Australian Wine from
Alternative Grape Varieties

King Valley Wine Region

The King Valley Wine Region in North Eastern Victoria is a treasure trove of varietal wines. It has the greatest concentration of alternative varieies of any wine region in Australia. Many producers who formerly sent all of their grapes to the large wineries, both within the region and elsewhere, are now producing wine on their own account.

The varietal profile of the vines grown in the King Valley have an Italian bias, reflecting the region's history. For many years this area was a tobacco growing area. Many of the tobacco farmers were of Italian origin. From the late 1970's favourable government policies and subsidies to the tobacco industry were phased out. Alternative crops were needed and the area under grapes has steadily expanded.

Two wineries, a large one and a small one, deserve special mention. Brown Brothers is one of the largest family owned wine producers in the country. For decades they have had an extensive program of trialing new varieties. Many have graduated through from being Cellar Door Release only to full commercial release. Some of these varieties are grown at company vineyards in other regions, notably at Mystic Park near Swan Hill and at Heathcote.

One small winery of note in the region is Symphonia. This winery and its vineyards were owned by Peter Read who pioneered a number of varieites in the region, in particular Petit Manseng and Saperavi. The winery is now operated by Sam Miranda who has kept the distinctive black and white label for his alternative varietals.

A range of microclimates is available from the slightly warmer valley floors to the bracingly cool upper slopes. Thus there is a wide range of varietal wines produced. Visitors to this region have no excuse if the restrict their tasting to traditional varieties and styles.

Producers of alternative varietal wines in the King Valley include

Avalon Wines Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Verdelho
Bergamin Wines Pinot gris
Boggy Creek Vineyards Barbera, Pinot gris, Sangiovese
Brown Brothers Aglianico, Albarino, Arneis, Barbera, Carmenere, Chenin blanc, Cienna, Crouchen, Dolcetto, Durif, Flora, Graciano, Lagrein, Mondeuse, Moscato, Muscadelle, Nebbiolo, Petit verdot, Orange muscat, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Tarrango, Tempranillo, Vermentino, Viognier
Chrismont Albarino, Arneis, Barbera, Marzemino, Petit manseng, Pinot gris, Prosecco, Sangiovese, Tempranillo
Ciavarella Aucerot, Dolcetto, Durif, Graciano, Verdelho, Viognier
Ciccone Estate Sangiovese
Circo V Viognier
Collina del Re Meunier
Dal Zotto Estate Arneis, Barbera, Pinot gris, Prosecco, Sangiovese
Darling Estate Chenin blanc, Gamay
Flying Duck Estate Sangiovese, Viognier
Gracebrook Vineyards Albarino, Dolcetto, Pinot gris, Sangiovese
Henderson Hardie Gewurztraminer, Meunier, Pinot gris
John Gehrig Wines Chenin blanc, Durif, Gamay, Meunier
King River Estate Barbera, Sangiovese, Verdelho, Viognier
La Cantina King Valley Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese
Nugan Estate Durif, Pinot gris, Sangiovese, Tempranillo
Pizzini Wines Arneis, Brachetto, Nebbiolo, Picolit, Sangiovese, Verduzzo
Politini Pinot gris, Sangiovese, Vermentino
Primerano Pinot gris
Reads Crouchen
Redbank Victoria Pinot gris, Viognier
Rose Hill Estate Wines Durif
Sam Miranda Wines Durif, Petit verdot, Verdelho
Symphonia Arneis, Albarino, Dolcetto, Meunier, Petit manseng, Pinot gris, Saperavi, Tannat, Tempranillo, Viognier
Wood Park Pinot gris, Roussanne, Verdelho, Zinfandel

Other wineries source fruit from this region, notably the Mornington Peninsula's Dromana Estate which produces the 'i' range of Italian varietals.

The King Valley is one of Australia's most beautiful destinations for a wine tour.

Wine tours in the King Valley

The King Valley is one of Australia's most beautiful destinations for a wine tour.

It can be reached from Melbourne in under three hours by car. It is also possible to make a detour through the region on trips between Melbourne and Sydney.

See what other readers have to say about this region, or share your secrets.

The tourism infrastructure is well developed. The region lies astride the Snow Road which carries traffic to the nearby winter resorts. There is an emphasis on the production and sale of high quality gourmet foods, most notably Milawa cheeses and mustards.

This wine region is one of great scenic beauty. The landscape is dominated by the mountains of the Great Dividing Range. Victoria's major snowfields are in this area. Much of the higher country is protected by National Parks. The valleys have rich soils and a favourable climate suitable for a variety of agricultural uses including viticulture.

If you are making an extended visit to this region, which is highly recommended, you will find many accommodation and restaurant options in some of the wineries and in the nearby towns of Wangaratta, Milawa, Beechworth and Myrtleford.