Strathbogie Ranges wine region – click to enlarge
Strathbogie Ranges wine region – click to enlarge
The Strathbogie Ranges wine region forms part of Victoria’s Central Victoria wine zone alongside Bendigo, Heathcote, Goulburn Valley, and Upper Goulburn. The region remains sparsely populated, without a significant town except for its namesake, Strathbogie, a two-hour drive from Melbourne.
Nestled in the foothills of Victoria’s Great Dividing Range, the Strathbogie Ranges wine region is known for its dramatic and diverse landscape. Its landscape ranges from spectacular rocky outcrops and waterfalls to windswept and open plains, with the original forests felled in the nineteenth century to make way for farming.
The region’s winemaking history is relatively recent compared to other Victorian regions. Wine grapes were first planted in the region in 1968 when the Plunkett family planted an experimental vineyard consisting of 25 varietals. The first commercial venture was that of Dr Peter Tinsdale, who purchased a vineyard in 1975. The Plunketts later expanded their vineyards to 120 hectares.
The Strathbogie Ranges’ unique terroir is shaped by its high altitude and granitic soils. The region’s soils are derived from ancient granite boulders over 360 million years old. This contributes to the minerality and structure of the wines.
The vineyards are planted between 300 and 600 meters above sea level, some of the highest in Victoria, allowing for cooler temperatures during the growing season compared to surrounding regions. This attitude, combined with the cooling influence of breezes from the nearby Great Dividing Range, results in slower grape ripening, helping preserve acidity and enhancing aromatic intensity.
The cool, crisp climate, with warm days and cold nights, ensures the wines retain their fresh, vibrant character, making the Strathbogie Ranges a good location for cool-climate varietals.
