Planning your holiday in Australia but confused about what to do? Then indulge yourself in the exotic vineyards and wineries, located away from the hustle-bustle of city life. Your vacation will never be complete without the mention of wine tasting & vineyard tour. Australia is one the world's largest exporters of wine, with approximately 800 million out of the 1.2 to 1.3 billion litres produced annually exported to international markets. The major grape varieties predominantly grown in Australia are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Semillon, Pinot noir, Riesling, and Sauvignon blanc.
Major Wine Regions
The wine industry is a key contributor to the Australian economy through production, employment, export and tourism. However, its wine regions are located in the southern, cooler parts of the country, with vineyards located in South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania and Queensland. In particular, South Australia is the largest wine-producing region featuring iconic producers like—Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley and Coonawarra. In recent years, the Tasmanian wine industry has also emerged as a producer of high-quality wines. Its oldest wine-growing area, Tamar Valley has developed a reputation for its Chardonnay and Pinot noir, which are well suited to the cooler Tasmanian climate.
If you consider yourself a wine aficionado, then drink your way through these finest wine-producing regions of Australia.
Yarra Valley, Victoria
Located at the east of Melbourne, Victoria, the Yarra Valley is a cool climate region that is best known for producing Chardonnay, sparkling wine and Pinot noir. Its proximity to the urban center and high profile wineries have made it an important destination for ecotourism, receiving over 3.1 million visitors in 2011.
The Barossa Valley, South Australia
The Barossa Valley is one of Australia's oldest and most premier wine regions located in South Australia. While the region is most commonly associated with its signature grape variety of Shiraz, it does grow several other varieties like Riesling, Semillon, Chardonnay, Grenache, Mourvedre and Cabernet Sauvignon. Even though it is known as a red wine region, it does produce a large amount of white wine.
Hunter Valley, New South Wales
Located in the state of New South Wales, the Hunter Valley is one of Australia's best-known wine regions. Semillon is widely considered the iconic wine of the region but it also produces wine from a variety of grapes including Shiraz, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Verdelho. Its unique climate helps the growth of distinctive Semillon.
Margaret River, Western Australia
Although this wine region produces just three per cent of total Australian grape production, it covers 20 per cent of Australia's premium wine market. The most widely harvested red and white grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon, Shiraz, Merlot, Chenin blanc and Verdelho.
Coonawarra, South Australia
Located in the Limestone Coast zone of South Australia, Coonawarra is known for the Cabernet Sauvignon wines produced on its "terra rossa" soil. Coonawarra means "Honeysuckle". Other grape varieties produced in this region are Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon blanc.
Mudgee, New South Wales
Mudgee is a wine region located in the Australian state of New South Wales. The region grows predominantly red wine varieties, especially Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.