Heathcote wine region
Encyclopedia
The Heathcote Wine Region of Victoria
, Australia
, is nestled between the Goulburn Valley
and Bendigo
regions. The region is famous as for its Shiraz production.
the region is at elevations between 160 and 380 m (524.9 and 1,246.7 ft). The climate and soils are strongly influenced by the Mt Camel range that extends from Corop
to Tooborac
. For the most part, the soil under vine is Cambrian
- red and deep with excellent water holding capacity. As a consequence some vignerons do not irrigate
and aim for smaller fruit intensely rich in flavour. The region’s rainfall is evenly distributed between the seasons and the temperature range is defined as temperate, with cooling winds emanating from the south resulting in summer temperatures two to three degrees cooler than nearby Bendigo.
cuttings were originally sourced for Australia's Syrah/Shiraz vineyards. It is home to some flagship winemaker
s who have achieved international fame for their representations of Australian Shiraz.
The oldest Shiraz vines on the Cambrian soil where planted by Albino Zuber in the late 1960s on a site that has now been acquired by Shadowfax Winery.
Other notable wines of the Heathcote region include Wild Duck Creek Estate - the home of Duck Muck. Jasper Hill - an organic grower producing fruit for its wines and Paul Osicka Wines - one of the longer established wine producers in the Heathcote wine region. However, other wines have emerged to confirm that the region as a major producer of high-end Shiraz. The area also produces white wines such as Riesling
and Viognier
to name but two varieties.
Although Heathcote is regarded on par with other notable red wine regions in Australia, the scarcity of its wines has left the district in relative obscurity. Its wines are perceived as exclusive, in part because of the difficulty in obtaining them. This is changing with new plantings and new wineries coming on stream and more boutique Heathcote winemakers preparing to supply the domestic and global markets.
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, is nestled between the Goulburn Valley
Goulburn Valley
The Goulburn Valley is a region of Victoria, Australia. The region consists of those areas in the catchment of the Goulburn River and other nearby streams, and is part of the Murray-Darling Basin. The Goulburn Valley is bordered on the south by the Great Dividing Range and to the north by the...
and Bendigo
Bendigo, Victoria
Bendigo is a major regional city in the state of Victoria, Australia, located very close to the geographical centre of the state and approximately north west of the state capital Melbourne. It is the second largest inland city and fourth most populous city in the state. The estimated urban...
regions. The region is famous as for its Shiraz production.
Geography
North of the Great Dividing RangeGreat Dividing Range
The Great Dividing Range, or the Eastern Highlands, is Australia's most substantial mountain range and the third longest in the world. The range stretches more than 3,500 km from Dauan Island off the northeastern tip of Queensland, running the entire length of the eastern coastline through...
the region is at elevations between 160 and 380 m (524.9 and 1,246.7 ft). The climate and soils are strongly influenced by the Mt Camel range that extends from Corop
Corop, Victoria
Corop is a town in the Goulburn Valley region of Victoria, Australia. The town is in the Shire of Campaspe and on the Midland Highway, north of the state capital, Melbourne...
to Tooborac
Tooborac, Victoria
Tooborac is a town in Victoria, Australia. The town is located north of the state capital, Melbourne. At the 2006 census, Tooborac and the surrounding area had a population of 277.Tooborac Post Office opened on 1 January 1872....
. For the most part, the soil under vine is Cambrian
Cambrian
The Cambrian is the first geological period of the Paleozoic Era, lasting from Mya ; it is succeeded by the Ordovician. Its subdivisions, and indeed its base, are somewhat in flux. The period was established by Adam Sedgwick, who named it after Cambria, the Latin name for Wales, where Britain's...
- red and deep with excellent water holding capacity. As a consequence some vignerons do not irrigate
Irrigation
Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall...
and aim for smaller fruit intensely rich in flavour. The region’s rainfall is evenly distributed between the seasons and the temperature range is defined as temperate, with cooling winds emanating from the south resulting in summer temperatures two to three degrees cooler than nearby Bendigo.
Wines
Heathcote is recognised as a producer of high-end Shiraz wines, even rivaling those of the Rhone Valley from where the Syrah vineVine
A vine in the narrowest sense is the grapevine , but more generally it can refer to any plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent, that is to say climbing, stems or runners...
cuttings were originally sourced for Australia's Syrah/Shiraz vineyards. It is home to some flagship winemaker
Winemaker
A winemaker or vintner is a person engaged in winemaking. They are generally employed by wineries or wine companies, where their work includes:*Cooperating with viticulturists...
s who have achieved international fame for their representations of Australian Shiraz.
The oldest Shiraz vines on the Cambrian soil where planted by Albino Zuber in the late 1960s on a site that has now been acquired by Shadowfax Winery.
Other notable wines of the Heathcote region include Wild Duck Creek Estate - the home of Duck Muck. Jasper Hill - an organic grower producing fruit for its wines and Paul Osicka Wines - one of the longer established wine producers in the Heathcote wine region. However, other wines have emerged to confirm that the region as a major producer of high-end Shiraz. The area also produces white wines such as Riesling
Riesling
Riesling is a white grape variety which originated in the Rhine region of Germany. Riesling is an aromatic grape variety displaying flowery, almost perfumed, aromas as well as high acidity. It is used to make dry, semi-sweet, sweet and sparkling white wines. Riesling wines are usually varietally...
and Viognier
Viognier
Viognier is a white wine grape. It is the only permitted grape for the French wine Condrieu in the Rhone valley.-History:The origin of the Viognier grape is unknown. Viognier is presumed to be an ancient grape, possibly originating in Dalmatia and then brought to Rhône by the Romans. One legend...
to name but two varieties.
Although Heathcote is regarded on par with other notable red wine regions in Australia, the scarcity of its wines has left the district in relative obscurity. Its wines are perceived as exclusive, in part because of the difficulty in obtaining them. This is changing with new plantings and new wineries coming on stream and more boutique Heathcote winemakers preparing to supply the domestic and global markets.