Mount Gambier Wine Region
Mount Gambier – Click to Enlarge
Mount Gambier is one of the nation’s newest wine zones, and it’s rapidly gaining a name for its Pinot Noir and white varieties. Established in 1982, it shares the Limestone Coast zone, in the southeast of South Australia with Coonawarra, Padthaway, Wrattonbully, Mount Benson and Robe. The region received appellation as an Australian Geographical Indication in 2010. While a lot of Mount Gambier’s grapes are purchased by vineyards in the Coonawarra and Padthaway, the region is also home to a range of boutique wineries that use the grapes in their own varieties.
The scenic wine region stretches east to the Victorian border, five hours from either Adelaide or Melbourne.
The town of Mount Gambier sits on a coastal plain of limestone, with relic beach dune systems illustrating the advance and retreat of sea level during the last Ice Ages. Volcanic activity in relatively recent times has developed volcanic cones and craters, within which sits the jewel of the Blue Lake, an iconic feature of the region.
With its temperate maritime climate, Mount Gambier is one of the coolest regions in South Australia. Situated near the ocean, cool sea breezes mitigate temperature extremes, helping to ripen grapes. Expect mild to cool winters, which is when most rain falls, and warm, dry summers moderated by afternoon sea breezes.
