King Valley Wine Region and Wine StylesKing Valley Home l King Valley Events l King Valley Natural Attractions l King Valley Accommodation l King Valley Wineries
The King Valley wine region in north eastern Victoria spreads from the Primerano and Ciccone wineries at the extreme southern end where it touches the boundaries of the Alpine National Park, through to the northern cluster around the more familiar townships of Oxley and Milawa. In between lies an array of vineyards, cellar doors, cafes and restaurants set against the backdrop of the Australian Alps, creating one of the most beautiful wine regions in the country.
The region's winemakers have a culture of embracing grape types from Spain, Germany, France, Italy and Russia. This blend of traditional and rare varieties has always been the region's main point of difference, along with the region's taste signature -style and character. Here is why you try Nebbiolo, Sangiovese and Prosecco, to name just a few of the remarkably diverse wines on offer.
Touring the King Valley is one of the great wine experiences. The winemaking families welcome you to their cellar doors, where you can talk with the winemakers and other family members. You'll find there's no shortage of good conversation or enthusiasm about their wine or their region. Saluté!
For a list of King Valley wineries click here or for additional information about the King Valley Vignerons visit their webpage.
To make good wine you need good fruit, and this means matching grape varieties with the climate and soil types to achieve optimal results.
The King Valley is fortunate in that variations in topography, soils and the climate provide an ideal mix of locations for the worlds's finest wine grapes hailing for Bordeaux, Burgandy, the Rhône, Germany, Italy, Spain and Russia.
Location: 36°21'S, 146°19'E
Altitude: 155 - 860m
Harvest: Early March - Late April
Soils
The valley ranges from a broad river basin in the north around Milawa and Moyhu, to the ranges in the extreme south peaking at around 800m. There is an abundance of suitable land, with most vineyards established on relatively gentle slopes, typically facing north and north east.
The soil is mostly a deep red clay loam, at times tending more to grey or brown in colour, but having the same structure.
Climate
The valley's continental climate provides warm days and cool nights, influenced by the katabatic breeze that sweeps northward down the valley from the high country. The climate changes progressively from north to south, from lower northern elevations to higher southern elevations, with a progressive increase in rainfall and decrease in heat summations. Ripening is progressively delayed, the style of wine changes, and at the highest altitude the earlier-ripening varieties are favoured by growers.
Grape varieties
The total vineyard area in the King Valley is around 1,800ha, about half of all plantings in North East Victoria.
White grapes
Arneis is relatively new to the valley, producing an unoaked wine with a profusion of flavour possibilies - citrus, ripe pears, apple and lime.
Chardonnay is the valley's most widely planted and popular white grape variety, used for sparkling wines and wood aged dry whites, from varying from rich and opulent through to the more restrained styles.
Pinot Grigio is also one of the new varieties in the valley, producing a delightfully spicy wine with flavour nuances varying from pear to spiced apple custard to toasted almonds.
Prosecco is an Italian variety from northern Italy used for producing a much loved aromatic sparkling wine.
Sauvignon Blanc: A winning style - all gooseberry and lychee and guava flavours in the one crisp package. Can be both oaked and unoaked.
Red Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon: there are more plantings in the vally of this variety than any other, and for good reason. The wines display classic mint and blackcurrent flavours and blossom beautifully with ageing.
Barbera: another Italian that calls the King Valley home. Savoury blackberry and herb flavours with natural acidity.
Marzemino: A spicy Italian with hints of violets behind the summer berries.
Merlot: All dark cherry, ripe berry and plum fragrances - a wine with soft tannins and a 'love me' attitude. A very cuddly style!
Nebbiolo: A wine with generous tannins and acid underlying the cherry, roses, and strawberry tart flavours. A reputation for being a long lived wine.
Pinot Noir: The upper reaches of the valley in particular provide fruit that is steeped in flavour to provide the basis fro the valley's remarkable sparkling wines.
Sangiovese: The valley is nationally acknowledged for its high quality Sangiovese - a medium to full bodied red that resonates with flavours of aniseed, prune and dark cherry.
Saperavi: The Russians are coming! A wine with a seriously deep red colour and blackberry, mulberry, and ripe cherry flavours. Plush tannins and good grip are indicators of ageing potential.
Shiraz: The French variety that Australia has made its own. King Valley styles display white pepper and spice with lifted berry and ripe plum flavours.
Tannat: A full-bodied French variety richly textured with a dense red colour. Spicy and mouth filling.
Tempranillo: The main variety of Spain and one of the world's classic grapes. It produces deeply coloured and highly flavoursome wines (think dark cherries and blackberries) on a medium palate.
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