New South Wales
Australia’s 2nd largest wine producing region, now producing only 15% less than South Australia, with over 45,000ha under vine. In terms of quality it is best known for the historic Hunter Valley, the birthplace of the Australian wine industry, but also produces vast quantities of more standard quality wine across a number of sub regions.
New South Wales Wine Regions
See our full guide to the wines of Hunter valley.
Riverina and the Big Rivers – the bread basket of New South Wales, and situated on flatlands inland and south west of Sydney, along the rivers Murray and Darling; it taps into the Murrumbidgee irrigation system and produces the largest quantity of wine in the region,almost 75% of total production, across the majority of grape varieties, but its hot, interior climate also helps produce some top quality sweet botrytis wines from the Semillon grape.
Central Valleys – the Mudgee and Cowra regions, lying inland , west of Sydney, are rapidly expanding areas, and whilst the Chardonnay, Shiraz, Semillon and Cabernet Sauvignon all dominate, in this hot climate, producers are now seeking out cooler plots on which to grow. Viognier is becoming very successful in this area.