King Valley Wine Region

The King Valley Wine Region in North Eastern Victoria is a treasure trove of varietal wines. This region spearheaded the movement introducing Italian varieties into Australia.

Varieties Grown in the King Valley

Many producers who formerly sent all of their grapes to the large wineries, both within the region and elsewhere, are now producing wine on their own account.

A range of microclimates is available from the slightly warmer valley floors to the bracingly cool upper slopes. Thus there is a wide range of varietal wines produced. Visitors to this region have no excuse if they restrict their tasting to traditional varieties and styles.

The climate of the region is heavily influenced by altitude. At the southern end higher altitudes and cooler climate makes for a different sub-region, but attempts to get formal recognition of a sub-region have so far failed.

So the higher southern end of the King Valley is suitable only for early ripening varieties, here you will find Riesling, the Pinots Gris, Meunier and Noir.  As you travel down the valley into warmer areas you will find a full range of red and white wine varieties grown.

The varietal profile of the vines grown in the King Valley have an Italian bias, reflecting the region's history. For many years this area was a tobacco growing area. Many of the tobacco farmers were of Italian origin. From the late 1970's favourable government policies and subsidies to the tobacco industry were phased out. Alternative crops were needed so the area under grapes has steadily expanded.

Several wineries in this region deserve special mentions.

Brown Brothers is one of the largest family owned wine producers in the country. For decades they have had an extensive program of trailing new varieties. Many have graduated through from being Cellar Door Release only to full commercial release. Some of these varieties are grown at company vineyards in other regions, notably at Mystic Park near Swan Hill and at Heathcote.

Dal Zotto have been the pioneers and champions of Prosecco in the region and in Australia generally.

One small winery of note in the region is Symphonia. This winery and its vineyards were owned by Peter Read who pioneered a number of non- Italian varieties in the region, in particular Petit Manseng and Saperavi. 

View over the King Valley from Gracebrook Vineyards

See what some winemakers say about the King valley

Alternative varieties in the King Valley

• Bande Apart Aligote, Gamay
• Brown Brothers Albarino, Cienna, Crouchen, Dolcetto, Durif, Fiano, Flora, Graciano, Malbec, Mondeuse, Montepulciano, Orange Muscat, Prosecco, Tarrango, Tempranillo
• Cavedon Wines Albarino, Prosecco
• Chrismont Aglianico, Arneis, Barbera, Fiano, Fragola, Marzemino, Nero d'Avola, Petit Manseng, Prosecco, Sagrantino, Sangiovese, Savagnin, Tempranillo
• Ciavarella Aucerot, Dolcetto, Durif, Graciano, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Zinfandel
• Dal Zotto Estate Arneis, Barbera, Fiano, Garganega, Nebbiolo, Pinot Blanc, Prosecco, Sangiovese
• Darling Estate Aligote, Chenin Blanc, Gamay, Garganega, Petit Verdot, Pinot Blanc, Nebbiolo, Sylvaner
• Eddie McDougal Wines Prosecco, Sangiovese
• Eminence Meunier
• Flying Duck Estate Durif, Zinfandel
• Gracebrook Vineyards Cabernet Franc, Dolcetto, Grechetto, Montepulciano, Moscato Giallo, Sagrantino, Sangiovese, Savagnin
• High Country Tempranillo
• John Gehrig Wines Chenin Blanc, Durif, Gamay, Lagrein, Meunier
• King River Estate Barbera, Lagrein, Sagrantino, Saperavi, Sangiovese, Vermentino
• La Cantina Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Saperavi, Tempranillo
• Merkel Barbera, Gewurztraminer, Nebbiolo, Prosecco, Roussanne
• Pizzini Wines Arneis, Brachetto, Canaiolo, Colorino, Friulano, Nebbiolo, Picolit, Prosecco, Sagrantino, Sangiovese, Teroldego, Verdicchio, Verduzzo
• Politini Grecanico, Nero d'Avola, Sangiovese, Vermentino
• Range Life Garganega, Prosecco, Sangiovese
• Red Feet Montepulciano, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Zinfandel
• Redbank Victoria Fiano, Garganega, Moscato,
• Sam Miranda Wines Arneis, Barbera, Dolcetto, Durif, Gruner Veltliner, Moscato, Nebbiolo, Petit Verdot, Prosecco, Sangiovese, Tannat, Tempranillo, Verduzzo
• Symphonia Arneis, Dolcetto, Meunier, Petit Manseng, Saperavi, Savagnin, Tannat, Tempranillo
• Terrason Aligote, Gamay
• Wood Park Roussanne, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Zinfandel

Visiting the king valley

The King Valley is one of Australia's most beautiful destinations for a wine tour.

It can be reached from Melbourne in under three hours by car. It is also possible to make a detour through the region on trips between Melbourne and Sydney.

The tourism infrastructure is well developed. The region lies astride the Snow Road which carries traffic to the nearby winter resorts. There is an emphasis on the production and sale of high quality gourmet foods, most notably Milawa Cheeses and mustards.

This wine region is one of great scenic beauty. The landscape is dominated by the mountains of the Great Dividing Range. Victoria's major snowfields are in this area. Much of the higher country is protected by National Parks. The valleys have rich soils and a favourable climate suitable for a variety of agricultural uses including viticulture.

If you are making an extended visit to this region, which is highly recommended, you will find many accommodation and restaurant options in some of the wineries and in the nearby towns of Wangaratta, Milawa, Beechworth and Myrtleford.

You can also visit the neighbouring wine regions of Beechworth, Glenrowan, Rutherglen  and Alpine Valleys

Want to learn More About Australian Wine regions?

De Long's Wine Map of Australia

Now available in Digital Format

Victorian wineries on Pinterest

I have a Pinboard showing some of the wineries in Victoria who use alternative varieties.