Yarra Valley Region

Location
 Zone - Port Phillip
State - Victoria

Map Reference
 Latitude 37 degrees and 45 minutes South
Longitude 145 degrees and 21 minutes East

Elevation
 50 - 400 metres above sea level

Subregions
 Nil

Introduction
 Until the 1990's the Yarra Valley was predominantly a small winery region, most producing wines in the super-premium category. It is Victoria's oldest vine growing area dating back to 1837, strongly supported by immigrants from Switzerland and Germany. By 1890 Yarra was at the height of its reputation, winning many international prizes for its wines, very popular in Melbourne, which was Australia's largest city at the time.

However by 1920 viticulture in the Yarra Valley, under Government pressure, gave way to dairy farming.

A rise in interest in Australian wine in 1960 brought about the revival of the wine industry in the Yarra Valley and today most of the 'big guns' in the Australian wine industry have either vineyards or a winery here.
Primary Grape Varieties
White
 Chardonnay 500 ha
Sauvignon Blanc 85 ha
Riesling 5 ha
Semillon 10 ha
Other 30 ha
Total White 640 ha
Red
 Pinot Noir 285 ha
Cabernet Sauvignon 205 ha
Shiraz 65 ha
Merlot 55 ha
Pinot Meunier 15 ha
Other 10 ha
Total Red 635 ha
Primary Wine Styles

Sauvignon Blanc
Like Shiraz, scarcely grown and with demand in excess of supply the desire of the wineries for Yarra Valley Sauvignon Blanc fruit remains strong.

Chardonnay
Over the past ten years both the quality and range of style has increased dramatically. There is a distinctive regional melon, fig and peach flavour, also a tremendous range in weight, texture and richness, to some extent reflecting vintage variation and also reflecting different winemaking beliefs and techniques.

Pinot Noir
Yarra Valley has achieved more with Pinot Noir than any other Australian wine region. The strawberry and plum spectrum of fruit flavours to be found in the Yarra Pinot is exciting as is its surprising length of flavour.

Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is usually blended with up to 20 per cent of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The wines are habitually graceful but can vary from light-bodied to full-bodied. The common feature is the softness of the tannins.

Shiraz
After a period of decline Shiraz is on the increase. Capable of producing intensely coloured and flavoured wines with a scent of black cherry, spice and pepper, but with those specific to Yarra fine, silky tannins.