Australian Wine from
Alternative Grape Varieties

Planning a Wine Trip?

Vinodiversity's Hotel Booking Service will find you the best deals

Southern Fleurieu Wine Region

The Southern Fleurieu Wine Region is located immediately to the south of the more famous McLaren Vale Region. The largest town in the region is Victor Harbour well known as a seaside resort and as a whale watching centre.

This part of the Fleurieu Peninsula is more undulating than McLaren Vale and hence there is greater range of microclimates. The influence of the sea to the south and west is a moderating influence on the climate which follows the Mediterranean pattern of cool wet winters and hot dry summers.

Although there was some viticulture in the area in the Nineteenth Century most of the wineries now in the region are relatively new.

The Southern Fleurieu produces mainly red wines with the Australian favourites Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot the principal varieties.

White wine in this region comes mainly from Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc and Semillon, although Pinot Gris and Viognier are now used by a few growers.

The following Southern Fleurieu Wineries use alternative varieties

Allusion Wines Viognier
Carickalinga Creek Viognier
Lady Bay Winery Pinot gris, Viognier
Minko Pinot gris
Mosquito Hill Wines Pinot blanc, Savagnin
Mount Trafford Grenache
Mt Billy Grenache, Meunier, Mourvedre
Parri Estate Grenache, Viognier
Pelican's Landing Maritime Wines Viognier
Whale Coast Wines Petit verdot, Tempranillo, Viognier

The Fleurieu Zone

This is a compact wine area which comprises five wine regions on and near the Fleurieu Peninsula to the south of Adelaide. The Peninsula separates the Gulf of St Vincent from Lake Alexandrina. Kangaroo Island is really an extension of the Peninsula.

The five wine regions in this zone are

Visiting Southern Fleurieu

The region is quite close to Adelaide and can be visited as a day trip or as part of a wine tour to McLaren Vale. The main resort town is Victor Harbour. It has an abundance of accommodation for weekends or longer stays.

Away from the hustle and bustle of Victor Harbour there are other country and seaside options for extending your stay.

Southern Fleurieu wineries also attract passers by driving to Cape Jervis to embark on the ferry to Kangaroo Island.

The future of the region

The benign climate as well as suitable topography and soils bode well for the the future of this region. Its location close to Adelaide and the seaside resorts is also an asset. At the moment its main problem is that nobody much has heard of the region.

sdf