Wine Zones of Victoria – Click to enlarge
Victoria has lots to shout about when it comes to wine. They have the most regions of any wine-producing state with 20 unique and diverse regions producing virtually every imaginable wine style from fine sparkling wine, quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon, savoury Shiraz and the historic fortified wines of Rutherglen. When it comes to planted vines, Victoria is the third largest behind South Australia and New South Wales, with around 23,600 hectares of vines, under a third of that of South Australia. The state contributes around 13% of the annual crush, according to Wine Australia National Vintage Report 2023, with around 13% of this coming from the Victorian side of the Murray Darling/Swan Hill regions and a little over 4% coming from the remaining 18 regions.
The state is made up of 6 wine zones and 20 official GI (Geographic Indication) wine regions. Perhaps the most well-known is Port Phillip, around the state’s capital, which is home to 5 wine regions; Yarra Valley, which is known for its outstanding beauty as well as its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay; Mornington Peninsula, with stunning beaches and coastal villages to explore, as well as charming cellar doors; Geelong, on the west side of the bay, around the town of the same name; Macedon Ranges, the furthest north in this zone, famously home to day spas and indulgence; and lastly but no means least Sunbury, which is the smallest of all the region in Victoria, with its centre just 15 minutes from Melbourne airport.
Travelling north, the Macedon Ranges meet the wine regions of Bendigo to the northwest and Heathcote to the north, both part of the Central Victoria wine zone. Both regions still celebrate the legacy of Victoria’s gold rush, which can still be seen in the charm of the towns. Moving east, the Goulburn Valley, centred around the town of Shepparton and stretching from Seymour in central Victoria right up to Echuca on the Murray River. South from here is the sparsely populated Strathbogie Ranges, with just a handful of wineries and Upper Goulburn, a seriously cool area with mountains up to 1800m and vineyards planted up to 800m.
East from here is North East Victoria wine zone comprising of Glenrowan, famous for Ned Kellys last stand and centred around the town of Wangaratta; King Valley, whose Italian history is reflected in its wines; Alpine Valley, offering stunning valley views created by the Ovens, Buffalo, Buckland and Kiewa rivers; Beechworth, one of the smallest regions after Sunbury, meaning the Vignerons can devote hands-on attention to the wine-making; and Rutherglen, the unchallenged capital of fortified wines in Australia, with many of its great wines recognised throughout the world.
South, we have the Gippsland wine zone, which stretches from the border of the zones mentioned above all the way to the coast. It does not have any official wine regions, although many suggest it should, as it displays numerous climatic areas. At the very least, it is referred to by sub-zones for East, West and South Gippsland.
The west of the state is the Western Victoria wine zone and the Henty wine region situated to the east of South Australia’s Coonawarra an ideal cool region for sparkling and delicate, aromatic wines. The region was named after Edward Henty, who was the first permanent settler in what would be Victoria. To the northeast, and located against the backdrop of the magnificent Grampians mountain range, is the Grampians wine region, producing quality wine since the 1860’s, with a mix of large and boutique wineries surrounding the towns of Ararat, Buangor, Moyston and Halls Gap. Finally, the Pyrenees wine region is less than two hours from Melbourne and is home to award-winning wines and the spectacular untamed ranges that give this region its name.
Alpine Valley is situated on the western slopes of the Victorian Alps in northeast Victoria. It is bordered to the west by the King Valley and to the north by the Beechworth wine region.
Beechworth wine region is relatively young but growing steadily. It shares the North East Victoria wine zone with the Alpine Valleys, Glenrowan, the King Valley and the Rutherglen wine regions.
This Central Victoria wine region starts just 90 minutes north of Melbourne. The first grape vines were planted here in 1856, just after the massive gold rushes and enjoys long summer sunshine and cool winters.
The region is proud to be part of Victoria’s Pinot Coast which consists of three regions: Geelong, the Mornington Peninsula and Gippsland, and effectively wraps around Melbourne.
A wine zone stretching from the most southern part of mainland Victoria, all the way to the New South Wales border. Despite its size it has one of the lowest areas of vines.
Famous for Ned Kellys last stand, Glenrowan is located in the surrounds of the Warby Range in North East Victoria wine zone, this compact wine region has been producing bold and complex wines since 1870.
The Goulburn Valley is part of the Central Victoria Wine Zone and stretches from Seymour in central Victoria right up to Echuca on the Murray River. The region has been producing wine since 1860’s
A wine region is in the Western Victoria wine zone, about three hours from Melbourne. It’s a striking, mountainous region bordered to its west by a national park and to its east by a mountain range.
Nestled between Goulburn Valley and Bendigo, to its west and east in the Central Victoria wine zone and the Macedon Ranges to the south in the Port Philip wine zone.
This wine region has one of the cooler climates of any Australian wine region and is known for its white wine production of Chardonnay, Riesling, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.
A wine region centering on the King River between Wangaratta and the Alpine National Park in the North East Victoria wine zone with Alpine Valleys to its east and Glenrowan to its west.
Part of the Port Philip wine zone and is Australia’s coolest mainland wine regions. The region borders Bendigo and Heathcote to the North and Sunbury to the south.
The Mornington Peninsula is a stunning coastal region just 1 hour’s drive south of Melbourne. The region has a cool climate making wine growing ideal and produces stunning Pinot Noir.
One of the few regions that cross state borders, straddling the Murray River in northwest VIC and western NSW. Combined with Swan-Hill it is the third-largest winegrowing region in Australia.
Less than two hours from Melbourne, the Pyrenees wine region shares the Western Victoria wine zone with Grampians and Henty. A region of stunning wines with views to match.
Rutherglen is another of Victoria’s infamous regions. Situated in the Northeast Victoria wine zone bordering New South Wales, Rutherglen is famous for its sweet fortified wines.
The Strathbogie Ranges includes wineries centered in the town of Strathbogie in the Central Victoria wine zone. It is nestled between Goulburn Valley to the north and Upper Goulburn to the south.
The region is a short 30-minute drive from Melbourne’s CBD and is one of Victoria’s oldest wine regions. With Tullamarine within its boundaries it’s uniquely the only wine region with an international airport.
Sharing this accolade with the Murray Darling region to its north, Swan Hill straddles New South Wales and Victoria with the Murray River running through it. Most vineyards are on the Victorian (southern) side.
Upper Goulburn lies within the Central Victoria wine zone. It is north of the renowned Yarra Valley and occupies most of the upper catchment of the Goulburn river before it flows into the Goulburn Valley.
Just 45 km east of Melbourne’s CBD, the Yarra Valley was Victoria’s first wine-growing district with a history stretching back to its first plantings in 1838. The Yarra Valley is a world-renowned cool-climate region.
