Victoria is home to 21 distinct wine regions, with four being considered close enough to Melbourne to be accessible by day trip. These 21 regions are the most any Aussie state has to offer, with the same being said for wineries and microclimates. Quality and quantity are matched in wine regions around Melbourne, with some producing international award-winners that grace wine lists across the world.
Yarra Valley
The Yarra Valley wine region is found east of Melbourne, about a one-and-a-half-hour drive, and is one of the largest Victorian wine regions, vineyards making up 2837 hectares of land. This region is also one of the oldest, credited as the kick starter for Victoria’s wine industry in 1838. The Yarra Valley is highly regarded worldwide for their cool-climate wines, especially being one of Australia’s coolest wine regions with lower mean temperatures throughout the summer. Chardonnay, pinot noir, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon are to be expected, with the latter two varietals much different from the typical drops coming from warmer climate wineries across Australia. There are 70 wineries to choose from here, so a tour is the way to go to make the most of a visit. If choosing spots for a tour, we wouldn’t miss De Bortoli, a sustainable winery intent on being zero waste, and is well on their way there. Hubert Estate is another great one, only an hour and 15 minutes from Melbourne, containing an on-site art gallery showcasing Indigenous art.
Mornington Peninsula
An hour south of Melbourne is the Mornington Peninsula wine region, a maritime climate region where most wineries are found close to the coast. Over 50 cellar doors can be found here, producing varietals like chardonnay, and their famous pinots, both gris and noir. The pinot noir in particular is celebrated, as the Peninsula’s climate allows for a slow ripening for a rounded flavour. A tour here would be the way to go about it, but you should shake things up with a horseback tour through the region so you can appreciate the gorgeous environment alongside the grapes.
Geelong
The Geelong wine region dates back to the 1880s, when it was the largest grape-growing region in Victoria. After a 100-year hiatus, there are now over 40 cellar doors to visit producing some internationally regarded cool-climate wines. The low rainfall of this region compared to other Victorian regions, combined with strong winds and the moderating surrounding water of Port Phillip Bay and the Bass Strait produces rich flavours and colours that you won’t get elsewhere. Chardonnay and pinot noir are famous here, and with three sub-regions, it’ll be a feat to visit them all to taste the subtleties of each. Just over an hour from Melbourne, you can day trip a few times to get the best taste of them all, or simply staycation on-site at a cellar door.
Macedon Ranges
Less than an hour from Melbourne is the Macedon Ranges wine region, a boutique region described as Australia’s coolest mainland region. This is so much so that careful site selection and low yields are pretty much requirements here—the wine making isn’t as easy as it is in the warmer regions, making for masterful drops, where again the pinot noir reigns supreme among Macedon sparkling wine. Hanging Rock Winery, Curly Flat Vineyard and Granite Hills Winery are must-visits.