Category: General

Vineyards and Wine-Making Regions of South Australia

South Australia is home to a very diverse culture, art, sporting events, and many more. It is also known as the “Festival State” as it prides itself on being the host of many internationally-recognised events each year. But for a food and wine aficionado like myself, it is heaven on earth with its vineyards, wineries, and fine produce.

This historic heart of this country continent’s wine is the location of some of the most popular regions with the oldest and best-known wineries in Australia. Each of these regions features one-of-a-kind wines that come with unique tourism experiences, be it located along the majestic coastlines, the stunning hillsides, or charming country towns that everyone can truly marvel at.

If you want to experience some of these vineyard tours and taste some of their fine wines or are just curious to know what this is all about, let me share this little guide about South Australia’s wine haven based on my personal experience and a little bit of research along the way, as an Yakima-born American visiting this beautiful country.

South Australia’s Wine Industry – Brief History

The state’s history of the wine industry dates back 175 years ago, with the first vine being planted by European settlers around the onset of the 19^th century. It was actually the German settlers who were to be credited for establishing South Australia’s foremost wine destination – the Barossa Valley. They were the ones who introduced basically everything about vineyards and wineries, from grape varieties, planting techniques, and harvesting, to wine production.

From then on, the state has produced 18 wine regions to date and each of these has its own characteristics in terms of environment specifically for grape production. These include the soil, climate, and topography, and also the variety of grapes that each of these regions is known for.

Because of the allure of wines to aficionados, it gradually became part of South Australia’s tourism, as tourists started to flock in the quest for embarking into some sensory journey through wine tasting and food pairings. Gourmet food markets, food and wine festivals, and farm-to-table restaurants also started to appear left and right and have become big contributors to the state’s current reputation as a food and wine haven in Australia.

Top Wine Regions of South Australia

Adelaide Hills

This picturesque wine region of Adelaide Hills with rippled terrain and cool climate is just 20 minutes from Adelaide city proper on the east side. You can find in this region the oldest German settlement in Australia, which is the town of Hahndorf, and other historic towns that are influenced by Europeans.

Its hillside is packed with orchards and vineyards, where high-quality Pinot Noir and some classics in its type of climate, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and sparkling styles are found. However, you can also find some unique wines that are concocted with alternative varieties such as Shiraz.

Sally Greengate, an Adelaide-based business woman who provides commercial pressure cleaning in Adelaide and surrounds, says “I regularly visit the wineries and vineyards in the Adelaide Hills to pressure clean the sheds and storage facilities. I love to bring back a new varietal or blend that my husband and I have never tried before.”

Barossa Valley

Another renowned wine-producing region of South Australia, on the northeast side is the Barossa Valley, which borders Angaston, Nuriootpa, and Tanunda. It can be reached within less than one hour’s drive from Adelaide. Its array of high-profile wineries of more than 150 offer cellar-door tasting, apart from different tours that suit your idea of leisure activities.

There’s so much to explore in this part of SA that you can totally forget about using a map, as you can easily find 5-star accommodations, sumptuous foods, and of course, the star of Barossa Valley – its wines! Choose among its well-known varieties such as Chardonnay, Sémillon, Shiraz, Viognier, GSM blends, and elegant, dry Riesling.

Clare Valley

Perhaps one of the oldest wine regions in all of Australia is the Clare Valley, which lies in the mid-north of South Australia. It is an approximately one-hour drive from my trip in Barossa Valley, or around 142 kilometres north of Adelaide. It has scenic hiking trails, rolling green hills, and stone cottage cellar doors which make dining and wine-tasting a more enjoyable experience.

Compared to the other wine regions in SA, Clare Valley has a higher altitude which makes it have a moderately continental climate with cool nights even in summer. This allows grapes to ripen evenly and slowly, making more quality wines in the process. Its gems include world-class Riesling, and top-quality Cabernet Sauvignon, and Shiraz.

Coonawarra

This wine region is centred in what’s called the Limestone Coast zone of South Australia. Although getting to it from Adelaide takes about 4 hours, it will be all worth it as you’ll be welcomed by a one-of-a-kind country experience and an equally enthralling vineyards and wine history.

Coonawarra is also known as a red centre because of its rich red cigar-shaped seam of red earth or terra rossa, which is popular as being dusty and dry in summer and briskly crisp in winter. As for its most-prized wines, be ready to be swept off your feet with these selections: age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon and premium Shiraz, as well as Riesling, Merlot, and Chardonnay. 

