Our bags are packed and we are off to Australia tonight. Sure, I know Australia is known for the Sydney Opera House, the Great Barrier Reef, the outback, and unique animals like kangaroos and platypus. Still, anyone planning an adventure down under, must visit Australian wine country.
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| Red Kangaroos, Alice Springs © Spaswinefood |
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| Mother Kangaroo & Joey, Northern Territory © Spaswinefood |
Wine enthusiasts know that there is a lot of Australian wine country to explore. I am delighted to be returning to Australian wine country for the third time in ten years. We have visited the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Margaret River, and New South Wales (NSW) wine regions (Hunter Valley, Orange and Mudgee).
New South Wales Wine Country © Spaswinefood
After arriving in Sydney, New South Wales this week we will make a quick trip to the Hunter Valley. Hunter Valley, New South Wales New South Wales is home to 14 wine regions, vary from warm to coastal, and cool alpine regions. The Hunter Valley in particular, is known for its distinct Semillon and Shiraz. First, I must confess that Tyrrell's Wines tops my list of favorite Hunter Valley wines. Tyrrell's Wines, one of Australia's iconic family-owned vineyards, has a history dating back to 1858. Fortunately, during our earlier visit to Hunter Valley, I participated in a 2019 Wine Media Conference Masterclass on Tyrrell's Semillon and Shiraz wines. The event began at their Pokolbin site, home of the historic hut and the Old Hut Vineyard, both of which we visited before an outstanding wine tasting. This was followed by dinner hosted by Tyrrell's at the Muse Restaurant. Yes, it was an evening to remember. Tyrrell's is Hunter Valley wine magic at its best.
 Tyrrell's Old Hut Vineyard, Hunter Valley © Spaswinefood When the Wine Media Conference #wmc19 met in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales (NSW), Australia October 10-12, 2019, this was the first time the conference was held outside North America. Brokenwood, the 2019 Hunter Valley Cellar Door of the Year, hosted the opening event. That evening while we sipped Hunter Valley premium wines and enjoyed fine food, we met some Living Legends of the Hunter Valley’s Wine Industry. There I sipped some of the world's best Semillon.
During the conference in addition to the sessions, I had the opportunity to participate in one of six excursions within Hunter Valley wine country. Tyrell's was my choice. There were also pre-conference and post-conference tours to wine regions in New South Wales, and Queensland. We did our own Pre-conference excursion to the Granite Belt Region, Queensland. Among the post conference options (Orange, Riverina, and Mudgee) I elected to do the Mudgee excursion.  Mudgee, New South Wales © Spaswinefood Earlier Wine Country Travels in Australia Yes, we drove about three-quarters of the way around Australia in 2015 (#Oz15), and we returned to do the east coast drive before the 2019 conference started. Below I will share vignettes, from our 2015 Spaswinefood Australian road trip, which took us to the following five wine regions (two near Melbourne, two near Adelaide, and one not far from Perth): 1. Yarra Valley Shortly after landing in Melbourne we were off to the Yarra Valley. Within less than an hour's drive from Melbourne you are in Yarra Valley wine country, the oldest wine region in Australia. Yarra Valley, home to over 80 wine cellars (tasting rooms), is well known for its cool climate wines. One of our stops included Yering Station, the oldest winery in Australia, which takes its name from the aboriginal name for the area. The winery was founded in 1838 when the Scottish brothers Ryrie settled in the Yarra Valley. In fact they planted Victoria’s first vineyard. In 1889 Yering Station wines won the Grand Prix at the Universal exhibition in Paris. This was the first time the prize was awarded to a southern hemisphere winery. While the winery changed hands several times during the 20th century today it remains a family owned winery.
2. Mornington Peninsula Mornington Peninsula is located within an hour’s drive of Melbourne. The rolling hills, winding country roads and bay side views offers the perfect setting to create your own wine and food experience. This picturesque wine region has become well known for its maritime influenced Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In the 1970’s a few visionary winemakers started growing Chardonnay and Pinot. By 1990’s the region was recognized as one of the world's exciting new wine regions. Since 2003 the region has held the Mornington Peninsula International Pinot Noir Celebration biennially. The region not only produces outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnays but also Pinot Grigio/Gris, Shiraz and other wines, which reflect the unique terroirs and microclimates of the Mornington Peninsula.
You can taste wines at more than 50 cellar doors (tasting rooms). The Mornington Peninsula has not only established a reputation for its wines but also you will find amazing culinary options, from casual cafés to fine dining.
3. Barossa Valley It was so easy to fall in love with the Barossa Valley Wine Region, South Australia. As we traveled throughout the region’s towns, villages and hamlets we grew to love it more. This region is not only home to over 80 cellar doors and 150 wineries but also it offers so many culinary delights, ranging from farmers markets to fine dining. Similarly, you will find accommodations for every budget from student hostels and caravan parks to romantic country cottages, boutique hotels and more.
The area rivals any top wine region in the world. It is easily accessible by car, bus and train from Adelaide. Adelaide is served by domestic and international flights. Barossa Valley also makes a perfect base for exploring the nearby wine regions: Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley and Murray River. 4. Clare Valley Southern Australia’s Clare Valley, an important part of the amazing happenings in the Australian wine world, is known for its stunning scenery, historic townships and of course its wines. The first grapes were planted in the valley in 1851. You will find over 40 cellar doors between Auburn and Clare, a distance of 40 kilometers. This region is known for its dry Riesling wines. However, Shiraz is the most widely planted grape variety, followed by Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon. Other white grape varieties include Chardonnay, Semillon, and Pinot Grigio; with other significant red grape varieties including Merlot, Grenache, Mourvedre, Tempranillo and Malbec.
Time in the valley will not only give you a sense of its long wine history but also exciting new developments. It is just 90 minutes drive from Adelaide to the Clare Valley where visitors will find charming towns to explore.
5. Margaret River This best-known wine region in Western Australia is located 275 km drive south of Perth. While it only produces 3% of Australia’s wine it produces 20% of Australia’s premium wines. This fact alone makes Margaret River a very special wine-growing region. It is a compact region, only 110 km from Busseltown at the north end to Augusta at the south end.
Since the first commercial vineyard, Vasse Felix was planted in 1967 the region has grown. It is now home to over 215 wine producers, with over 95-cellar doors, which range from amazing architectural designs to rustic sheds. Common white grape varieties include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon whereas the most common red grape varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz.
 Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia, 2019 © Spaswinefood For sure, adventures and wine travels go hand in hand in Australia!
For sure, I am excited to return to Australia. Yes, even after visiting there is more exciting Australian wine country to explore. I continue my Spaswinefood adventure down under, with a return to Australia. I invite you to join me in my travels in Australia and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Twitter and Facebook. I am so looking forward to sharing more on my vine-filled explorations in Australia. CHEERS! Sharon March 2024 Off to Australia © Spaswinefood  Orange, New South Wales, Australia, 2019 © Spaswinefood
#WBC19, Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia © Spaswinefood |
