The climatic conditions
The climatic conditions give the wines of Rutherglen a unique regional character. Protected by the Great Dividing Range, Rutherglen is blessed with cool nights, warm days and gloriously long, dry autumns which provide the ideal conditions for a broad range of varieties and styles.
The mild and sunny continental climate combined with the rich, loamy soils are the perfect ingredients for creating the fortified styles of wine the region is renowned for. These wines are unique to the Rutherglen region and are so rich and opulent they are often referred to as ‘liquid gold’.
Australia's fortified wine capital
Rutherglen has cemented its reputation as Australia’s fortified wine capital, with many of its great wines recognised throughout the world. As well as holding the crown for fortified, the region is renowned for Durif, a rare red grape variety brought to Rutherglen from the south of France in 1908. In 1954, Mick Morris, 4th Generation winemaker at Morris Wines made the first Durif table wine which he called Claret. Since then Durif and Morris have become synonymous and this rich, full bodied wine has generated a cult following.
A trip to Rutherglen is like taking a step back in time. Visit revitalised cellar doors and meet generational winemakers drawing on family traditions and combining them with modern techniques to ensure Rutherglen remains on the global wine map.
Getting here
Address
154 Mia Mia Rd, Rutherglen VIC 3685
Transport options
- Car
- 12 minutes by car from Rutherglen.
- Train
- 20 mins by car from Chiltern train station.
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