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Yarra Valley is an official Geographical Indication of Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia. Comprising the upper valley surrounding the Yarra River, it is the oldest wine region in Victoria.
edit Tasting
The region is best known for its "cool climate" wines -- Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as sparkling wines. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz all grow well in the region, too. Its proximity to Melbourne -- about one hour by car -- makes it a hotspot for wine tourism and "grape grazing" (wine tasting).
The Yarra Valley Grape Grazing Festival stretches through mid-February -- the height of Australia's summer -- and features meals and wines at some of the area's best cellars. 2008's event happens from 9-18 February.
edit Facts and figures
Yarra Valley is the oldest wine-producing region in Victoria. Its 85 wineries cover 3800 hectares of land under vine. Its yearly output is about 19,000 metric tonnes of grapes, grossing around AU$20 million in sales. About 65% of grapes crushed are reds, with the rest white.
The area's importance as a wine tourism area can't be overstated. Estimates put the number of visitors to the region at 2.3 million in 2007, with an estimates $250 million in economic impact.
edit History
Grapes were first planted in the Yarra Valley in 1838, with the founding of Yering Station by the Ryrie brothers. With St Huberts Vineyard and Yeringberg created in 1860s, the area had a booming local and international business in the late 19th century. Yeringberg won a gold medal at the 1889 Universal Exhibition in Paris.
The Valley's first golden era ground to a painful standstill in the early 20th century. The phylloxera epidemic hit eastern Australia hard. Additionally, Australia's wine industry turned to "stickies" -- sweet and fortified wines -- and table wine production slowed precipitously.
The global depression of the 1930s -- not conducive to a luxury crop like wine, especially if it had to be shipped from the far point of the Southern Hemisphere -- was last nail of the coffin for Yarra Valley wine. By 1937, the last winery here was closed, and all vineyards had been converted to pastureland.
With its natural advantages, and the re-emergence of the Australian wine industry, the Yarra Valley wouldn't stay down for long. In 1963, the Wantirna Estate, the first of the "new generation" of YV wineries, was founded. Throughout the 60s and 70s, new wineries such as Yarra Yering, Mount Mary Vineyard and TarraWarra Estate were established in the region. Yeringberg and St Huberts Vineyard were re-opened, and outside labels like De Bortoli and Domaine Chandon put down a presence in the region.
By the 1990s, Yarra Valley was in the midst of a second boom. Forty new wineries were established in the decade, and wine tourism from nearby Melbourne became its own important industry. The area's first winery, Yering Station, was re-opened during this time, too -- nicely tying back to the valley's first golden era.
edit Geography
The Yarra Valley geographical indication extends east-northeast from downtown Melbourne, covering the upper valley of the Yarra River. Major towns in the area include Yarra Glen, Healesville, Yarra Junction, Lilydale, and St. Andrews. Marysville lies just outside the region to the north. The region is close to the ocean -- Port Philip Bay and Bass Strait are nearby -- which moderates temperatures, but it's sufficiently inland to avoid too much cooling.
As is typical with valley regions, the older wineries lie in lowlands near the river, with newer wineries on the valley bench. Elevation varies between 50m-400m above sea level. YV's oldest area is the south bank of the river, between Yarra Glen and Coldstream. North of the river, another newer group of wineries stretches from Yarra Glen through Healesville. A benchland farther from the river, near Seville, produces cooler-elevation wines.
The soil in the region is of two essential types: a well-drained, loamy sand on the northern end and near the river is low in fertility. The southern end, near Seville, has a rich volcanic red soil that stimulates heavy growth in the vine.
edit Climate
The Yarra Valley's principal characteristic is its cool temperatures relative to the rest of Australia. With a mean January daytime temperature of about 19C, it's a clear oasis for cool-climate grapes from the other scorching parts of the country.
It gets above 1000 mm (40 in) of rainfall per year, with about 550 mm (22 in) during the growing season. The growing season runs over seven months, with harvests from March to May.
edit Viniculture
YV distinguishes itself with its strong showing in cool-climate grapes. These are demanding vines that require considerable subtlety -- not something often associated with New World wines.
Pinot Noir is the most widely-planted red grape, and is the region's best-known product. The YV's Pinot is sometimes compared to good Burgundy.
Chardonnay is also a strong product from this area, with a wide variety of oaked and unoaked offerings.
The two leading grapes, of course, make a fine combination in sparkling wines. Domaine Chandon has had success in the region.
Cabernet Sauvignon is widely produced, but most vintners mix it with a Merlot or Cab Franc to produce smoothed-over, low-tannin blends.
Shiraz has a hard time growing in YV's cooler climates, although some good bottles are available from its wineries. Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion, although produced in small quantities, are highly regarded.
edit See also
- Yarra Valley Wines
- Grape Grazing Festival
- Yarra Valley on Wine Australia
- Yarra Valley on Wikitravel
- Yarra Valley on Wikipedia
