Explore the amazing Central Victoria wine regions, with Rambling Wine Tours.
Nagambie Lakes/Strathbogie Wine Region
Nagambie Lakes and Strathbogie are sub-regions of the Goulburn Valley in Central Victoria, a 90 minute drive from Melbourne.
Nagambie Lakes encapsulates the Goulburn Valley's rich wine-growing history, with some of its vines dating back to 1860, having survived the phylloxera scare of the 1870s. It is also home to the two of the oldest and most highly acclaimed wineries of Australia: Tahbilk (formerly Chateau Tahbilk) and Mitchelton Wines.
Strathbogie Ranges' on the other hand is a fairly new reputation as a wine growing area has given it a more boutique reputation than others, with fewer large commercial wineries than other parts of Victoria.
Both regions lie at the cooler southern end of Goulburn Valley, with Heathcote a little way to the west and the Strathbogie Ranges just east. The reddish-brown soil, rich in iron oxide, is both well-draining and moisture-retentive. These properties allow vines to receive adequate hydration whilst restricting excessive vegetative growth allowing for grapes to ripen with a high concentration of flavour compounds.
Heathcote Wine Region
Heathcote is a prestigious wine region in Central Victoria, just 100 kilometres north of Melbourne. Shiraz is the unchallenged king of Heathcote wine, characterised by their rich and deep aroma profile, a dark, almost inky colour, velvety tannins and an amazingly long finish.
The region is sandwiched between Bendigo to the west and Goulburn Valley to the east, with the state border with New South Wales a little way to the north. Vineyards lie in a narrow strip on the sides of the Mount Camel Ranges, where the elevation varies from 160 and 380 metres above sea level. This altitude lowers the temperatures throughout the year to create cool mesoclimates that are ideal for viticulture.
Heathcote summers are comparatively mild thanks to cool winds that are funnelled in from the south by the Mt Camel Ranges, resulting in an extended growing season. The ripening of the grapes is slow and steady, allowing an almost optimum phenolic development. This is one of the reasons why Heathcote produces such high-quality wines.
An often cited factor in the area's grape growing conditions is the ancient Cambrian soil that is found throughout Heathcote. These calcium-rich red soils are made up of weathered "greenstone" and are prized for their water retention capabilities. While they drain freely, enough water is held in the soil to feed the vine throughout the growing season, and there is rarely need for irrigation in Heathcote.
Heathcote produces world-class, award-winning Shiraz that is regarded as some of the best of the varietal that Australia produces. Cabernet Sauvignon is the second most important red grape here, while Merlot is used mainly as a blending component with Cabernet. Other red grape varieties showcase the region's historical ethnic diversity, including the Italian Nebbiolo and Sangiovese and the Spanish Tempranillo. Viognier is the top white grape, with the two other Rhone varieties of Marsanne and Roussanne making some interesting blended wines.
Bendigo Wine Region
Famous for its deep red shiraz and cabernet sauvignon, the Bendigo wine region encompasses wineries in and around Bendigo, in nearby Bridgewater on Loddon, Marong, Mandurang, and in apple capital Harcourt. The diversity of climate also plays host to Chardonnay, Sangiovese and Pinot Noir varieties. Riesling and sauvignon Blanc enter the picture as well.
Discover wineries hidden in the picturesque hills and valleys around the region, many still operated by the families who founded them. Meet the winemakers, taste varieties, dine with a view of the vines, and make the most of the many cellar doors, which offer a casual, friendly atmosphere.
The first grape vines were planted here in 1856, just after the massive gold rushes, with a climate of long hours of summer sunshine and cool winters.
Shepparton and Goulburn Valley Wine Region
From Dookie to Murchison, Bunbartha to Kialla, discover the Goulburn Valley's coolest and cosiest spots for a local drop.
Tantalise your senses with the taste of wine from Goulburn Valley grown grapes. Boutique wineries dotted throughout the region may be small in number, but big on variety, producing quality, award-winning wines from the finest grapes.
With the huge amount of pears and apples grown in the Goulburn Valley, cider from the region is also establishing quite a reputation.
Try refreshing local craft brews right at the source.
Get into the Aussie spirit with our small batch gin distillers. Shepparton & Goulburn Valley is spoilt for choice with our local gin distilleries and award-winning gin.
Come explore the tastes of Shepparton & Goulburn Valley for yourself!
