Wine regions – Beechworth
Beechworth Victoria
This small Victoria region has shown it is capable of the producing wines of the highest quality. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling are varieties of note.
Beechworth has been expanding
its vineyards since the 1950s
The Beechworth Region lies within the North East Victoria zone in the foothills of the Victorian Alps. The region is part of a group making up the alpine valleys.
The soils vary with elevation from the Ovens Valley flood plain to 552m at Beechworth. The flood plain has fertile sandy alluvial soils and on the higher elevations are older soils, reddish brown in colour.
The Beechworth region has a cool, sub-alpine, frosty climate.
Gold digging and bushranging (aka Ned Kelly and mates) were the
main pursuits in the 1800s. Some vines were planted to produce wine
for the gold diggers, but viticulture declined dramatically in the
region and at the turn of the 20th century it was all but gone.
Revival began in the 1950s when Brown Brothers planted the Everton
Hills vineyard. Inspired by the success of wines from Everton, Ric
Kinzbrunner, a former winemaker at Brown Brothers, purchased land
nearby establishing Giaconda. The winery produces fine reds and
Chardonnay and pioneered the use of wild yeast in the region.
The region is also stepping up to the organic and biodynamic challenge.
Pennyweight established by Stephen and Elizabeth Morris in the 1970s
has organic vineyards and Castagna is run on biodynamic principles
growing a range of French and Italian varietals the wines from which
have earned high praise. Smiths Vineyard was first planted with
Chardonnay in 1979. Today they produce Shiraz, red blends as well
as a wild fermented Chardonnay.
During the 1990s there was another flurry of development. Russell
Bourne established Battely Wines on the former Everton Hills vineyard
and Savaterre came into being making a mark with its Pinot and Chardonnay.
The region’s producers grow a range of varieties with, however,
a focus on Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay which revels
in the cool climate. The region also produces Italian varietals
(Amulet Vineyard, Castagna); fortifieds (Pennyweight) and Gamay
(Sorrenberg).
The history of the region can best be experienced in the town of
Beechworth which has preserved its heritage. There are a number
of excellent restaurants and cafes including the famous Beechworth
Bakery. For wine and antique lovers the Beechwoth Wine Centre and
Antiques is a place of interest. The region also has a variety of
excellent accommodation services.
If you like to see the countryside by bicycle then take the Beechworth
Rail Trail, a bitumen sealed former rail line that gives you a wonderful
safe passage from Bright to Wangaratta.
Beechworth has a number of events throughout the year including
the Beechworth Harvest Festival in May and a vibrant farmers market
scene.
Harvest time: mid March to late April
Chestnuts at market day
Sites with more information:
- What Is It About Beechworth?
- North East Valleys, Victoria
- Beechworth
- Pedal to Produce
- Murray to Mountains
Article by Caroline Colton
Preface paragraph Toni Paterson
© Wine Diva
