Canberra District Wine Region
Meet the makers at cellar doors just a short drive from the city.
Home to 140 vineyards and more than 40 wineries within 35 minutes’ drive of the city, Canberra's wine region is the perfect weekend getaway. Find your new favourite drop as you visit cellar doors, meet the makers, and even stay overnight amongst the vines.
The first vines were planted in the Canberra region in the 1840s. Like many other small Australian wine regions, the industry went into decline for several decades from the turn of the 20th Century. These cool-climate wineries re-emerged in the 1970s thanks to some CSIRO scientists. who carefully researched the location of vineyards, grape selection, and the use of traditional methods to produce low volume vintages to reflect the true nature of the variety, growing season and character of the wine.
Having grown from strength to strength over the last 50 years, Canberra now has three distinct wine regions. Yes, that means you'll need at least three days to explore Murrumbateman and Yass, then Canberra and Hall, plus Bungendore, Wamboin, Gundaroo, Lake George and Collector.
Cool climate wines and regional terroir
The district's vineyards cover a large altitudinal range averaging from 300 to 800 metres. There’s also a distinct variation in temperature, vineyard elevations, and different soil types including granites and volcanics.
These elements, combined with the skills and character of the winemaker, reap varieties in styles such as Sangiovese, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Shiraz, Tempranillo and include rare varieties like Gruner Veltliner. The ability to ripen the same fruit across the whole region provides great diversity within styles – so you may need to taste them all.
