The Yarra Valley, a small but beautiful area located east of Melbourne is fast becoming a tourist haven for wine lovers from around the world. You can choose from many
Yarra Valley accommodation packages to suit any budget, so be sure to plan far enough in advance to take advantage of the cellar door delights that await you.
A famous winemaking region which reached a peak in the 1800s, the Valley was devastated by phylloxera disease in the early 1900s. Most of the Vineyards were burnt as a preventative measure and it was not until the last 40 years or so that the region finally recovered. Today, the area is revered as a producer of many fine wines worthy of your visit.
There are literally dozens of Vineyards in the area and it is impossible to recommend with any precision but let's take a look at four Vineyards that will give you a good cross-section of the winemaking capabilities of this area of Victoria.
Badger's Brook Estate. A recent addition to the winegrowing region this vineyard was established in 1993 after being planted in 1989 and specialises in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz. A small modern Vineyard, a visit to Badger's Brook will give you an insight into the modern developments that are still occurring throughout this region.
Sticks. This outstanding Vineyard has won many awards over the past 10 years and is a fine example of the varietals produced in this exclusive area of Victoria. Named after the lanky founder, Robert Dolan, a tall footballer from Port Adelaide in South Australia, this is another fine example of the exuberant winegrowing region with modern production techniques across a broad selection of varietal styles.
Warramate. These Vineyards were first planted in 1969 and have developed into a premium winegrowing name associated with high quality Riesling Cabernet Merlot and Shiraz varietals. A lot of the wines are the result of cooperative efforts from many wine families in the region and is a testament to the durability and resilience of winegrowers who have done it tough over the years. Receiving outstanding reviews from a number of wine critics this venue continues to evolve into a quintessential Yarra Valley producer.
Yering Farm. Touted as one of the best kept secrets in the Yarra Valley, Yering farm has won medals for almost every one of its wines at some stage during its history. Established in the 1800s and resurrected by descendants of the same family in 1980, this winery prides itself on utilising only the finest grapes on its 14 ha planting. As well is enjoying the wine you can walk around the Vineyard and admire the remains of the old silos from bygone times. This is truly a walk back in history and is a pleasure to behold.
There are a lot of
accommodation packages to choose from when you decide to visit this area of Victoria so make sure you plan far enough in advance and give yourself plenty of time to visit each of these splendid wineries.
