Australia is one of the most beautiful and diverse wine-producing countries in the world, producing a vast array of classic and boundary-pushing wines. There are exciting wine regions to be found right across the country – so where do you begin? Here’s a snapshot of the most popular Aussie wine regions, from the rolling hills of the Barossa Valley, to the turquoise waters of Margaret River, to the pristine wilderness of Tasmania.
BAROSSA VALLEY
Famous for: bold red wines and a rich winemaking heritage.
If you know about Australian wine, chances are you know about the Barossa Valley. Less than an hour’s drive from Adelaide in South Australia, it’s one of the world’s great wine regions, famous for its full-flavoured Shiraz, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon. Sixth-generation growers tend to some of the world’s oldest vines and there are more than 150 wineries dotted among the rolling hills and valleys.
With so much to offer, the Barossa Valley is a popular tourist destination. Markets and festivals fill the calendar, historic villages await discovery, and there’s a thriving food scene thanks to the region’s European heritage and top-quality produce.
Read more about the Barossa Valley wine region.
CLARE VALLEY
Famous for: world-class Riesling and family-run wineries.
Tucked away in South Australia’s Mount Lofty Ranges, the Clare Valley wine region is a hidden gem that produces top-quality wines including Riesling, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Despite being home to some of Australia’s best wineries and most important wine inventions, the Clare Valley has retained its relaxed, rural spirit and offers a retreat from city life.
Drive two hours north of Adelaide and you’ll find yourself in a postcard of rolling green hills, gum trees and stone-cottage cellar doors. Any wine tasting will feature the region’s famous Riesling, and there’s an array of other classic and alternative varieties. In between drinks, explore hiking tracks, historic buildings and delicious local produce.
Read more about the Clare Valley wine region.
HUNTER VALLEY
Famous for: award-winning wine and food in a historic setting.
The Hunter Valley is the home of Australia’s first commercial vineyards, with vineyards dating back to the 1860s. It’s also one of the country’s best-known and most-visited wine regions, thanks to its easy two-hour drive from Sydney, award-winning cellar doors, top restaurants and stunning scenery.
A mix of traditional and innovative producers craft unique, age-worthy Semillon wines, alongside Chardonnay, Shiraz and a growing list of alternative varieties suited to the warm climate. Producers of cheese, chocolate, cured meats and olives help make this a gourmet hotspot.
Read more about the Hunter Valley wine region.
MARGARET RIVER
Famous for: classic wines and spectacular scenery.
In this remote yet world-renowned wine region of Western Australia, it’s not surprising that visitors sometimes outnumber locals. Margaret River is home to pristine beaches, epic caves, ancient forests, and plants and wildlife found nowhere else. Alongside this natural beauty, there are world-class wine and food experiences.
About three hours south of Perth, the Margaret River wine region is best known for its age-worthy Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Soak up the region’s laid-back lifestyle while exploring more than 90 welcoming cellar doors.
Read more about the Margaret River wine region.
MCLAREN VALE
Famous for: acclaimed red wines with ocean views.
Tucked between white-sand beaches and mountain ranges, and just 45 minutes’ drive south of Adelaide, McLaren Vale is a picturesque region of rolling hills, small villages, great food and exciting wines. This was South Australia’s first wine region, established in 1838, and today it’s home to one of the most progressive and environmentally sustainable wine communities in the country.
There are more than 100 wineries in this popular region, producing wines that are diverse in style and up there with Australia’s best. Most grapes grown here are red, with Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache leading the charge.
Read more about the McLaren Vale wine region.
MORNINGTON PENINSULA
Famous for: elegant wines and indulgent seaside getaways.
Just over an hour from Melbourne, the stunning Mornington Peninsula wine region is popular for weekend escapes and is one of Australia’s food and wine hotspots. Think coastal views, green pastures and award-winning cellar doors and restaurants dotted among villages.
Tucked into the bottom of eastern Australia, the Mornington Peninsula is surrounded by three bodies of water, which provide cool breezes and a long grape-growing season that builds intense yet elegant flavours. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the stars, and you’ll also find a range of other premium wines, including Pinot Grigio/Gris, Shiraz, Tempranillo and Nebbiolo.
Read more about the Mornington Peninsula wine region.
YARRA VALLEY
Famous for: brilliant cool-climate wines on Melbourne’s doorstep.
The Yarra Valley is one of Australia’s top cool-climate wine regions, where historic and contemporary wineries produce world-class Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, plus alternative varieties like Nebbiolo and Arneis. Less than an hour’s drive north-east of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley was Victoria’s first official wine region and today it’s at the forefront of Aussie cool-climate winemaking.
This expansive region is a popular tourist spot – it’s packed with award-winning restaurants and cellar doors, and its green hills and misty valleys make it a beautiful place to explore.
Read more about the Yarra Valley wine region.
TASMANIA
Famous for: premium sparkling wines and unspoilt wilderness.
The island of Tasmania, south of mainland Australia, is home to dramatic mountains, national parks and sweeping bays of crystal-clear water. It’s a pretty spectacular backdrop to some of Australia’s best wine, food and cultural experiences.
Tasmania has rapidly built a reputation for its premium, cool-climate sparkling and still wines that reflect the island’s diverse landscape. These days, there are around 230 vineyards and 95 cellar doors, and demand for the region’s grapes outstrips supply. Expect elegant, intensely flavoured wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling, and a diverse range of world-class sparkling styles.
Read more about the Tasmania wine region.
Want to learn more about Australian wine?
Download ‘Foundations of Australian wine’ to learn more about Australia’s top wine regions and varieties, along with the climate, soils and history that make Australia so unique.
