Victoria

Wine-growing region (GI) in the federal state of Victoria in Australia, it is part of the Western Victoria zone, and is located 200 kilometres northwest of Melbourne. It was previously named Avoca, after the principal town. The name goes back to the Englishman Major Thomas Mitchell (1792-1855), who had served in the south of France, and claimed the rugged beauty of the mountain ranges, the luscious pasture and the meandering rivers reminded him of the Pyrenees in southern France. Viticulture came to the region with the gold rush, and has been a feature here since 1848. The vineyard area totals 600 hectares, located at altitudes of 200 to 400 metres above sea level. The climate is temperate and cool, the low average rainfall makes irrigation essential. The soils consist of deep gravel on a sub-soil of red sandstone, grey gravel mixed with sand and clay.Two thirds of the area is planted with the red varieties Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Petit Verdot, the remaining third is palnted with the white varieties Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. Sparkling wines are also produced here. Well-known wine producers include Blue Pyrenees, Dalwhinnie, Mount Avoca, Redbank, Summerfield, Taltarni and Warrenmang Vineyard.