New South Wales Wine Regions

It was Chardonnay that first established Cowra as a quality grape-growing region, and today Chardonnay and Shiraz are equally popular. The region is home to over 40 vineyards, most of which are family owned and operated. 

The first vines were planted near Wagga Wagga, in the late 1840s. The top varieties grown in the area include fruit-forward cabernet sauvignon, elegant chardonnay and full-bodied shiraz.

Hastings River is a small, developing wine region. The main clusters of vineyards are located in Port Macquarie and Wauchope. The region has been championed by the Cassegrain family with Verdelho being the highlight of local wines.

The cool climate conditions in the Hilltops region enable the production of elegant red wines, especially Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, both displaying typical seductive aromas, flavour intensity and proven ageing capabilities.

The Hunter Valley is a dynamic wine region with more than 150 premium wine producers. The Hunter Valley is also known for producing outstanding Shiraz and for its development of innovative new varieties and styles such as Tempranillo.

Mudgee has established a reputation for big, concentrated red wines – in particular, Cabernet Sauvignon. Recent years has also seen the emergence of new varietals with the likes of Sangiovese, Barbera and Zinfandel. 

The region is known for its Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet and Merlot but it is also gaining a growing reputation for new and emerging varieties including Sangiovese, Tempranillo Pinot Gris and Vermentino.  

New England is New South Wales newest wine region is home to boutique wineries such as Blickling Estate and Toppers Mt Wines. It’s high altitude and cool-climate makes New England perfect for Riesling.

The Orange region is ideal for grape growing and winemaking because of the combination of geology, soils, climate and temperature. Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are the most widely planted red varieties with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc the most widely planted white variety in the region.

Perricoota is close the Victorian border, centred on the towns of Moama and Echuca.  In the 1990s, new vineyards were developed but to date still remains one of the smallest regions being best known for Shiraz.

The Riverina is situated in southern central New South Wales and is the largest producing wine region in NSW. The McWilliam family pioneered the region, establishing their Hanwood vineyard in 1912. However, it is a special wine made in small scale production that has made the region world-famous, Botrytis Semillon.

Shoalhaven Coast wine region runs along the South Coast, close to the city centres of Sydney, Wollongong and Canberra, with 9 cellar doors all sitting close to the coast. The new region is best known for Chamboucin.

There are now more than 60 vineyards in the Southern Highlands with over 350 hectares under cultivation with increasing grafting to Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. 

The Swan Hill wine region sits on the borders of Victoria and New South Wales. The Swan Hill Region Food and Wine Festival in March presents wines from the growing number of vineyards in the region.

Tumbarumba lies at the foothills of the Snowy Mountains and is the coolest wine-growing region in NSW. Historically the fruit has primarily been used for sparkling wine with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir being the leading varieties.