Yarra Valley

The Yarra Valley in Victoria is one of Australia’s most prestigious and diverse cool-climate wine regions. Located just an hour northeast of Melbourne, it is also one of the country’s oldest wine regions, with plantings dating back to the 1830s. After a period of decline in the early 20th century, the modern revival began in the 1960s and 1970s, and today the Yarra Valley is renowned for elegant Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wines, as well as outstanding cool-climate Shiraz (often labelled Syrah) and Cabernet Sauvignon.

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Key grape varieties grown

• Chardonnay

  • Flagship white variety, ranging from crisp, mineral-driven styles to complex barrel-aged examples.

  • Modern Yarra Chardonnay emphasises purity, citrus, stone fruit, and balanced oak.

  • Highly regarded, often benchmarked against Burgundy.

• Pinot Noir

  • The region’s signature red grape.

  • Produces delicate, aromatic wines with red cherry, strawberry, floral, and earthy notes.

  • Styles vary from light and elegant to more structured, depending on vineyard site and winemaking.

• Sparkling wine

  • Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are used extensively for traditional method sparkling wines.

  • The cool climate provides excellent acidity and finesse.

• Shiraz (Syrah)

  • Distinctly cooler-climate style compared to Barossa or McLaren Vale.

  • Elegant, spicy, medium-bodied, with black pepper and savoury complexity.

  • Often likened to Northern Rhône Syrah.

• Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Historically the leading red before Pinot Noir took centre stage.

  • Produces elegant, medium-bodied styles with cassis, tobacco, and fine tannins.

  • Age-worthy examples remain highly respected.

• Other varieties

  • Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris are widely grown for fresh, aromatic whites.

  • Smaller plantings of Gamay, Nebbiolo, and Arneis reflect experimentation and diversity.

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Major wineries 

The Yarra Valley has an exceptional mix of pioneering estates, family-run boutique wineries, and internationally recognised names:

• Yarra Yering

  • Founded in 1969 by Dr. Bailey Carrodus, one of the modern pioneers.

  • Legendary for Dry Red Wine No. 1 (Cabernet blend) and No. 2 (Shiraz-based blend).

  • Consistently rated among Australia’s greatest wineries.

• Mount Mary Vineyard

  • Established in 1971, known for Bordeaux-style blends, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.

  • Extremely limited production and cult following.

• Coldstream Hills

  • Founded by wine writer James Halliday in 1985.

  • Known for elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

• Giant Steps

  • Boutique producer focused on single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

  • Acclaimed for precision and site expression.

• Oakridge Wines

  • Known for outstanding Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

  • Winemaker David Bicknell has elevated Oakridge to critical acclaim.

• Domaine Chandon (Moët Hennessy)

  • Established in 1986 by Moët & Chandon.

  • Produces some of Australia’s finest traditional-method sparkling wines.

• Mac Forbes Wines

  • Boutique producer celebrated for terroir-driven Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

  • Focus on minimal intervention and vineyard expression.

• Seville Estate

  • Award-winning pioneer (first planted in 1972).

  • Renowned for Shiraz, Chardonnay, and Cabernet blends.