Geelong

The Geelong wine region, located about an hour southwest of Melbourne in Victoria, is one of Australia’s oldest wine areas, with original plantings dating back to the 1840s by Swiss settlers. Although the industry was wiped out by phylloxera in the late 1800s, a revival began in the 1960s and 70s, and today Geelong is known for producing cool-climate wines of depth and character, particularly Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Shiraz (Syrah). Its proximity to Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait provides maritime influences that moderate temperatures, while the diversity of subregions gives distinctive stylistic differences.

 

Key grape varieties grown

• Pinot Noir

  • Now the most important red grape in the region.

  • Styles range from delicate and perfumed to more structured and earthy, depending on subregion.

  • Known for bright red fruit, spice, and savoury complexity.

• Chardonnay

  • The leading white variety.

  • Produces elegant, mineral-driven wines with citrus, stone fruit, and balanced oak.

  • Often compared with Burgundy for its restraint and finesse.

• Shiraz (Syrah)

  • Historically the variety that put Geelong back on the map in the 1970s.

  • Cool-climate Shiraz shows pepper, spice, dark berry fruit, and savoury, medium-bodied structure.

  • Sometimes labelled Syrah to highlight its elegant, Rhône-like style.

• Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio

  • Increasingly planted and stylistically versatile (ranging from crisp and fresh to textured and complex).

Subregional diversity

The Geelong region is often divided into three key subzones, each with distinctive terroir and expression:

• Surf Coast (Torquay, Bellarine Peninsula coastal sites)

  • Maritime influence is strongest; wines tend to be lighter, fresher, with high acidity.

  • Chardonnay and Pinot Noir dominate.

• Bellarine Peninsula

  • Windswept, maritime, and relatively cool.

  • Pinot Noir and Chardonnay excel, along with sparkling wines.

  • Some Shiraz grown, showing spice and savoury characters.

• Moorabool Valley (northwest of Geelong)

  • Warmer and drier inland, with volcanic and limestone soils.

  • Produces more powerful Shiraz and Cabernet, alongside structured Chardonnay.

  • Known for fuller-bodied reds.

 

Major wineries 

Geelong has a mix of pioneering estates from the 1970s revival and newer boutique players:

• By Farr & Farr Rising

  • Perhaps the region’s most famous modern producer.

  • Acclaimed for site-driven Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, plus elegant Shiraz and Viognier blends.

  • Gary Farr (ex-Bannockburn, trained in Burgundy) and son Nick Farr are widely celebrated.

• Bannockburn Vineyards

  • Established in 1974, one of the earliest revival wineries.

  • Known for premium Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz, and Riesling.

  • Cult following for age-worthy, complex wines.

• Scotchmans Hill (Bellarine Peninsula)

  • A large but premium-focused estate.

  • Produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Shiraz; well-regarded nationally.

• Shadowfax Winery

  • Boutique winery near Werribee but sourcing from Geelong vineyards.

  • Known for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and experimental styles.

• Lethbridge Wines

  • Boutique, terroir-focused producer in Moorabool Valley.

  • Organic/biodynamic approach; acclaimed Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz, and Nebbiolo.

• Provenance Wines

  • Award-winning producer led by Scott Ireland.

  • Recognised for site-expressive Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.