Classic cool-climate wines, top-tier dining and plenty more – add the Yarra Valley to your list, stat.
Drive just an hour north-east from Melbourne and you'll find yourself in the stunning Yarra Valley, Victoria's oldest wine region – not far to travel for globally celebrated wines and Insta-worthy vistas. The region is particularly known for its classic pinot noirs and chardonnays, however, recent years have seen producers push the region’s cool-climate boundaries and embrace emerging styles and varieties. This includes everything from fresh takes on Aussie classics – think shiraz, grenache and cabernet sauvignon – to alternative varieties such as nebbiolo, gamay and grüner veltliner.
But it's not just wine that makes the Yarra so special; proud and welcoming locals, world-class restaurants and incredible views around every corner make for a trip you'll never forget. Our recommendation? Base yourself in Healesville, so once you've finished at the wineries, you can taste your way through the town's award-winning craft distilleries, breweries and cosy pubs.
Elevation – 30–400m
Total vine area – 2,837ha
Average annual yield (grapes picked) – 9,000 tonnes
Soil – Grey-brown soils with rocky, clay subsoils and areas of fertile red volcanic soils
Climate – Cool continental with limited maritime influences and springtime rains
Mean temp (Jan) – 18.9°c
Average growing season rainfall – 559mm
White grapes – 40%
Red grapes – 60%
1. Pinot noir – 36%
2. Chardonnay – 33%
3. Shiraz – 8%
4. Cabernet sauvignon – 6%
5. Pinot gris / pinot grigio – 5%
The Yarra Valley is Victoria’s oldest wine region and by 1890 it produced 60% of Australia’s wine. However, as Australian tastes shifted toward fortified styles over European table wines, production eased off, eventually coming to a halt in 1921. It wasn’t until 40 years later that the Yarra Valley re-emerged, establishing itself as the internationally renowned region on all our bucket lists today.
We have blue mists and the Swiss to thank for some of the Yarra’s oldest and most prestigious wineries. Some context: sometimes the lower hills of the Yarra Valley become shrouded in a blue-tinged mist. Apparently, this fascinated Swiss viticulturalists who then chose to settle in the region, eventually founding the iconic vineyards and wineries of Yering Station, St Huberts and Yeringberg.
The Yarra Valley is very cool in relation to most of Australia’s viticultural regions ‒ and we’re not just talking about the eateries and cellar doors on offer. Thanks to variations in altitude across the valley, the region is capable of growing a wide number of varieties, including some more typically suited to warmer climates like shiraz and grenache.
