Geelong Region

Location
 Zone - Port Phillip
State - Victoria

Map Reference
 Latitude 38 degrees and 07 minutes South
Longitude 144 degrees and 22 minutes East

Elevation
 50 - 300 metres above sea level

Subregions
 Nil

Introduction
 It is surprising to learn that 130 years ago Geelong was the most important winemaking district in Victoria and possibly Australia. In 1861 there were 225 hectares under vine, and by the end of the decade 400 hectares. Being primarily established by Swiss vignerons drawn to Australia by the Swiss-born wife of the first governor of Victoria.

By 1875 the vineyards extended along each side of the valleys, a little later phylloxera was discovered. In a knee-jerk reaction the government ordered the eradication of the Geelong vineyards.

Six of the 21 existing wineries have been in operation since 1975, the first being replanted in 1966. Geelong today is not an easy place to grow grapes; spring frosts, wind during flowering and fruit set, generally hard soils and a insufficient rainfall all have an impact in one year or another somewhere in the district.

While some outstanding wines have been made in Geelong since its rebirth, the region has shown no sign whatsoever of regaining the glory it once had.
Primary Grape Varieties
White
 Chardonnay 105 ha
Riesling 20 ha
Sauvignon Blanc 15 ha
Pinot Gris 10 ha
Semillon 10 ha
Other 5 ha
Total White 165 ha
Red
 Pinot Noir 95 ha
Shiraz 45 ha
Cabernet Sauvignon 40 ha
Merlot 15 ha
Other 10 ha
Total Red 205 ha
Primary Wine Styles

Chardonnay
Has shown it can produce a wine of exceptional strength and complexity, developing a distinct Burgundian suggestion, but can also be made in a simpler and easily accessible form. As with Pinot Noir, some of the newer plantings are being used to produce a sparkling wine base.

Pinot Noir
The style of the wine produced is noticeably different, with traces of plums, tobacco, violets, strawberries and truffles appearing in the wines. Pinot Noir was a famous wine for the region in the last century, and it is on a smaller scale again today.

Shiraz
Geelong wines are known for their strength and depth of colour, bouquet and flavour. Almost all the wineries produce outstanding Shiraz that sometimes shows pepper or spice overtones, however more often relies on potent dark cherry fruit with persistent but balanced tannins providing structure and longevity.

Cabernet Sauvignon
The area is capable of producing concentrated, powerful and long-lived Cabernets, with intense blackcurrant and cassis characters. In all sites of the region, limited yields are of major importance in determining the style and intensity of the wine.