Gippsland wine region
Gippsland's unspoilt landscape can be easily accessed on a day trip, but when a region includes such diverse natural wonders as Wilsons Promontory and Ninety Mile Beach, and more than 45 increasingly renowned cool-climate cellar doors, why limit yourself to just one day?
The best way to make sense of Gippsland's vast and diverse natural landscape is to look at its sub-regions, all of which have distinct characteristics reflected in the wines they produce.
West Gippsland, an hour from Melbourne, includes the famed, farm-fresh produce of the Latrobe Valley and Warragul. The area generally has a cool climate with a warm, dry autumn, encouraging rich chardonnay and unique sauvignon blanc, riesling, pinot noir, shiraz and an emerging production of sparkling wine.
About three hours from Melbourne, East Gippsland has a warmer, Mediterranean climate with low rainfall and tempering sea breezes. Its coastal plains produce chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, fruity pinot noir and floral riesling.
South Gippsland is incredibly beautiful and a true, cool-climate region with maritime influences from the often stormy Bass Strait. Wineries from Phillip Island to the foothills of the Strzelecki Ranges produce elegant chardonnay and pinot gris, but have found their true expression with pinot noir of superb flavour and structure.