Wine regions Australia - Upper Goulburn

Upper Goulburn  Victoria

The Upper Goulburn is the central Victorian High Country. This picturesque wine region is one of the gems of Victoria's wine world. The cool climate is particularly suited to the production of high quality sparkling wine base, Chardonnay and aromatic varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Gewürztraminer.

The Goulburn River begins its journey here in the snow dressed Alps. The wine region takes in the whole upper catchment of the river as well as catchment of the Broken River. To the east of the region you have the beautiful Lake Eildon back-dropped by the ski slopes. The Goulburn Valley Highway runs through the region from Lake Eildon to the Hume Freeway that forms the western boundary. It is on the western side that most of the vineyards and wineries are found.

Viticulture did not come to the High Country until the late 1960s when Robert and Vivienne Ritchie planted grapes on their property Delatite near Mansfield. It had up until that time been the preserve of the famous high country cattlemen and sheep graziers who would move their herds to the high ground in summer. Gold miners also entered the picture in the 1850s working the many streams that dissect the region.

With snowfalls dusting much of the region in winter it truly earns its cool climate status. The vineyards rise to the snowline at around 800m. The cool temperatures and low humidity producers particularly fine Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Noir. Other grape varieties grown include Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz. The region is quite dry, with low summer rainfall necessitating irrigation.

Wine tourism in the High Country has a lot of natural assets; proximity to the ski fields and beautiful mountain scenery being just two. Towns include Mansfield the home of Banjo's ..."colt from Old Regret.." There is some wonderful regional produce such as trout, game meat and berries and plenty of restaurants, cafes and hotels to make meals of it. The High Country Harvest Festival, over two days in March shows off the region's produce.

Harvest time: March to mid May

Sites with more information:

• Upper Goulburn Wine Growers Association
• Mansfield - Mt Buller The High Country
• Murrindindi From the Yarra Valley to the High Country