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Pyrenees Wine RegionThe Pyrenees Wine Region is located around the eponymous mountain range in Western Victoria. To the west is the Grampians Wine Region, and to the east is the Bendigo Wine Region. The climate and soils have proved to be very suitable for the production of high quality red wines and hence there is a predominance of shiraz as the variety of choice. This region is predominately to the north of Great Dividing Range. Dry autumns with cool nights make for ideal ripening conditions. Over the past few vintages drought has restricted production of some vineyards, and inhibited the development of new plantings. The main town is Avoca, a gold era settlement that now has a population of 1500 or so. The larger town of St Arnaud lies at the northern boundary of the region. The modern phase of winemaking in the region dates back to the 1960s when the French brandy maker Remy Martin established Chateau Remy (now Blue Pyrenees Estate) to make brandy. The 1970s saw Mount Avoca, Taltarni and Warrenmang started with the aim of making premium red wines. During the ensuing decades others followed with the Pyrenees wine region now has about two dozen wineries,all producing very good dry red wine. Shiraz, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the most popular varieties, but a few wineries are now using alternative varieties, particularly Sangiovese and Tempranillo. Of interest is the plan by St Ignatius Vineyard to plant some Torrentes, a white wine variety from the Diaz family's former home country Argentina.
Visiting the Pyrenees The region is just a couple of hours drive north west of Melbourne via the Western and Sunraysia Highways. There are many accommodation choices in Avoca, while the Warrenmang Vineyard is part of a resort with accommodation and fine dining facilities. It is quite easy to combine a wine tour to the Pyrenees wine region with visits to the nearby Grampians and Bendigo regions. Sign up for the Vinodiversity Newsletter to keep informed about the Pyrenees and other regions.
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