The Ballarat Wine Region - Melbourne

During the Gold Rush of the 1850s Ballarat was deemed to be one of the most affluent cities on the world and its imposing Victorian architecture, wide streets and beautiful gardens remain. Ballarat's modern wine history began with the planting of Yellowglen in the 1970s. While too cold for the proposed Shiraz and Cabernet, the area proved ideal for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and Yellowglen soon became one of the country's top sparkling labels.

Types of Wine/Grapes

The Chardonnay, clearly being the best suited white variety,  is dictated in terms of its style, crispness and flavour by the cool climate. Pinot noir in the region was previously dire4cted to sparkling wine, more is now being used to make table wine. While the district as a whole does not favour shiraz and cabernet sauvignon, the Mt Beckworth Vineyards are slightly warmer, and produce a powerful Shiraz, and a pungent leafy/mulberry Cabernet Merlot.

Climate/Geography

Ballarat is infamous for being one of the coolest parts of the State both in summer and winter, only Drumborg and Macedon are as cool. The saving grace is a relatively high number of sunshine hours.

For more information about the Ballarat wine region visit:

www.visitvictoria.com/wineries