McLaren Vale

38 kilometres south of the city centre of Adelaide which is about a 45-minute drive, is this dynamic wine region established in 1838 and now consists of charming villages, rolling hills, and of course great food and high-quality wines. It has a Mediterranean climate that is known to have four clear seasons in a year and rarely experiences extreme weather like drought or frost because it is near the sea.

What’s even nice about McLaren Vale is that it has become one of the most environmentally sustainable wine communities and also one of the most progressive at that, in all of Australia. Most abound here are bold red wines in different styles. Taste its Shiraz, Cabernet, and Grenache, as well as Mediterranean varieties like Sangiovese, Fiano, Tempranillo, and Vermentino.

Wineries and Vineyards in New South Wales, Australia

New South Wales is Australia’s most populous state and where the iconic structures of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge can be found. While it is where the most popular city in the country is located, it is also renowned for its national parks, as well as other coastal cities with wine regions that contribute to over 27% of the country’s supply. 

In fact, this state’s productions are some of the finest in Australia, and I can definitely say this for certain as an American who has tasted different varieties of wines coming from different countries, and having sampled some of the best from the “land down under” myself on a recent trip. To share further some of my little escapades to some of NSW’s best wine regions and their specialties, read on.

NSW’s Top Wine Regions

Hunter Valley

I always thought that grapes could only grow in places where the climate is cold, or at least colder than tropical countries. I couldn’t be any more wrong when I went to the Hunter Valley wine region as it was a bit hot over there, which surprised me as I was there for the vineyards and of course, the wine. It turned out that I wasn’t the only one who thought of it as somewhat foolish because over 200 years ago, nobody believed that this viticulture pioneer’s dream was even possible until they tried and it turned out to be very successful.

Now, Hunter Valley’s hilly landscape is threaded with grape vines all over, and even some of the vineyards from the 1800s are still in operation up to this day. As a result, you can currently knock at over 150 cellar doors to taste Hunter Valley’s best wines like Sémillon, Chardonnay, and Shiraz. Note that if you want the best Australian Cabernet, you’re better off heading to South Australia. Also, take this opportunity to check out some of its available private tours and learn the art of winemaking, or just hire an e-bike to wander around different vineyards.

Orange

The city of Orange in the Central Tablelands region of NSW is 254 kilometres away from Sydney or close to a 3.5-hour drive. The Orange wine region is a contiguous area 600 metres or 2,000 feet above sea level and sits within the Orange city itself, Cabonne Shire, and Blayney Shire.

Orange is known as an Australian Geographical Indication and was listed as an official entry in the Register of Protected Names on October 31, 1997. This means that “Orange wine” is not allowed to be used as a description of skin-contact white wines. The term should only be used if the fruit was actually sourced from that place.

The first recorded commercial planting of grapevines was recorded in 1980 and the industry has now grown into 80 vineyards to date and 30 cellar doors. The varied terroirs of this region produce top-quality cool-climate wines which include Chardonnay, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Gris. You might want to add this to your itinerary, especially when attending its annual Orange F.O.O.D. Week festival that happens in April or the Orange Wine Festival every October.

Shoalhaven Coast

This wine region is located on the southeastern coast of NSW and is bordered by Sydney, Canberra, and Wollongong. It is in fact around 200 kilometres away from Sydney or just over a two-hour drive. It got its name in 1797 when the British explorer George Bass, called it “Shoal Haven” due to how low the depth of the river mouth was. Tourist attractions and activities are abound here like horseback riding through the vineyards and art galleries. For food and wine connoisseurs and enthusiasts, top-class restaurant tours and meet-the-maker experiences are worth trying.

“One of my favourite things about living in Wollongong, is being able to visit so many friendly wine-makers across the Shoalhaven. I have learned so much from them, while enjoying the exceptional fruits of their labour.” said Trent Bourke, a Wollongong pressure washing specialist.

Shoalhaven Coast currently has 16 cellar doors that had the privilege of contributing to Australia’s wine production of 400,000 bottles or around 500 tonnes. The region is well-known for its French red wine Chambourcin, which is produced through crossbreeding. Other varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Semillon, and Shiraz.

