Swan Hill Wine Region

This irrigated wine region in northern Victoria is centred on the Regional City of Swan Hill. It also includes some vineyards in the adjoining irrigation districts of New South Wales.

The region produces much more wine than is generally known. A considerable proportion of the wine produced here is taken for vinification elsewhere. For example Brown Brothers have large vineyards at Kangaroo Lake near Mystic Park. They grow their Crouchen in this region. It is a component of Brown Brothers Crouchen & Riesling, one of the top selling wines in Australia.

Two Victorian wineries have their second winery in this region. Best's, whose main winery is in the Grampians wine region have their St Andrews vineyards and winery near Lake Boga.

Bullers main winery, Caliope, is in Rutherglen. Their winery in this region is at Rutherglen.

Many large wine companies also buy grapes on contract from growers in this region.

Over the past few years many grapegrowers have started making wine under their own label. In these cases you will find Swan Hill mentioned on the label. The local tourist industry is gradually coming around to promoting local wines as part of the experience of visiting this sunny part of the state.

The climate is hot and dry in the summer, it is marginally cooler than the Murray Darling Region centred on Mildura further down the Murray River. Durif is a favourite red wine variety here, but there is interest in Tempranillo and Sangiovese as well.

Yellymong's Pinot gris seems an anomaly, but it is a very good example of how clever viticulture and winemaking can defy predictions about the climatic suitability for some varieties. Or is Pinot gris more versatile than we think?

• Andrew Peace Wines Grenache, Malbec, Mourvedre, Sagrantino, Sangiovese, Viognier
• Brown Brothers (at Mystic Park) Cienna, Crouchen, Dolcetto, Flora, Orange Muscat, Tarrango
• Brumby Wines Durif
• Bullers Beverford Chasselas, Chenin blanc, Grenache, Mourvedre
• Carpenteri Vineyards Grenache, Malbec, Mourvedre
• Date Brothers Durif
• Dos Rios Durif, Pinot gris, Tempranillo, Verdelho, Viognier
• Oak Dale Wines Mourvedre
• Renewan Durif
• Yellymong Pinot gris