The Rutherglen region in Victoria is one of Australia’s most historic wine regions. Some estates here are in their sixth and seventh generation. Rutherglen is protected by the Great Dividing Range and experiences cool nights, warm days and dry, prolonged autumns. Traditional grapes include Durif and Muscat.

Climate: The dry, warm climate provides conditions for a broad range of varieties and styles. As a result, the region’s producers have trialled many varieties over the generations and continue to do so with excellent propensity for fruit ripeness and diversity of style.

Soils: The old vines that are the backbone of Rutherglen’s great fortified wines are grown on a band of loam on the lower slopes of the gentle local hills called the Rutherglen loam. Bands of red clay and quartz are also found in parts of the region where gold was once mined. Another entirely different soil type is ‘Black Dog fine sandy loam’ found around those wineries that are closer to the Murray River.

Harvest: Mid-February to late April.

Wines: Muscat, Whites with complexity (Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier), Shiraz, Durif.