Southern Highlands

Locally referred to as just “Highlands”, this wine region is 110 kilometres in southwest of Sydney or about a 90-minute drive. Another option would be to ride a train from Sydney to Bowral which can take about two hours of travel time. This region is a part of the Great Dividing Range, otherwise known as the East Australian Cordillera which is an expansive cluster of mountain ranges, rolling hills, and plateaus.

This wine region with undulating landscape, has vineyards sitting at as high as 700 metres above sea level. This is why it produces some of the finest wines in cool climates in all of Australia. Despite the relatively new wine industry, which dates back to the 1980s, it boasts itself of having 60 wineries and 17 cellar doors, compared to other wine regions that were established in the 1800s but have fewer of these. Its most prized wines are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Riesling.

Canberra District

This wine region is very unique in the sense that it is situated in two locations – the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales. However, the majority of the vineyards can be found in NSW. Canberra District has an extreme Continental climate which is typically warm and dry during the day and cold at night during summer.

The industry was traced from the 1970s, but the wine production had started even as early as the 1960s in the settlement near Yass town. Now, it has 140 vineyards, with more than 40 wineries. Activities include visiting cellar doors, staying overnight in accommodations within the vines, and meeting the winemakers. Its top wines are Riesling and Shiraz but several varietals include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Sémillon, among others.

History of Wine-Making in Australia

Australia is probably one of the most fascinating countries on the planet. First, the earth’s oldest continental crust of 4.4 billion years and cyanobacteria, the oldest fossil to have ever been found dated 3.5 billion years, are found here. Second, it is the 6^th largest country in the world in terms of land mass, yet, approximately 40% of it is downright uninhabitable due to being extremely arid. Third, the Australian Alps get a lot more snowfall than Switzerland which is known for its snow-related tourist attractions. And the list goes on.

Australia ranks high in terms of overall quality of life among all the nations worldwide and is rich with great tourist destinations, especially with its abundant flora and fauna, majestic beaches, the remarkable Great Barrier Reef, and grand structures and architecture like the Sydney Opera House. Despite all of these, it wasn’t on everyone’s top-of-the-list tourist destinations, being actually just the 40^th most visited country in the world.

However, with the booming industry of wine, with the country being considered one of the largest exporters of wine in the world and a major contributor to the economy, with over 100 grape varieties grown and produced across the 65 wine regions, it is bound to change the landscape of tourism in the land down under in the days to come.

When and Where It All Started

Winemaking in Australia was first documented in 1788 when a British Royal Navy officer named Arthur Phillip who was the Colony of New South Wales’ first governor brought the very first vines to Sydney. These cuttings came from Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, which he planted in the Sydney Botanical Gardens, or formerly known as Farm Cove.

By 1833, the viticulturist James Busby kickstarted the growth and production of wine in Australia when he brought different varieties of grape cuttings to the country from Spain and France. These were Shiraz or Syrah and Grenache.

The industry had expanded in the 1890s. This was brought about by more land areas being planted with grapevines, especially along the irrigated parts of Southern Australia. Some of these include Riverland in South Australia and Rutherglen in Victoria which were planted with Muscadelle, Grenache, Palomino, and Shiraz which was then known as Hermitage.

Transition From Fortified Wines to Table Wines

At first, wines that were sweet and fortified or the ones with added distilled spirit were produced. Typically, it was brandy that was used as an additive, but it could be anything that is considered a neutral spirit like those distilled from grapes, sugar, or grains. Since Australia only had a small population then, their only way to keep the industry afloat was to export their produce to Great Britain.

However, during those times, the Brits didn’t consume much table wine as they preferred the sherries from Spain and the sweet ports from Portugal. The Australian wine industry had to make do with the situation and the planting and production relied heavily on this level of demand until the 1950s.

Yields that used to be intended for artisanal products were eventually farmed to produce maximum yields, which in turn made the production of fortified wine highly mechanised and commercialised. Sad to say, this eventually led to the quality of the product being compromised. By the 1960s, the demand eventually had a full stop. As a result, fortified wine production plummeted from 85% of the total wine production, down to a measly 30% within a decade.

The country saw the focus finally shift to the typical table wines in the 1960s. From then on, the wine-making industry had become livelier as the production of different varieties of grapes and eventually, wines, intensified.

The heritage of the Orange wine region of New South Wales spans back to the 19^th century. However, it wasn’t until around the 1980s that things started to really work out for the better. From then on, it developed to having 60 wineries that produced world-class wines.

