The Beechworth Wine Region is located in North Eastern Victoria in the foothills of the Victorian Alps, and adjoins the Alpine Valleys Region. The region is centred on the charming tourist town of Beechworth which retains remnants of its origin and offers wonderful restaurants serving local food, boutique wineries, fresh food outlets, cafes, country pubs, bed and breakfasts, arts and crafts studios, bookshops and many antique stores. The major grape varieties grown in the area are Riesling, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay which revels in the cool climate. Fortified wine and certified organic wines are also produced in this region.The region's vineyard plantings are rapidly expanding and many of the outstanding local wineries now offer cellar door tastings and the chance
to meet the winemaker, and many have cafes and restaurants. The winemaking history dates back to the Gold Rush era and exemplifies the rugged intensity and diversity of the region. The landscape is rugged and hilly and the spoils mostly lean and mineral-rich providing a unique terroir. The long, generally dry autumns with warm sunny days and cool nights promote the full development and concentration of flavour with late harvests. Beechworth and the surrounding towns are part of what is known as 'The Victorian Legends, Wine and High Country Region' boasting sensational scenery, historic villages, legends of the famous bushranger Ned Kelly who call the region his home, and the 'Man from Snowy River' high country and horse riding. The climate in the region is Mediterranean with hot days and cool
nights during the growing season. Temperatures and rainfall vary locally with elevation. the annual rainfall: 921 mm; Mean January temp: 20.4°C. Bush rangers and gold were the main pursuits in the 1800s. and some vines were planted tat this time but most of the vineyards seen today were planted beginning in the early 1970s. These first plantings were only four years after the initial discovery of gold in Beechworth in 1852. By the end of 1872, 104 acres of vines were planted, producing a total of 15,960 gallons of wine, and by 1891 the acreage of wine production had increased to 177 acres, with 15,580 gallons processed. However, sease phylloxera, which was first discovered in Rutherglen in 1899, dramatically reduced wine production in Beechworth. Rick Kinzbrunner led the resurgence of wine
growing in Beechworth when he established Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon in 1980.
By 1998, wine production had increased and there were to 81 acres of vineyard.
Currently there are more than 35 vineyards and wineries in the region processing about 500 tonnes of grapes annually.
The Beechworth Wine Region includes two districts :
East - Beechworth ;
West - Beechworth
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