South West Victoria Wine Region - Melbourne

A remote region, where Karl Seppelt pioneered viticulture at Drumborg in 1964, and soon after the same steps were taken at Padthaway. Seppelt conceived Padthaway as a reliable, relatively warmer region for the production of full-bodied table wines, and Drumborg as a cool region for the production of sparkling and delicate, table wines. At various points along the way, Seppelt was on the verge of giving up on his vineyard as the yields were so poor, but the region endured and now has over 100 hectares of vineyards producing and produced an estimated 800 tonnes in 1997.

Types of Wine/Grapes

The region produces the three classic grape varieties of Champagne - specifically chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier - account for almost half the total plantings. The occasional Botrysis Riesling simply adds lustre to the overall performance of Riesling here: once again elegance and intensity combine to produce a win of exceptional quality. Well aged Cabernet Sauvignon are also produced here.

Climate/Geography

This is prime gently rolling, undulating agricultural country, is also one of the coolest of the wine growing regions of the Australian mainland. The amply number of sushine hours results in a growing regime not unlike that of the Canterbury Plains of the South Island of New Zealand.

For more information about the South West wine region visit:

www.visitvictoria.com/wineries