Australian Wine

Australia is renowned for its diverse and high-quality wine production, which spans across various regions and encompasses a wide range of wine styles. DrinkWell’s collection of Australian wine varies from aromatic reds from Barossa Valley, such as our best-selling Boundary Line Shiraz, to zesty whites made in the Riverland like Oxford Landing Sauvignon Blanc.

The History of Australian Wine

Australia’s first grapevines were planted in 1788 by Captain Arthur Philip at Farm Cove, near present-day Sydney. The initial plantings were unsuccessful due to the soil and a lack of winemaking knowledge. So, it took a few attempts for the vineyards to become successful. The Australian wine scene really blossomed in the early 1800s when a man named James Busby brought a wide variety of vine cuttings back to Australia from Europe. Busby brought over 600 vine varieties to Australia, planting them in the Sydney Botanic Gardens and at his property in the Hunter Valley. These cuttings provided the foundation for the Australian wine industry. Nowadays, Busby is often referred to as ‘the Father of Australian Wine’ because of his crucial role in the industry.  

The Wine Regions of Australia

Australia is home to some of the world's most prestigious and diverse wine regions. From the rolling hills of South Australia to the cool climates of Victoria and the picturesque landscapes of Western Australia, each region offers a unique vinous experience. Some of the most renowned wine regions include Barossa Valley, The Hunter Valley, McLaren Vale and the Margaret River.

Barossa Valley

Located northeast of Adelaide, Barossa Valley is one of the most famous and historically significant wine regions in Australia. Barossa Valley is very much a red wine region, best known for Grenache, Mourvèdre and Matara,  but primarily Shiraz.

Hunter Valley

The Hunter Valley in New South Wales is Australia’s oldest wine region where the first vineyards were planted in the early 1820s by James Busby. The region is renowned for several key grape varieties, but it’s particularly famous for its Semillon.

McLaren Vale

Bordered by the Gulf St Vincent to the west and the Mount Lofty Ranges to the east, McLaren Vale is a region of natural beauty. Several notable wineries can be found in McLaren Vale, such as d’Arenberg and Chapel Hill. Shiraz is this region’s most dominant grape variety.

Margaret River

Although it’s one of the youngest wine regions in the world, the Margaret River region in Western Australia has quickly shot to success. The first vines were planted here in 1967 but has rapidly developed since the 1970s. Cabernet Sauvignon is the region’s flagship variety, known for producing wines with deep colour and structured tannins.