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Yarra Wine Growing Region

The Yarra Valley in Victoria is the birthplace of the Victorian wine industry. The first vineyard was planted at what is now Yering Station in 1938 and viticulture spread rapidly through the 1860s and 1870s. The Yarra Valley is located 50km north-east of Melbourne. Yarra Glen, Healesville and Warburton are the main towns of the region, which is dotted with orchards, market gardens, vineyards and flower farms. The Yarra River flows through some of Australia's most beautiful countryside and peaceful Alpine towns.

Today the Yarra Valley is home to over 55 wineries, and is Australia’s finest region for pinot noir and sparkling wines. The Yarra Valley is also recognised as a producer of exceptional chardonnay, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. The terrain and topography is as varied as any wine region in Australia. It covers river flats and terraces through to some of the steepest slopes to be found in the country, equalled only by the Adelaide Hills vineyards. On the steeper slopes, aspect is very important, with north facing slopes strongly preferred.

There are two basic soil types; the traditional areas on one side of the valley range from loamy sand to clay loam with red-brown clay subsoils. Most are relatively acidic and low in fertility, but are generally well drained. The other major soil type is the deep and fertile red volcanic soil to be found on the southern side of the valley.

Chardonnay
The quality and range of style of Yarra Valley Chardonnay has increased dramatically over the past ten years. There is a distinctive regional melon, fig and white peach base flavour to all Yarra Valley Chardonnays, but there is also tremendous diversity in texture and richness that partly reflects vintage variation and partly differing winemaking techniques. Yarra Valley produces long-lived Chardonnay of the highest quality.

Sauvignon Blanc
Only small amounts of sauvignon blanc grapes are grown, and demand is substantially in excess of valley-grown supply. The appetite of the wineries for Yarra Valley Sauvignon Blanc fruit remains undiminished. Even smaller quantities of Semillon are grown and, where available, are usually blended with Sauvignon Blanc to good effect.

Cabernet Sauvignon
Almost every winery in the Yarra Valley makes a Cabernet Sauvignon. It is usually blended with up to 20 percent, sometimes more, of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The wines are elegant and can vary from light bodied through to full bodied. The common feature is the softness of the tannins. These wines cellar exceptionally well.

Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir takes pride of place because the Yarra Valley has achieved more with this grape variety than any other wine region in Australia. Some wine drinkers dismiss Pinot Noir because it is so different to Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz, but more and more are coming to appreciate its apparently fragile but profound structure and surprising length of flavour. It has a strawberry plum spectrum of fruit flavours.

Shiraz
The climate is not perfect for Shiraz in the Yarra, and so it is sparingly produced. Site selection is critical. The warm, north-facing slopes are capable of producing intensely coloured and flavoured wines, redolent of black cherry spice and pepper. They are never too extracted or alcoholic and have fine, silky Yarra Valley tannins.