Valley of riches
One of Australia’s oldest and arguably most beautiful wineries is found not in the world-famous region of the Barossa or Coonawarra, but in the vast Goulburn Valley wine region of central Victoria. Tahbilk was built in 1860 on the banks of the Goulburn River wetlands. Today, some of Tahbilk’s original Shiraz vines are among the oldest in the world.
The success of Tahbilk has made the Goulburn Valley the oldest continuously producing wine region in Victoria. It’s a sprawling region, stretching from the heart of Victoria up to the border of New South Wales. Flocks of cockatoos soar across the many tree-lined rivers, lakes and billabongs (isolated ponds). Rolling hills and golden plains are dotted with dairy farms and fruit orchards (many Australians grew up eating Goulburn Valley peaches and pears), and vineyards are scattered throughout.
With its natural beauty, significant history and numerous cellar doors and restaurants, the Goulburn Valley is a popular tourist spot. It’s about an hour-and-a-half drive directly north of Melbourne to the town of Seymour, with the other regional centres of Shepparton, Echuca and Murchison lying further north.
Goulburn Valley wine: packed with flavour
Goulburn Valley wines are typically rich and intense, and you’ll find a diverse range of varieties and styles, from vibrant sparkling wine and aromatic whites to powerful reds. Varied growing conditions, from the valley floor to slopes and hilltops, allow the region’s old and new wineries to create unique expressions of the region.
As well as having some of the oldest Shiraz vines in the world, the Goulburn Valley is also home to one of the largest and oldest areas of Marsanne vines. Originally grown in the Rhône Valley in France, Marsanne is a relatively rare variety that makes complex, citrusy, age-worthy white wines. Other noteworthy wines to look out for include Viognier, Roussanne, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The best-known wines come from the subregion of Nagambie Lakes at the southern end of the region. That’s where you’ll find the highly acclaimed Tahbilk, still run by the Purbrick family who bought it in 1925 (at that time it was the region’s only operating winery). Nearby is Mitchelton, an award-winning winery established in the late 1960s. Housed in striking buildings on the riverbank, Mitchelton’s acclaimed wines include Chardonnay, Shiraz and Grenache.
Elsewhere, take in some of the Valley’s best views from the eco-friendly cellar door at Tallis, tucked away in the hills. This boutique, family-run winery produces single-vineyard wines including sparkling Viognier, Sangiovese and a Riesling dessert wine. Equally diverse wines are found at Monichino, where the range of 25-plus different drops include Pinot Grigio, Barbera and Durif.
The vast Goulburn Valley wine region has so much to discover, from natural treasures to bustling regional towns and famous fresh produce. And with its historic wines and vines, it’s a chance to taste history in a bottle.
