Goulburn Valley wine region

Goulburn Valley wine region is a wine region in the state of Victoria in Australia. It is part of the Central Victoria zone and roughly corresponds to the Goulburn Valley tourist and government region.

Goulburn Valley wine region

Wine region
Official name	Goulburn Valley
Type	Australian Geographical Indication
Year established	1999
Country	Australia
Part of	Central Victoria
Sub-regions	Nagambie Lakes
Varietals produced	Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Marsanne, Riesling, Shiraz[1]

The first vineyards and winery were established in the Goulburn Valley in 1860. Tahbilk was the original winery, and still produces some wine from vines planted in the 1860s. The Australian Geographical Indication "Goulburn Valley" has been protected since 29 November 1999.[1]

Tahbilk was founded by a syndicate which raised £25,000 to develop the winery. By 1875 trade with England had been established, and the winery was producing the equivalent of 70,000 cases of wine per year. Due to the sandy soil, Tahbilk was able to withstand the spread of Phylloxera, and in 1925 was the only winery in the area.[2] As a result, the region is home to the oldest and largest plantings of Marsanne grape variety in the world. Other wine varieties grown include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and Shiraz.[1] As well as Tahbilk, other major wineries include Michelton between Seymour and Nagambie, Wine by Sam, Fowles Wines and boutique vinyards Box Grove and Brave Goose vineyard in the south near Seymour and Monichino near Katunga in the north.[1] Nagambie Lakes is a recognised and protected subregion of the Goulburn Valley wine region.[3]

Each year Tastes of the Goulburn food and wine festival is hosted in Seymour, showcasing the best local produce from the Goulburn Valley.[4] Seymour also hosts the Victorian Wine Show.[5]

Tastes of the Goulburn Food and Wine festival, held in Seymour annually in October

Geography

The Goulburn Valley wine region contains one recognised subregion. The Nagambie Lakes subregion surrounds the town of Nagambie and the artificial Lake Nagambie.[6]

Goulburn Valley wine region is roughly triangular. The northern boundary is the Murray River between Echuca to Yarrawonga, including both towns. Shepparton is near the middle of the region, and the southern point is south of Seymour.[7]

References

1. "Goulburn Valley". Discover Australian Wine. Wine Australia, Australian Grape and Wine Authority. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
2. Halliday, James. "Regional Profile - Goulburn Valley". Winepros. eWine Exchange Ltd. Archived from the original on 31 December 2006. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
3. "Geographical indications". Register of Protected GIs and Other Terms. Wine Australia, Australian Grape and Wine Authority. 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
4. "Tastes of the Goulburn". Retrieved 12 September 2017.
5. "Victorian Wine Show". Retrieved 12 September 2017.
6. "Geographical indications". Wine Australia, Australian Grape and Wine Authority. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
7. "Goulburn Valley Geographical Indication". Register of Protected GIs and Other Terms. Wine Australia, Australian Grape and Wine Authority. Retrieved 13 September 2017.