Sunbury is a wine region within the Port Phillip zone in the state of Victoria in Australia. A small region, it is located south of the Macedon Ranges at a distance of approximately 18 miles (29 km) from the north-western outskirts of the state capital Melbourne.
Grape-growing tradition in the region dates back to the 1860s, making it one of the oldest wine regions in the state but the economic downturn of the 1890s as well as a change in the consumer attitudes towards wine and alcohol meant that the development of the wine industry was brought to a standstill until the 1980s when many old vineyards were re-established. It has now emerged as one of the leading producers of quality wines in the area. The region earned its own identity as a GI (Geographical Indication) in 1998.
Sunbury's topography is a mix of steep hillside slopes, volcanic plains and deep valleys. The mountain range in the north is vital to its cool climate which facilitates the circulation of cool Antarctic influenced winds generating from the Bass Strait and the Port Phillip Bay in the south. This chilly wind affects the entire region as it sweeps through the plains and valley floors during the growing season. The cool climate makes the judicious selection of the right sites hugely important for successfully ripening the grapes. Typically the best vineyards are located on steep slopes with the right amount of sunlight exposure which, along with the long ripening season is the reason behind some of the premium wines of the region.
Shiraz produces the most acclaimed wines of the region known for their vibrant ripe black fruits, peppery spice and soft and fine tannins although the alcohol levels never go too high as is expected in this cool climate making them medium bodied. Chardonnay is the main white grape variety producing wines with good natural acidity and an elegant fruit structure. Other important grape varieties include Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.
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