Australia has one of the most diverse wine scenes in the world. It’s home to 65 distinct wine regions, where passionate producers craft unique wines. You’ve probably heard of the more well-known regions – places like the Barossa Valley, Margaret River, Hunter Valley and Tasmania. But off the beaten path, away from the crowds, there are lesser-known wine regions waiting to be explored.
From premium wines alongside pristine beaches, to bright bubbly in an alpine retreat, to alternative varieties in surprising places, here are 6 lesser-known wine regions to visit – or to inspire a future trip.
And if you can’t visit any time soon, enjoying a local wine from home (you can often order directly from the winery) is a great way to discover a new region. You could even host a tasting at home featuring wines from Australia’s lesser-known regions. (Learn how to create your own wine tasting.)
EDEN VALLEY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Perfect for: escaping the crowds and unwinding in nature.
Wine to try: Eden Valley Riesling – elegant and age-worthy with bright citrus flavours.
You’ve probably heard of the Barossa Valley, but what about its tiny eastern neighbour, set high in the hills? The scenic, cool-climate Eden Valley wine region produces some of Australia’s most prestigious wines, and is renowned for its world-class Riesling. You’ll also find elegant Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and some alternative varieties including Gewürztraminer and Tempranillo.
Tucked into the mountain ranges, the Eden Valley is home to ancient eucalyptus trees and rolling hills scattered with vineyards and farms. There are small country towns to explore and plenty of welcoming cellar doors, including the world-renowned Henschke winery and the Yalumba wine room, plus an array of boutique wineries.
Read more about the Eden Valley wine region.
RIVERLAND, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Perfect for: discovering edgy wines while soaking up some sun.
Wine to try: Riverland Nero d’Avola – bold, rich and full of flavour.
About two-and-a-half hours north-east of Adelaide, the vast, sun-drenched Riverland wine region is home to around 1,000 wine grape growers and produces a huge volume of Aussie wine – yet it still manages to fly under the radar. But now that’s changing, as growers, makers and wine lovers rediscover what makes this region unique.
Thanks to passionate producers, the Riverland is becoming an exciting haven of organic wines and alternative varieties, including Fiano, Vermentino, Montepulciano and Nero d’Avola. Wines here are bold and bursting with flavour. And when you need a break from wine tasting, there’s plenty of other options – hike through national parks, take a boat cruise along the Murray River or indulge in the wide range of local produce.
Read more about the Riverland wine region.
KING VALLEY, VICTORIA
Perfect for: indulging in Italian-inspired food and wine against an alpine backdrop.
Wine to try: King Valley Prosecco – vibrant, refreshing and pairs perfectly with antipasto.
In Victoria’s high country, about three hours north-east of Melbourne, you’ll find the King Valley wine region, one of Australia’s highest-altitude wine-growing areas. With its rolling hills, cooler climate and fertile land, this scenic region is all about diversity – it grows a huge number of grape varieties. It’s also the birthplace of Australian Prosecco. So you can expect brilliant sparkling wines, but also an array of premium red and white wines, with Sangiovese and Pinot Grigio leading the charge.
After World War II, the King Valley became home to Italian immigrants who planted grape varieties from their homeland. A vibrant Italian-influenced culture sets this region apart and means there’s plenty of delicious food to pair with the local wines. Sampling your way along the Prosecco Road is a great way to taste it all.
Read more about the King Valley wine region.
GREAT SOUTHERN, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Perfect for: enjoying premium wines on a road trip through spectacular scenery.
Local wine to try: lighter-bodied, spicy Shiraz or elegant, intensely flavoured Chardonnay.
The Great Southern was declared one of the best places to grow grapes in Western Australia in the mid-1900s, and these days it produces some of the state’s top wines. A five-hour drive or one-hour flight from Perth, this rugged region might be less well known than the neighbouring Margaret River, but it excels at classic wines: think Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz.
The vast Great Southern wine region (it’s almost the same size as Switzerland) is made up of five subregions – each home to vibrant small towns and distinctive wines – so there’s plenty to explore. Its remote location and pristine natural beauty will make you feel like you’re discovering its national parks, unique wildlife, ancient mountain ranges and miles of unspoilt coastline for the very first time.
Read more about the Great Southern wine region.
ORANGE, NEW SOUTH WALES
Perfect for: an indulgent weekend of award-winning food and wine.
Wine to try: Orange Chardonnay – styles range from crisp and elegant to rich and creamy.
In just over three decades, the Orange wine region has become an exciting region on the rise that’s home to more than 60 wineries and top winemaking talent. It’s best known for its Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, and is fast building a reputation for elegant sparkling wines. Orange is also a serious dining destination thanks to its award-winning restaurants and top-quality produce.
About three-and-a-half hours west of Sydney, Orange is one of the highest vineyard areas in Australia. The weather is relatively cool and the landscape is dominated by the now extinct Mount Canabolas volcano. It’s a great place to visit all year round – there’s snow in winter, striking golden leaves in autumn and cherry blossoms in spring.
Read more about the Orange wine region.
GRANITE BELT, QUEENSLAND
Perfect for: exploring alternative varieties in a mountainous pocket of cool.
Wine to try: Granite Belt Verdelho – fresh, aromatic and bursting with tropical fruit flavours.
If Queensland is the sunshine state, the Granite Belt wine region is its capital of cool. Less than three hours south-west of Brisbane, and set high in the mountains, this is a small but exciting region thanks to its elegant, cooler-climate wines and boundary-pushing makers. It’s also one of Australia’s top producers of alternative varieties, which the local wine community has dubbed ‘Strange Birds’.
The landscape is dominated by forests, mountains and giant granite boulders, and the air is crisp and clean. Like many smaller wine regions in Australia, there’s a strong sense of community, and you’ll meet welcoming locals and friendly winemakers offering personalised tours. There are nearly 50 cellar doors, many of which you can visit along one of the Strange Bird wine trails, where you’ll taste everything from Fiano and Gewürztraminer to Sangiovese and Saperavi.
Read more about the Granite Belt wine region.
Want to learn about Australian wine?
Download ‘Introduction to wine: the ultimate guide’ to learn about Australia’s top wine regions and varieties. It also covers all the basics of wine, including how it’s made, how to taste it and how to serve it.
