The Tempranillo grape variety is grown in Australia.

Vineyard area: In November 2002 Max Allen found over 60 growers across 25 Australian growing regions, compared to his previous survey in 1998 turned up ‘only about half a dozen growers, mostly in Victoria’ who had 5ha between them.’ His conclusion at that time was ‘Australian Tempranillo was gloriously obscure.’ In November 2002 he did another survey and found over 60 growers with 160ha, over half of which was in production for the 2002 vintage. Of this five producers accounted for over 90ha. Casella (of Yellow Tail fame) was the largest player with 30ha. Other big players were Peter Lehmann, and Brown Brothers (whose Tempranillo in north-east Victoria had been made under winemaker Terry Barnett since 1996). Tempranillo was seen to be versatile foe both fruity-soft, warm climate value for money reds, and more structured wines from cooler sites.

Bibliography

Max Allen, ‘Tierra Rossa’, Harpers Wine & Spirit Weekly, 14 February 2003, p.12.