New South Wales

Most northerly wine-growing region (GI) in the federal state of New South Wales in Australia, it i spart of the Northern Rivers zone. The principal town is Port Macquarie. The first vines were planted here in 1837. Viticulture disappeared completely in the depression of the 1930’s, and was only revived again in 1980 by John Cassegrain. The climate is humid and relatively warm with adequate summer rainfall, so that no irrigation is required, unlike most of the wine-growing regions in Australia. The vineyard area totals around 200 hectares. The most widely planted red variety is Chambourcin, favoured for its resistance to rot, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. The most important white varieties are Chardonnay, Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. The most important and indeed dominating winery is Cassegrain.