Shoalhaven Region
Sydney Metropolitan Region
Southern Highlands Region

Location
 Zone - South Coast
State - New South Wales

Map Reference
 Latitude 36 degrees and 40 minutes South
Longitude 149 degrees and 50 minutes East

Elevation
 0 - 100 metres above sea level

Subregions
 Nil

Introduction
 Wineries extend along the south coast of New South Wales. The majority have been planted since the early 1970's and all rely greatly on cellar-door sales to the tourist trade.

The southern coast of New South Wales is not a suitable place in which to grow grapes but it is an advantageous place in which to market wine.

Making small quantities of wine in isolated regions is not easy unless the winemaker has experience and technical knowledge. It is commonly acknowledged that the quality of wine made by the small boutique wineries of today is significantly better than that of 20 years ago.
Primary Grape Varieties
White
 Verdelho
Chardonnay
Semillon
Other
Red
 Shiraz
Cabernet Sauvignon
Chambourcin
Other
Primary Wine Styles

Chardonnay
The ever popular and flexible Chardonnay is the key grape planted all along the coast. It produces a pleasant medium body wine with delicately peachy fruit flavours and a soft finish. The quality potential was emphasised by the gold medal won by the 1991 Coolangatta Estate Chardonnay at the 1997 Canberra National Wine Show.

Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon
With suitable winery method, these wines are fresh, well balanced, and light to medium-bodied wines best while young.

Chambourcin
This French hybrid is planted because it is highly resistant to mildew and rot, and performs well in even the wettest summers. The vivacious colour and fresh plum fruit aroma and flavour of the wine are best enjoyed while young.