Victoria Off Piste

There is no doubt that Australia is the lucky country, and as wine lovers, that rings especially true. Here in Victoria, we are luckier still. Within a few hours of Melbourne lie some of the country's most diverse and exciting wine regions, consistently producing world-class wines. While most of us are familiar with, and likely have visited, the Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula, they represent only part of the story. Beyond the usual suspects lies a patchwork of regions with long histories, distinctive terroirs and personalities all their own, waiting to be explored.

Victorian wine is compelling not simply because of the number of regions, but the incredible breadth of styles they offer. From the cool-climate varieties produced in Ballarat and Henty, to the rich reds of Bendigo and the Pyrenees, or the fortified treasures of Rutherglen, there are few places in the world capable of such diversity. Alongside classics such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Shiraz, many of these regions have embraced varieties perfectly suited to their climates, with Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, and a host of other Mediterranean grapes now firmly at home and areas like the King Valley excelling in their production.

These regions are also home to some of Australia's most famous names and enduring classics. Great Western gave us Mount Langi Ghiran and Best's, Rutherglen boasts institutions whose histories stretch back to the nineteenth century, and the King Valley has become synonymous with Italian varieties and family-owned wineries. Many of these areas have been quietly producing benchmark wines for generations, often away from the spotlight but never out of the minds of those who know them best. Alongside those some of the greats of our next generation of winemakers are making their mark too.

This tasting is a PART II follow-up of sorts to our Victoria tasting earlier in the year and is a celebration of those regions and the people who have helped define them. Join us to revisit some old favourites and perhaps discover a few new ones while you are here, all while exploring the remarkable diversity that exists just in our backyard.