Geelong, Victoria

Overview

Hand-crafted with passion and dedication, Geelong's elegant wines are the expression of a cool climate, rich soils and a unique history.

The Big Picture

The Geelong region has two histories. Victoria’s first commercial vintage was produced here by Swiss immigrant vignerons in 1845. However, from the 1870s, when phylloxera was discovered in some vines, there was a winemaking hiatus of nearly 100 years. Today, the region is again home to many boutique, family-owned vineyards, creating world-class varietal wines.

Low rainfall produces a rich concentration of flavour, aroma and colour – the distinctive regional characters of Geelong wines. It’s also a diverse region, with plenty of geographical "latitude". From the maritime breeze of the Bellarine to the dark volcanic topsoils of Moorabool and dry, rocky outcrops at Anakie, subregional nuances add complexity to the wines.

Common to the region is a natural passion for producing wine, by virtue of premium conditions and a diverse landscape, not to mention the unique people who are compelled to make their wine here.

Geelong Wine Region

Climate

The region’s climate is cool, providing an extended ripening period. The majority of the area is strongly influenced by the moderating effect of the surrounding water of Port Philip Bay or Bass Strait. Pushing up into the northern part of the region the climate is less maritime and more Continental. Elevations are from the coast to approximately 400m above sea level. The region is fairly dry, with average rainfall between 500 ml and 600 ml per annum; the majority falls in winter and spring. Strong winds are a constant, providing good airflow within the canopy, which assists in the natural control of various vine diseases. The mean average January temperature is 19 degrees.

Soil

The principal soil type is the commonly encountered red-brown clay loam over a hard clay base. The subsoil varies in pH; in part it is strongly alkaline, owing to the presence of limestone, while elsewhere it is more acidic. A second soil type is also found, that of Biscay; black cracking clay, which forms a finely cracked surface crust.

Wines

Chardonnay: If the area under vine in Geelong is to substantially increase, Chardonnay will no doubt be one of the major contributors. It has shown it can produce a wine of exceptional strength and complexity, developing pronounced Burgundian overtones with age. It can also be made in a simpler and more easily accessible form on the Bellarine Peninsula. As with Pinot Noir, some of the newer plantings are being used to produce a sparkling wine base, and this is likely to continue.

Cabernet Sauvignon: The area is capable of producing concentrated, powerful and long-lived Cabernets with, at their best, intense black currant characteristics and less desirable, herbaceous ones at some sites in the cooler, wetter years. At all sites, limited yields are of prime importance in shaping the style and intensity of the wine.

Pinot Noir: During the last century, Pinot Noir was a famous wine for the region, and it is so again. Its producers carry disproportionate weight in the region, due in no small measure to the clarity of varietal expression and the sheer quality of the wine made from this most capricious of grapes. The styles of the wine are predictably very different, reflecting differing winemaking techniques and philosophies. One does not need flights of fancy to find plums, tobacco, violets, strawberries and truffles appearing, though not necessarily at the one time.

Shiraz: Geelong Shiraz wines, in favourable years, have strength, depth of colour, bouquet and flavour. Almost all wineries produce striking Shiraz. They sometimes show pepper and spice overtones but more often than not rely on potent dark cherry fruit with persistent though balanced tannins providing structure and longevity.

Vital Statistics

A Case In Point: Richard & Pam Austin, SixFootSix, Geelong, Victoria

For 25 years the Austins has worked towards producing world-class wine. Starting with a few acres in the Barrabool Hills in the early 1980s, Richard and Pam settled at Sutherlands Creek, northwest of Geelong, continuing the tie to the glories of the region's viticultural past. The site was chosen because of that history, the climate, the slopes, the soil and the Austins' philosophy; to produce the world's best, affordable Pinot Noir.

"Our vineyard stands at 150 acres, 90 of which are Pinot Noir, in line with the family's determination," Richard says. "We believe this to be the second largest family holding of the variety in Australia.

"In 2003, we launched sixfootsix Pinot Noir. Over successive vintages, wine commentators defined the style as a benchmark for the variety, one even commenting: 'There's more than a whiff of good (much pricier) Burgundy in this exceptional-value Geelong Pinot Noir...'.  We have also had some international success in the UK, Scandinavia and Europe, Asia and North America.

"After a quarter century of effort, we believe we've achieved our goal and continue to tend the vines with passion and commitment while thinking about planting more Pinot Noir!"

Summary

In terms of ripening temperatures and sunshine hours, this open and strongly maritime-influenced region has a climate approximating that of Bordeaux and Burgundy. The long, cool and usually dry autumn means that Chardonnay and Pinot Noir achieve optimum ripeness almost every year. Yields are low to moderate, with both wind and lack of rainfall inhibiting vigour, particularly on the more exposed slopes and hardened soils.

Acknowledgements

Victorian Wine Industry Association

Wineries, Cellar Doors & Vineyards

Amietta Vineyard and Winery, Austin’s Barrabool, Bannockburn Vineyards, Barwon Ridge Wines, Bellarine Estate, Bellbrae Estate, By Farr, Clyde Park Vineyard, Curlewis Winery, del Rios of Mt Anakie, Innisfail Vineyards, Jindalee Estate, Kilgour Estate, Le’mins Winery, Lethbridge Wines, Leura Park Estate, Mermerus, McAdams Lane Pty Ltd,  The Minya Vineyard and Winery, Baie Wines, Oakdene Vineyards, Pettavel, Prince Albert Vineyard, Provenance Wines, Ponda Estate Vineyard, Scotchmans Hill, Shadowfax, Spence, Staughton Vale Vineyard, Tarcoola Estate Vineyard, Terindah Estate and Waybourne.

If you would like to have your winery included in this list, please email awbc@awbc.com.au.