Australia with it’s quirky Australian snacks and wordclass wine is a top destination for wine-lovers, particularly in the state of Victoria. Victoria is home to over 850 wineries, most of which happily open their doors to visitors. If you’re visiting Melbourne for any period of time, you don’t have to travel too far to appreciate some of the world’s most distinctive wine. The following are a few regions which can easily be explored on a day trip, although after visiting a few wineries you will probably wish to stay overnight and sleep it off!
Yarra Valley
One of the top wine-producing regions within Australia, Yarra Valley is a must for wine lovers. There are over 70 wineries located near picturesque towns like Healesville and Marysville. Local wine producers take advantage of the Yarra Valley’s cool climate and diverse soil spread to craft award-winning vintages. Many wineries hire seasonal workers, so you may be tempted to find a rental property with Homesales.com.au and stay on to learn the secrets of the wine industry for a few months.
Geelong
The Geelong region was the largest and most important grape-growing area of Victoria throughout the 1800’s, before it was overshadowed by Yarra Valley. However, this historic province has been garnering more attention over the past couple of decades, with local producers using the rich soil and cool climate to produce top blends such as Shiraz and Chardonnay. Wine from the Geelong region is comparable to European regions such as France’s Bordeaux, making it well worth a taste.
Sunbury
If you only have an afternoon to spare on a whirlwind tour of Melbourne, you don’t have to travel too far to get to the Sunbury wine region. This historic area has been producing award-winning red wines since the 1850’s, and continues to do so today. Popular cellar doors to explore include Craiglee and Goona Warra, known for their bold Shiraz blends.
Mornington Peninsula
There are over 50 boutique wineries located in the lush Mornington Peninsula area, which is particularly well known for its Pinot Noir. Newer varietals that can be experienced at local tastings include Pinot Grigio and Shiraz. There is a vast degree of diversity in this region, in terms of climate, soil structure, and land formations. This has created micro-climates which are interesting to explore and see how they affect the local wine production. Villages like Main Ridge, Merricks, and Red Hill are all popular wine-tasting destinations.
Macedon Ranges
Only an hour’s drive outside of Melbourne, some of Australia’s most prestigious wineries are located in the Macedon Ranges. The area’s distinct wine flavours are produced with the assistance of volcanic soil and the misty, cool climate. In addition to other popular varietals like Shiraz or Pinot Noir, you’ll also find some of the country’s best sparkling wine to wet your whistle. The area’s sparkling wines are generally just known as “Macedon,” and most local wineries will have their own brand of Macedon to offer visitors.
Melbourne provides an ideal home base for further exploration into any of these interesting, diverse, and delectable wine producing regions. You can sign up for any number of organised day tours, or hire a car and take your time savouring the unique wines of Victoria.
