix of European and Australian influences in this region has influenced everything from the cuisine to the culture.
The Barossa Valley is an hour’s drive from Adelaide. With more than 60 cellar doors, a wine tasting tour to the Barossa valley will definitely take more than a day or two. Wine and food enthusiasts are recommended to take the Eden’s Valley’s “Butcher, Baker & Winemaker” trail, to experience food and wine as they were made and served in old Europe. This area boasts of many award winning chefs; be prepared for unique tastes that you will never find anywhere else.
Guest Post by Sarah:
Sarah is a contributing writer at adrenalin.com.au
