Australia | Yarra Valley

View from Mount Donna Buang Over the Yarra Valley

The Yarra Valley was Victoria's first wine growing district with a history stretching back 170 years and is known as the birthplace of Victoria's wine industry. Known as one of Australia's coolest wine regions, vines were first planted in 1838 and viticulture spread rapidly through the 1860s and 1870s. However, increased demand for fortified wine saw Yarra Valley wine production cease in 1921. Replanting began in the late 1960s with pioneers like Dr Bailey Carrodus (of Yarra Yering), Dr John Middleton and Guill de Pury laying the foundations that have led to the Yarra Valley being recognised as one of Australia's foremost cool climate regions, capable of making classic styles from a wide range of varieties.

The modern classic Yarra Valley varieties like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz have been joined in recent years by a selection of emerging varieties. Nebbiolo, Arneis, Gamay and Gruner Veltliner are all showing great promise. Running parallel to the emergence of these new varieties has been the emergence of a new breed of revolutionary winemakers who are pushing the boundaries of grape growing and winemaking, while respecting the traditions of this beautiful region.