Bendigo is a region in the State of Victoria, Australia. (See also Bendigo in Otago, New Zealand.). The first grapevines were planted in Bendigo in 1856 soon after the start of the gold rush.

Terroir: The local soils have long proven to be ideally suited to viticulture. The grapes here are only minimally irrigated. Climate – Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters with some variation in meso-climatic conditions due to elevation, slope and aspect. Soils – Brownish loamy sand to clay loam soils over a stony clay base, with significant patches of gold-bearing quartz gravel sub-soils. Overall, the soils are acidic and fairly low in nutrients, needing lime, gypsum and supplementary water. The tendency to low yields is undoubtedly the reason why the region provides red wines of such depth and strength.

Harvest: Mid-March to End April

Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz

Website: www.victoria.org.au/victorian-wine-regions/bendigo-wine