Fast Forward – 2000 to 2010

In the 2000s, despite the seeming obsolescence of fortified wine, the vessels that used to house the liquor had a surge in demand. This is because these cherry casks play a very vital role in the proper maturation of whisky. In some cases, the barrels are more valuable than the contents themselves.

Things began to look very promising when the exports of Australian wine reached their peak globally in 2007 at A$950 million.

By 2010, Australia finally conceded and stopped calling its fortified wine “sherry” which originally was the name of a Jerez, Spain’s wine variety. Instead, it was replaced by the name “apera” but it had failed miserably in having a recall among the older generations.

Perhaps, for old times’ sake and for keeping the history intact plus a relatively significant number of patrons, some old producers are still actively making fortified wines to this day. After all, being part of the good old days deserves some form of respect despite the fact that its actual glory times had all been gone. Also, their age, style, complexity, and origin can still elicit curiosity and can still draw some interest in bars, intrigued tourists, or they can even be a collector’s item for your home cellar.

Additionally, there emerged a new generation of winemakers who were keen on experimenting with the products. Most of these explored the artisan production, as well as the organic varieties.

Wines and Vineyards around Yakima WA

Yakima Valley is located in Yakima, WA – not to be confused with Western Australia. My good friend, Nick, who is an experienced roof cleaner in Perth, got a kick out of it when I thought he was from Washington state. Likewise, he was surprised to find out how much I knew of Australia’s wine-making history.

Yakima Valley produces excellent fresh fruit, vegetables and amazing wines! A trip to Yakima’s vineyard’s is a must-do when visiting this region. 

the Yakima Valley is part of the larger Columbia Valley wine region, which extends into neighbouring areas like the Walla Walla Valley and Red Mountain, offering even more options for wine enthusiasts. Be sure to check the individual wineries’ websites or contact them directly for current hours of operation and tasting room availability.

9 Popular Vineyards in Yakima Valley WA

While it’s challenging to say which are the absolute best vineyards in Yakima, some popular vineyards and wineries in the Yakima Valley that are often highly regarded by tourists and wine connoisseurs include:

1. Red Willow Vineyard: Red Willow Vineyard is known for its high-quality grapes, particularly Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Several prestigious wineries source their grapes from this vineyard.

2. Owen Roe Winery: Owen Roe is known for producing a range of exceptional wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, often using grapes from the Yakima Valley.

3. Two Mountain Winery: Two Mountain Winery offers a variety of wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay. Their estate vineyards are in the Yakima Valley.

4. Kiona Vineyards and Winery: Kiona has been producing wine in the Yakima Valley for decades and is especially renowned for its red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

5. Côte Bonneville: Côte Bonneville specialises in crafting Bordeaux-style wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, from their estate vineyards in the Yakima Valley.

6. Hightower Cellars: Hightower Cellars is known for its premium Bordeaux-style wines and is located in the Red Mountain AVA, which is part of the Yakima Valley wine region.

7. Gilbert Cellars: Gilbert Cellars produces a variety of wines, including Chardonnay, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon, with a focus on small-batch, handcrafted wines.

8. Treveri Cellars: If you’re a fan of sparkling wine, Treveri Cellars specialises in producing high-quality sparkling wines using traditional methods.

9. Zillah Lakes Inn and Winery: This winery offers a unique experience, combining accommodations with a vineyard, making it a great place to stay while exploring the Yakima Valley wine region.

Yakima Valley Most Common Wine Grapes

Yakima-produced wines are made from a diverse range of grapes. There’s something for everyone. White wine grape varieties commonly produced in Yakima include Riesling, Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, while red wine ones include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah (Shiraz), Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Grenache. 

What else to do in Yakima Valley

The Yakima region has a lot to offer in terms of what to do! There are “U-pick farms’ where you pay a fee and pick your own produce. Berries and lavender farms are a hot pick (pun-intended) for this activity. 

If you are interested in outdoor activities, the choice is vast! As Yakima enjoys a drier climate and less rainfall compared to other parts of Washington state, it’s an ideal spot for hiking, skiing, kayaking, mountain biking and more. 

Final Thoughts: Is Yakima worth a visit?

Most definitely so!

With beautiful landscapes and amazing fresh produce, food and wine, Yakima Valley is most definitely worth a visit.