Beechworth

The Beechworth wine region, located in northeast Victoria at the foothills of the Victorian Alps, is a small but highly regarded cool-climate region. Despite its boutique scale (fewer than 20 wineries with around 150 hectares under vine), Beechworth has developed a reputation for premium, hand-crafted wines that punch well above their size in terms of critical acclaim. The region’s success lies in its granite soils, high elevations (300–600m), and cool nights, which produce wines of structure, elegance, and age-worthiness.

 

Key grape varieties grown

• Chardonnay

  • Beechworth’s signature variety.

  • Produces world-class examples, combining richness and minerality.

  • Often barrel-fermented with judicious oak, yielding wines with stone fruit, citrus, struck flint, and long ageing potential.

• Pinot Noir

  • Grown in higher, cooler sites.

  • Styles are elegant and perfumed with red cherry, spice, and fine tannins.

• Shiraz

  • Produces medium to full-bodied styles, more restrained than warmer Victorian regions.

  • Dark fruit, spice, and pepper balanced by freshness and structure.

• Sangiovese

  • Successful in Beechworth’s climate, producing savoury, medium-bodied reds with cherry and herbal notes.

• Cabernet Sauvignon & blends

  • Less common but produce structured, firm wines with cassis and herbal lift.

• Other varieties

  • Nebbiolo — niche but respected, offering perfumed, tannic wines.

  • Riesling — delicate, citrus-driven, and age-worthy.

  • Marsanne & Roussanne — Rhône whites producing textural, aromatic wines.

 

Major wineries

Beechworth is home to boutique, artisanal producers, many of whom have cult reputations and limited production. The region’s wines are often highly sought after by collectors.

• Giaconda

  • Founded by Rick Kinzbrunner in 1982.

  • Produces some of Australia’s most acclaimed wines, particularly Giaconda Chardonnay, often ranked among the world’s best.

  • Also makes highly regarded Pinot Noir, Shiraz, and Nebbiolo.

  • Very limited production, cult status.

• Castagna

  • Biodynamic estate founded by Julian Castagna.

  • Known for elegant Syrah and Sangiovese, often blended.

  • Strong Rhône and Italian influence, with a philosophy of terroir-driven, natural winemaking.

• Savaterre

  • Founded by Keppell Smith.

  • Specialises in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of great finesse.

  • Highly regarded for texture and minerality.

• Pennyweight Winery

  • Family-owned, producing organic wines.

  • Known for fortifieds as well as dry table wines.

• Sorrenberg

  • Tiny biodynamic vineyard, making cult Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blends, and Gamay.

  • Very limited releases, often snapped up on release.

• Fighting Gully Road

  • Founded by Mark Walpole, a leader in cool-climate viticulture.

  • Produces Sangiovese, Shiraz, and classic whites with precision and restraint.

• Indigo Vineyard

  • Larger producer relative to others in Beechworth.

  • Wide range of wines, including Chardonnay, Shiraz, and Cabernet.

  • Supplies fruit to leading winemakers across Victoria.