In my early twenties, I had an unquenchable thirst for travel and the desire to explore a country on my own. So I quit my job, packed two bags and bought a one way ticket to Australia. Even though I was flying solo, I made heaps of friends along the way, and we’d spend our evenings in hostels drinking cheap wine because we were backpackers on a budget.
It was here, in a circle of new friendships and foreign accents that I learned about Goon, cheap boxed wine that’s well known to Australians, but consumed more so by backpackers.
It didn’t leave a great taste in your mouth, but it was inexpensive, and I decided not to judge the country off my obvious wrong choice of drink. Six years later, I’m back in Australia and ready to dive into Australia’s wine culture the right way. Australians produce over 1 billion liters of wine a year, and is the fifth largest producer in the world. There are over 65 wine regions, each with its own unique geography, climates and soils. More than 100 different grape varieties have been planted, but shiraz and chardonnay are the standout varietals that grow in every region.
Without further ado, here are 5 of the top wine regions to road trip through in Australia.
1. Barossa Valley, South Australia
Barossa Valley is one of Australia’s most famous wine regions and is home to some of the oldest vines in the world. The viticulture here is steeped in tradition and dates all the way back to German settlers who came to the area in the mid-19th century. This generation of winemakers has been pivotal in the evolution and elevation of Australian wine to a global audience. The region is responsible for some of the countries finest shiraz, but a glass or two of chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and riesling are definitely worth a try as well. A short 50-minute drive from Adelaide, all enthusiastic connoisseur’s should put the Barossa Valley on their list.
Top wineries to visit in Barossa
2. Yarra Valley, VIC
The Yarra Valley is Victoria’s first wine growing district, and is known as the birthplace of Victoria’s wine industry. The unique landscape and terrain of the region has created an expansive array of growing sites for distinguished cool climate wines like sparkling and chardonnay, as well as intricate pinot noir and the world-famous shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. Just an hour east of Melbourne, the valley has become a top road trip holiday destination and weekend getaway. Enjoy one of the most scenic routes in Victoria while trying to decide which of the 80 wineries you want to stop and taste at.
Top wineries to visit in Yarra Valley
3. Margaret River, Western Australia
Margaret River is located in the far southwest corner of Western Australia and is one of the most geographically isolated wine regions in the world. It’s younger and lesser known than the country’s other regions, so pay a visit before the secret is out! Today, there are more than 200 wineries in the region that produce around 20 percent of Australia’s premium wines. From grand estates to family-owned cellars, you can visit over 90 cellar doors producing cabernet, chardonnay, sémillon and sauvignon blanc.
Top wineries to visit in Margaret River
4. Adelaide Hills, South Australia
The picturesque Adelaide Hills region is a mere 20-minute drive from the city, making it a popular day tripping destination. Almost 90 wineries harvest from a variety of grapes including chardonnay, riesling and pinot noir. Adelaide is a cool climate region, and vines cling to rocky hillsides covered in fog before grapes ripen with the help of cooling breezes. While still a young wine region, the Adelaide Hills has been acclaimed around the world for many years for their chardonnay, bright with fruit intensity and complexity that challenges the traditional assumptions of white wine.
Top wineries to visit in Adelaide
5. Riverina, New South Wales
The largest wine producing region in the state, Riverina grows 15 percent of Australia’s total grape production. The spread of wineries and vineyards cover over 15,000 hectares and is located on the southwest plains of New South Wales with Griffith as the closest regional city. It’s flat plains, rich soil, and Mediterranean climate were key factors in developing the wine region back in 1913. Today, chardonnay is one of the Riverina’s most important grape varieties, where the use of oak helps produces a wine of varietal flavor, style and weight.
Top wineries to visit in Riverina
