Wine regions Australia - Goulburn Valley

Goulburn Valley   Victoria

Situated in the North Eastern corner of Victoria, the Goulburn Valley region is steeped in history. Full bodied Shiraz and rich Cabernet Sauvignon are consistent regional styles, along with the little known Marsanne.

The Goulburn Valley region in the Central Victorian Zone borders New South Wales along the Murray River to its north and extends south in a narrow corridor to just above Broadford in the south. It includes one sub-region Nagambie Lakes. The Goulburn River, a tributary of the Murray, flows through the centre of the region. Key towns are Shepparton, Echuca, Murchison and Seymour in the south. The region is warm and dry in summer and depends on irrigation from the Goulburn River and aquifers. Outside the Nagambie sub-region the number of wineries and vineyards are both limited in number and scattered. The region has been afflicted by phylloxera requiring a new rootstock planting program.

Nagambie Lakes Sub-region, Victoria

The Nagambie Lakes region is a most interesting region. Taste your way through the many wines made from traditional Rhône Valley varieties.

Nagambie Lakes is a sub-region of the Goulburn Valley, located in the south along the Goulburn River. This sub-region was determined on the basis of the Nagambie Lakes system, a large body of water made up of lakes, billabongs, lagoons and streams of the Goulburn River. The lakes have an important influence on the climate, resulting in moderate temperatures and fewer frosts than the surrounding inland areas. As a consequence the vineyards have been situated close to the water to take advantage of these milder conditions.

This sub-region is also marked by its soils, deep, red duplex soil laced with iron oxide overlaying gravelly, sandy, alluvial soil deposited by the river system.

The grape growing industry dates back to the 1850s with claims that the oldest Shiraz and Marsanne vines in the world grow there. Two of the pioneers of the area, the 142 year old Tahbilk winery and the much younger Mitchelton established in 1969 produce award winning wines using the region's signature grape varieties, Marsanne, Rroussanne, Viognier, Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre (Mataro) all of which were originally sourced from France's Rhône Valley. More vineyards and wineries have been established in the last 30 years producing distinctive wines using the Rhône varieties as well as Riesling, Verdelho, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The region has cellar doors, good restaurants sourcing excellent local produce and of course the lakes and the historic Goulburn Weir. Events include the World's Longest Lunch held in March and the Great Australian Shiraz Challenge in October.

Sites with more information:

• Nagambie Lakes Wines
• Yarrawonga - Mulwala Tourism