Sunbury Wine Region - Melbourne

One of the closest (but possibly least well known) wine districts to Melbourne. Sunbury is located around 15 km drive from Tullamarine airport to the north of Melbourne. Although it used to be lumped in with the wineries of the Macedon region, in fact the area is very different in climate, terrain and consequently, in the types of wine produced. Sunbury can also lay claim to having some of the most historic wineries in the state, established in the mid-nineteenth century.

Types of Wine/Grapes

Shiraz is the leading grape variety grown in the region, even though only one winemaker grows it! But the wines produced are top-notch, with a good range of peppery-spice, black cherry fruit and fine medium-body. Pinot noir is grown around the region which also shows good berry fruit. Cabernet grapes are also popular in the region, with cabernet franc seeming to fare better in the cold climate that cabernet sauvignon. The best white grapes grown in the region are chardonnay grapes, which tend to produce fine, citrussy wines. Small batches of semillon are grown, which do better in the warmer drier years.

Climate/Geography

Its fairly flat terrain makes Sunbury a chilly region, with its plains vulnerable to cold north winds, often severe frosts and limited rainfall. As might be expected, irrigation is necessary in most sites. Soils are dark and fairly unfertile, varying in depth and structure between the lower plains and hillside vineyards.

For tourist information about the Sunbury wine region visit:

www.visitvictoria.com/wineries