Viticultural pioneers
The lush and leafy Hastings River wine region is a shining example of a region forging its own path. With a warm, maritime climate and subtropical rains, not just any grape varieties will work here. So the region’s innovative producers have had to experiment and adapt. And over the past four decades, they’ve created a vibrant wine scene where bright whites and smooth reds pair wonderfully with local produce.
You’ll find this compact region on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, with wineries nestled into the hinterland around the holiday towns of Port Macquarie and Wauchope. The first vineyard was planted in the 1830s, but the industry had halted by the early 20th century. In 1980, the Cassegrain family, descended from an old winemaking family in France, established the Cassegrain Winery and pioneered a new wine region, new grape varieties and new ways of growing grapes to suit the climate. Today it’s the region’s most awarded winery.
From Sydney, it’s just over four hours to Port Macquarie at the heart of Hastings River. The region stretches from inland national parks to picturesque coast, and features lush rainforest, rivers and waterfalls. It’s a popular holiday destination for its down-to-earth cellar doors, great local produce (plump oysters are a highlight), acclaimed restaurants, unspoilt natural attractions and warm weather year round.
Creative coastal wines
With its temperate coastal climate influenced by the warm Pacific Ocean, and summer bringing generous rainfall, careful viticulture and harvest times are critical. Choice of variety is important too. Most wineries in Hastings River grow the French hybrid Chambourcin, which produces soft, well-balanced, purple-coloured wines, because it’s resistant to mildew that can occur in a humid climate.
A range of other grape varieties also grow in the diverse soils of this gently hilly countryside. Verdelho is a signature variety, producing vibrant white wines with tropical aromas and flavours. Lemony Semillon and rich Chardonnay also shine bright, and pair perfectly with local seafood. The region’s soft, easy-drinking reds include Chambourcin, Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Winery-wise, Cassegrain is a must-visit, and Long Point Vineyard and Inneslake Vineyard are other noteworthy players. If you like your wine with extra fun, stop in at Bago Vineyards, home to the largest hedge maze in New South Wales. At the foot of the Broken Bago Mountain, the family-run Bago Vineyards has been producing wine since 1985 and constantly trials new varieties to find ones that are best suited to the climate.
Across Australia’s diverse landscape of wine regions, covering an array of climates and soils, innovation and adaptation is the one constant. In the picturesque Hastings River wine region, this readiness to experiment and forge new paths has led to a flourishing wine community and exciting new wines to enjoy.
