The relatively small State of Victoria is the third most important viticultural area of Australia, just behind South Australia and New South Wales.
In the past, Victoria's vineyards were of the utmost importance in the country but the state was deeply affected by the phylloxera. Nowadays, thanks to a replanting effort the state supply a quarter of Australia's wine production. South-east of the country, Victoria enjoys a cool oceanic climate. The State consists of a few wine-growing regions.
The high profile wine producers of Victoria are Tahbilk and By Farr.
Geelong
Geelong is located in the Port Phillip zone, 50 miles (75 kilometres) south-west of Melbourne. The oceanic climate is influenced by the cool breezes coming from Port Phillip Bay. The soils are varied, with limestone, clay and dark volcanic elements.
Geelong produces Pinot Noir round wines with humus notes. Chardonnay gives impressive full-bodied wines with rich flavors. The best whites can age beautifully in the bottle.
Heathcote
The prestigious area of Heathcote is found in Central Victoria, at an hour and half's drive from Melbourne. The vines spread in a narrow strip on the slopes of the Mount Camel hills. The climate is tempered by altitude and cool breezes from the south. The ancient soil from the Primary Age contain calcium and other sediments known for their water retention capabilities. They produces high quality small concentrated grapes.
Syrah is the star variety of Heathcote and gifts the region with top of the range wines celebrated all over the world. Some are considered as the best Syrah wines in the world by virtue of their rich and deep aroma and their velvety tannins.
Rutherglen
Rutherglen is located in the North-East of Victoria. The vineyards are planted on flatlands and are exposed to the continental climate. The summer's heat make it possible to use the grapes for fortified wines. The wine-growing region consists of alluvial soils from the Murray River.
Rutherglen is the top producer of Australian fortified wine with its famous Muscats and Tokays.
Yarra Valley
Yarra Valley is on the eastern half of the Port Phillip viticultural area. In Victoria, this wine-growing region is a very popular touristic place. It enjoys a maritime climate with an exposure to winds and rains. But there is a high risk of spring frost. The soils consists of free-draining composites like sandy loams or volcanic red elements.
Yarra Valley enjoys a great reputation thanks to its production of excellent and complex wines from Pinot Noir. They have ripe tannins and delicious strawberry, plum and black cherry flavors. The high quality wines from Chardonnay have distinctive aromas of melon, fig and white peach.
