Yarra Valley
DIVERSE AND PROGRESSIVE
The Yarra Valley wine region was the birthplace of Victoria’s wine industry. History has given it substance, but it hasn’t weighed it down: it’s home to a progressive community of winemakers rewriting the rules.
About an hour from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley has charm in spades. The Yarra River cuts through green hills and misty valleys. Vineyards neighbour fruit orchards, olive groves and herb farms, and the local produce shows up in farmers’ markets and award-winning restaurants.
Victoria’s first major wine-growing district, the Yarra Valley is a world-renowned cool-climate region. Heritage and contemporary wineries produce everything from top-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to alternative varieties like Nebbiolo and Arneis.
Read on for more about the Yarra Valley.
37˚ 73’S
latitude
145° 22’E
longitude
2,837HA
total vineyard area
Climate and Altitude
The Yarra Valley is one of Australia's coolest wine regions, with varying altitudes that help to create different microclimates throughout the large area.
559MM
growing season rainfall
18.9C
mean temperature
17-1338M
altitude
The Environment
The Yarra Valley is a vast region surrounding the Yarra River. It’s divided into the Lower Yarra and Upper Yarra. The Great Dividing Range borders it to the north and the Dandenong Ranges to the south.
Climate
It’s generally quite cool here, with summer temperatures not climbing too high and the cold winters often misty and wet.
Soil
The Yarra Valley has two major and radically different soil types: grey-brown sandy loam on the northern side and younger, red volcanic soil on the southern side.
The Makers
Top Varieties Grown
CHARDONNAY
The Yarra Valley produces many different styles of Chardonnay, but they’re typically elegant and fresh with citrusy acidity and flavours of stone fruit and fig. Some high-quality wines can be aged for five years or more.
PINOT NOIR
The Yarra Valley is a pioneer in modern Pinot Noir. It’s a food-friendly red wine with flavours of strawberry, cherry and plum.
SHIRAZ
There are two main styles: bold and rich, or lighter with savoury flavours like olive. The best Shiraz comes from the warmer, lower-altitude vineyards.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Cabernet from the Yarra Valley wine region is rich and full-flavoured but often a little lighter than wines from warmer regions. Many can be aged for 10 to 20 years or more.
VARIETIES IN YARRA VALLEY
The ultimate guide to Yarra Valley wine
This picturesque cool-climate region is capable of producing both classic styles and alternative varieties. Learn all about Victoria’s first wine-growing region.
