New South Wales

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Overview

The wine industry in New South Wales (NSW) dates back to the early days of European settlement in Australia. In the late 18th century, Governor Arthur Phillip established a vineyard at Farm Cove in Sydney, and in 1828, the Australian Agricultural Company began growing vines in the Hunter Valley.

However, it wasn't until the mid-19th century that the wine industry in NSW really began to flourish. In the 1850s, gold was discovered in the state, wh. . . Read More >

Overview

However, it wasn't until the mid-19th century that the wine industry in NSW really began to flourish. In the 1850s, gold was discovered in the state, which led to a population boom and increased demand for wine. Many new vineyards were established in the Hunter Valley, Mudgee, and the Riverina, and by the end of the 19th century, NSW was producing over half of Australia's wine.

In the early 20th century, the NSW wine industry was hit hard by a number of factors, including the phylloxera outbreak, the Great Depression, and World War II. Many vineyards were abandoned or converted to other crops, and it wasn't until the 1960s and 1970s that the industry began to recover.

Since then, the NSW wine industry has continued to grow and innovate. In the 1990s and 2000s, many new wine regions were established, including Orange, the Southern Highlands, and the Hilltops. While technically part of the Australian Capital, the so-called Canberra (wine) district is geographically in New South Wales. Today, NSW is home to over 400 wineries and produces a wide range of wines from classic Hunter Valley Semillon and Shiraz to Shiraz-Viognier blends in the Canberra district.

Key Grape Varieties

Shiraz is the principal variety producing fine wine in New South Wales mainly in its own right in the Hunter Valley but it is also occasionally blended with Viognier (usually under 10%) to give aromatic lift to the red Shiraz grape as is sometimes done in Cote Rotie of the northern Rhone Valley (see Clonakilla).

Semillon, originally grown in Bordeaux and blended with Sauvignon Blanc, is now produced in the new world as a straight varietal which can be enjoyed young but also produces wines of great complexity with age, especially in the Hunter Valley. These are wines well worth seeking out.

Key Sub Regions

For us there are two key sub regions of New South Wales, the Hunter Valley and Canberra district, noting that while the latter is considered to be technically part of the Australian Capital Territory, the vineyards are located in New South Wales:

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