Diverse and delicious wines, local produce, natural attractions and charming towns – the burgeoning Cowra wine region ticks all the boxes for a perfect country getaway. 

Neat vineyards, gentle slopes and blue skies stretch in all directions. Here you’ll find classic and alternative grape varieties thriving in more than 40 vineyards along with cellar doors and restaurants that showcase the talents of passionate producers.

Collaboration defines the  Cowra’s down-to-earth wine community. Beyond the beautiful vines –or above them in a hot-air balloon – discover national parks, waterways and fascinating historical sites. 

Read on for more  about Cowra.

33° 75’S
latitude
148° 68’E
longitude
932HA
total vineyard area
Location map

Climate and Altitude

Set among the high western slopes of the Lachlan Valley, Cowra’s continental climate brings warm days that ripen grapes to perfection and cool nights that help to produce intensely flavoured wines. 

354MM
growing season rainfall
24.7C
mean temperature
262–527M
altitude

The Environment

Part of the New South Wales Central Ranges, in the scenic Lachlan Valley, Cowra is just over two hours from Canberra and around four from Sydney.

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Climate

Thanks to its altitude and inland location, Cowra gets hot summer days and cool winters, with cool nights year-round. 

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Soil

Soils include brownish loamy sands and clay loams, and range from low to moderately fertile.

Top Varieties Grown

CHARDONNAY

Chardonnay put the Cowra wine region on the map and remains its star variety, producing classic, full-flavoured wines. 

SHIRAZ

These wines are bursting with ripe fruit flavours and earthy and peppery notes. Shiraz can also be combined with Viognier to produce vibrant red blends. 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

With its long ripening season, Cowra is well suited to growing Cabernet. It produces deeply coloured, full-flavoured wines that are ready for immediate drinking. 

ALTERNATIVE VARIETIES

A number of producers in the Cowra wine region are exploring alternative varieties with great success. They include Verdelho, Gewürztraminer and Sangiovese. 

Varieties in Cowra wine region