| 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 in Swan Hill and Heathcote.
The 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 label for a 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 Albarino, Arneis, Barbera, Chenin blanc, Cienna, Crouchen, Dolcetto, Durif, Flora, Graciano, Lagrein, Mondeuse, Moscato, Muscadelle, Petit verdot, Orange muscat, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Tarrango, Tempranillo, Vermentino, Viognier
- Chrismont Arneis, Barbera, Marzemino, Petit manseng, Pinot gris, 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 Viognier
- Gracebrook Vineyards Albarino, Dolcetto, 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 Sangiovese
- Primerano Pinot gris
- Reads Crouchen
- Redbank Victoria Pinot gris, Viognier
- Sam Miranda Wines Durif, Petit verdot, Verdelho
- Symphonia Arneis, Albarino, Dolcetto, Meunier, Petit Manseng, Pinot gris, Saperavi, Tannat, Tempranillo, Viognier
- Wombats Run Albarino, Arneis, Furmint, Graciano, Nebbiolo, Petit manseng, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Saperavi, Tannat, Touriga, 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.
Nearby
are the Alpine
Valleys, Beechworth
and Glenrowan wine districts.
James
Halliday's Atlas of Australian Wines is a useful source of information
about the King Valley and other Australian wine regions
Back
to other wine regions for varietal wines
Buy some wine from Boutique Wineries in the King Valley |
