Riverside vines
On a green and brown landscape spiked with ancient river gums, Perricoota is one of Australia’s newest wine regions, emerging as an exciting food and wine destination. Sun-drenched vineyards produce flavoursome, food-friendly wines – everything from Chardonnay bursting with citrus and stone fruit to smooth, full-flavoured Shiraz and rich fortified styles.
Many Australian wine regions are close to the coast, where they generally receive ample rain or access to underground water. But there are also numerous inland wine regions, some surviving on water from nearby rivers. The famous Murray River is Perricoota’s lifeblood, enabling its thriving agriculture and tourism industries. Stretching for more than 2,600 kilometres, the Murray River is one of the greatest in the world. It even has its own flag.
The life-giving river is Perricoota’s southern boundary and it’s made the area a tourism hotspot, with visitors coming for the famous river-straddling twin towns of Echuca (on the Victorian side) and Moama (on the New South Wales side), plus boating, fishing and charming old paddle steamers. Time could be worse spent than cruising down the Murray, soaking up the bushland surrounds with a full-flavoured local wine in hand.
Less than three hours from Melbourne, the Perricoota wine region is also known for its local produce. Follow the region’s food and wine trail and discover cellar doors, intimate dining experiences and maybe a hidden gem or two.
Perricoota wines: generous and easy-drinking
The wine scene might be relatively young, with vineyards first planted in the 1990s, but the region itself has a rich history and you’ll find a number of heritage-listed sites. The region’s name comes from Perricoota Station, a homestead and grazing property built in the mid-1800s, which today is run by descendants of owners who bought the station in 1911.
Perricoota is a small wine region; tiny when compared to neighbouring Riverina in the north, and it has a cooler climate. This results in more elegant wine styles and some top-quality, age-worthy drops. Both red and white varieties thrive, and the region’s big four are Chardonnay, Semillon, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Expect generous flavours and approachable, food-friendly styles. You’ll also find some alternative varieties like Vermentino and Sangiovese and opulent fortified wines.
Local vineyards sell some of their fruit to big-name wine companies outside the region, but there are also local wineries crafting award-winning drops. St Anne’s established one of the first vineyards in the region, owned and run by the McLean family. On the banks of the Murray River, along the Moama walking and bike trail, it produces a range of wine styles, which you can taste in the cellar door. For another picturesque winery experience, arrive at Morrisons Riverview Winery by paddle steamer, sample wines and beers made onsite and enjoy vineyard views over lunch.
They say good things come in small packages and that’s certainly true in the Perricoota wine region, where a pocket of wineries and sun-soaked vineyards are waiting to be discovered
