King Valley Wine

King Valley is a wine region in North East Victoria. Located south of Glenrowan, the area derives its name from the King river, which originates in the heights of the Great Dividing Range. The local wine industry started to take shape in the 1970s and since then King Valley has emerged as a premium wine-growing area, producing almost a third of Victoria's top-level wines. King Valley quite deservedly acquired its GI (Geographical Indication) status in 2007.

The region's topography and climate is characterized by varying altitudes and temperatures across its length, beginning in the north at Wangaratta, around Milawa, at a mere 509ft (155m). Here, on the valley floor, the temperatures are warm to hot, with the continental climate making the summers sometimes extreme. The altitude progressively increases at the southern ends of the region, with elevations of up to 2624ft (800m) on the Whitlands plateau, one of the highest grape-growing areas of Australia. Another important factor determining the quality of the region's wine is the positioning of vines on a slope, which affects the amount of sunlight exposure and the type of soil. The region also experiences a noticeable diurnal temperature variation during the ripening season, and once again altitude plays an important role. As the terrain varies enormously throughout the region, so, too, does the range of styles.

King Valley's repertoire is enormous in terms of the number of different grape varieties grown. Chardonnay leads the whites, while Cabernet Sauvignon is the chief red. The Chardonnay is known for its soft and fruity nature and, along with Pinot Noir, forms the base of the region's high-quality sparkling wines. The local Cabernets display ripe tannins and rich fruits with hints of eucalyptus. King Valley's Italian heritage is displayed through grape varieties such as Sangiovese, Barbera, Marzemino, Nebbiolo, Pinot Grigio, Prosecco and Arneis. Shiraz and Tempranillo also produce high-quality and sought-after wines.