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The Southern Highlands subregion, nestled in the heart of New South Wales, Australia, is a picturesque wine-producing area renowned for its unique environment and exceptional grape varieties. With a cool-climate influenced by its high elevation and proximity to the Great Dividing Range, this region offers a distinctive terroir that is perfect for viticulture.
The Southern Highlands is celebrated for its diverse range of grape varieties, but it's most notably recognized for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. These grapes thrive in the region's cool, crisp climate, which provides the ideal conditions for their cultivation.
Pinot Noir, the most planted red grape variety, yields wines that are elegant and expressive, with a delicate balance of red fruit flavors and earthy undertones. Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc are the prominent white grape varieties grown here, producing wines known for their vibrant acidity, aromatic complexity, and refined palate.
The Pinot Noir from the Southern Highlands showcases the region's terroir with finesse, offering notes of cherries and raspberries, while Chardonnay wines exhibit a harmonious blend of citrus and stone fruit, often with hints of oak influence. Sauvignon Blanc from this area is refreshingly crisp, boasting tropical fruit and herbaceous aromas.
In summary, the Southern Highlands subregion is a captivating destination for wine enthusiasts, where the remarkable environment and dedication to producing exceptional Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc wines truly shine. It's a testament to the region's commitment to crafting wines that reflect the beauty and complexity of their unique terroir.
Vineyard Hectares
WINERIES
GROWING DEGREE DAYS
The Southern Highlands sits within the Great Dividing Range, between 500 and 900 meters above sea level. This height creates both a special climate and a varied landscape that changes as you travel through the region.
The land shape looks like an upside-down bowl, rising from the lower areas around it to form a plateau mostly between 600 and 700 meters high. Some hills reach even higher, going up to almost 900 meters in places.
In the middle and eastern parts, you'll find gentle rolling hills that make for beautiful views. As you move toward the edges, the scenery becomes more dramatic where rivers like the Wollondilly, Wingecarribee, and Shoalhaven cut down from the plateau, creating deep gorges and canyons.
The Southern Highlands has many great places to visit, with something for everyone.
The climate of the Southern Highlands greatly shapes the region's farming potential, especially for wine growing. Located at heights between 500 and 900 meters above sea level, the area has a cool, somewhat humid climate with mild summers and cool winters. This special weather pattern creates days where you might need a jacket in the morning but feel comfortable by afternoon.
For growing grapes, this height is very important. During the growing season, temperatures usually stay between 17°C and 20°C (63°F to 68°F), creating perfect conditions for grapes to flower, grow, and ripen slowly. These temperatures are ideal for varieties like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc, which grow exceptionally well here.
Rainfall is another key factor, falling fairly evenly throughout the year but varying across the region. Eastern areas get quite a lot of rain, about 1664 mm (65 inches) yearly, while places like Joadja see a more moderate 832 mm (32 inches). This moisture helps the vines grow but also brings challenges, as the dampness can lead to plant diseases like downy and powdery mildews, requiring careful vineyard management.
Weather events throughout the year create additional challenges for grape growers. Frosts in April can harm early-flowering varieties, while occasional hail can damage the developing fruit. In warmer years, a fungus called botrytis may appear, requiring extra care in the vineyards.
Despite these challenges, the cool temperatures and long growing season offer major benefits, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and evenly, which enhances flavor. This climate produces wines with remarkable complexity and bright acidity. The region's Chardonnays typically show melon, lime, and citrus flavors, while Rieslings have floral and citrus notes when young, developing honey and toast flavors as they age.
The soils of the Southern Highlands wine region play a key role in shaping the taste and quality of the wines made here. Different soil types create unique growing environments that affect how the grapes develop their flavors. Here are the main soil types found across the region:
Both basalt and shale-derived soils tend to be acidic, sometimes requiring vineyard managers to add lime for better balance. This diverse soil mix across the Southern Highlands contributes to a wide variety of wine styles, with each soil type giving unique characteristics to the grapes grown in it. The result is an impressive range of wines with different flavors, textures, and aging potential—from bold, rich wines from basalt soils to more subtle, complex wines from shale-based areas.
The Southern Highlands wine region is perfect for growing grapes thanks to its unique growing conditions. Here are the most common grape varieties you'll find in the area and why they do so well:
The Southern Highlands wine subregion of Australia is a cool-climate gem, creating elegant wines that showcase the area's unique growing conditions. Sitting between 500 and 900 meters above sea level, this region provides ideal conditions for many grape varieties, producing wines that are bright, fragrant, and full of personality. Here's what makes these standout wines special:
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