The "home of Australian wine diversity." - Wine Australia
Key varieties: chardonnay, pinot noir, shiraz/syrah, cabernet, riesling, fortifieds
"With more than 800 wineries and over 600 cellar doors, Victoria is a wine lover’s playground. From household-name wineries to boutique producers that fly under the radar, Victoria’s diverse wine scene offers incredible experiences and countless quality bottles to discover.
Pinot noir and chardonnay are true heroes for the state, with some of Australia’s finest examples hailing from the cool-climate reaches of the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Macedon Ranges, Geelong and Gippsland. A little further from Melbourne, expect bold reds, such as shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and others including durif and nebbiolo.
Italian wine varieties have made a home for themselves around the state, but they have a particularly proud and successful past in Victoria’s High Country – the spiritual home of prosecco. Pristine riesling dominates in key regions (Macedon and Great Western are just two to explore), while the state’s warmer climates help to produce vibrant red wines and richer white wines, such as fiano and vermentino.
Delve into Victoria’s 20-plus wine regions for some of Australia’s most consistent top-quality wines." - James Halliday
Map courtesy: James Halliday’s Wine Atlas of Australia (Hardie Grant Books 2008)