Riverland Region

Location
 Zone - Lower Murray
State - South Australia

Map Reference
 Latitude 34 degrees and 27 minutes South
Longitude 140 degrees and 36 minutes East

Elevation
 50 - 150 metres above sea level

Subregions
 Nil

Introduction
 In 1887 Californian George Chaffey selected Renmark on the west bank of the Murray as the site for the commencement of irrigation in South Australia. In 1893 the Renmark Irrigation Trust took over responsibility for the area, and for maintaining irrigation. The Trust has since been responsible both for the town of Renmark and for 4,800 hectares of orchards and vineyards in the district.

The Riverland has always been recognised as the heart of the Australian wine industry. The region produces some 55 percent of all of South Australia's grapes and that equals to 20 percent of Australia's grape production.

Recent increase in grape quality has been achieved by better viticultural technique including trellising and canopy management, enhanced water usage by introducing drip irrigation and superior grape varieties selection.
Primary Grape Varieties
White
 Chardonnay 2510 ha
Muscat Gordo Blanco 1380 ha
Colombard 555 ha
Riesling 490 ha
Semillon 335 ha
Chenin Blanc 245 ha
Sauvignon Blanc 190 ha
Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc 90 ha
Other 2100 ha
Total White 7895 ha
Red
 Shiraz 4560 ha
Cabernet Sauvignon 3315 ha
Grenache 780 ha
Merlot 745 ha
Ruby Cabernet 605 ha
Other 1280 ha
Total Red 11 285 ha
Primary Wine Styles

Chardonnay
Chardonnay attests itself to be amazingly supple. Large yields that are fermented in gigantic stainless steel fermenters with and without oak chips produce pleasant wine that sells at a very low price. However, closely controlled viticulture, followed by barrel fermentation, can produce wines of gold medal or even trophy quality.

Shiraz
Limiting the crop is quite critical with Shiraz. A low crop in the Riverland is still large when comparing with other regions in Australia and the best wines are soft and round that are best consumed while young.

Mourvedre and Grenache
There are significant areas with vines over 80 years old. Many of these are Grenache and Mourvedre which until recently were used in cask reds and fortified. Fruit from these old vines, often blended with Shiraz is now used to produce medium body spicy red wines, which demonstrate the sunny, fruit-driven Australian style wine.