Wine regions Australia - Hastings River

Hastings River   New South Wales

The Hastings River is a small viticultural region most renowned for its substantial plantings of the French hybrid variety Chambourcin. Chardonnay and Semillon also perform well, showing richness of flavour.

Two rivers, the Hastings and the Wilson, flow through the Hastings River region. The region is on the North Coast of NSW and has a maritime, sub-tropical climate with high humidity and rainfall.

The main group of vineyards are east of the Pacific Highway near Port Macquarie and west of the highway near Wauchope.

The region was first planted with vines in the 1860s. The recent history of the area has seen the Cassegrain family pioneer the use of the fungus resistant Chambourcin grape variety as well as produce wines from Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.

The Hastings River is a developing wine region.

A useful stop for travellers is the recently established Sherwood Wine Embassy. They serve the travelling wine buff well, being conveniently located near the junction of the Pacific and Oxley Highways at Port Macquarie (next to the petrol station on Oxley Highway). The Wine Embassy offers tastings and sells wines and food condiments from a range of regional wineries and food producers. They also supply brochures and maps for most wineries and attractions in the area.

The region's quality wines, cellar door facilities, music events, good regional restaurants, coastal attractions and great climate are serving to build interest in the local wine industry.

Harvest time: late January to early March

Sites with more information

• The Greater Port Macquarie Region