If you’re looking for the best shiraz in the Yarra Valley, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you have to be sure that you are focusing on the right kinds of wines. You want to go for one of the more expensive, premium brands, but you also don’t want to go overboard. Also, you want to make sure that you’re drinking it the right way. The best way to do this is to drink it with food.
Seville Estate
Seville Estate is a small winery located just one hour from Melbourne in the Upper Yarra Valley. Seville Estate was established in 1972 by Dr Peter McMahon and his wife Margaret. Today, Dr McMahon’s legacy is alive and well, through the Cellar Door at Seville Estate.
The vineyards are on red volcanic soil, and the company uses Cabernet and Pinot Noir. Their flagship wine is a Shiraz that’s rich in colour and aroma. For a taste of this fine wine, visit the Seville Estate Cellar Door. There are plenty of wines to choose from, and you can also book private tours and tasting flights.
The Seville Estate is a hidden gem. It’s out of the way from the crowds, and away from the hustle and bustle of the Yarra Valley. They produce benchmark wines, like the Seville Estate Reserve Shiraz, which is produced from estate grown fruit. This shiraz is a world class wine, and rewards patient cellaring.
While the Seville Estate has been making its mark for a long time, the modern Yarra Valley wine movement has a new kid on the block. One of the leading lights is Dylan McMahon, who joined the company in 2000. He is now the chief winemaker. Having studied viticulture and oenology in France, Dylan has crafted wines with the utmost attention to detail.
The Seville Estate has been at the forefront of the Yarra Valley wine movement for the past 40 years. With a focus on the newest and best Australian varietals, it’s no wonder they’re one of the country’s most sought after wineries.
Chapel Hill Winery
Chapel Hill Winery is one of the first 25 wineries in the Yarra Valley. In addition to producing excellent reds, the winery also makes a great sparkling wine. It is run by Michael Fragos, who is an expert in both viticulture and vinification. He holds a master class for wine lovers at the estate.
The winery is also a pioneer in organic and biodynamic wine making. Chapel Hill’s Shiraz has a lot of oak and cedar aromas, which complement the dark plums, woodsy spices, and a smooth, supple texture.
The cellar door at the estate is open seven days a week. Visitors can taste the wines, enjoy a meal at the restaurant, and book a function space.
The vineyard is surrounded by beautiful scenery. In the spring, the valley is awash with flowers. The Dandenong Ranges protect the area from hot easterly winds.
Located just an hour east of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is a popular tourist destination. It’s well serviced with buses and plenty of accommodation. There are many restaurants and shopping venues.
Another winery to check out is Balgownie. It has a vineyard in Bendigo and has a glamping option. Their chardonnay is particularly impressive, and their pinot noir is excellent.
Another famous Yarra Valley winery is Moet & Chandon. They expanded to the Yarra Valley in 1986. Today, they have the largest range of méthode traditionnel sparkling wines in Australia.
Chateau Yarrinya
Yarra Valley is a premier cool-climate region in Australia, where winemakers produce a wide range of elegant reds. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Pinot Noir are among the top grape varieties. The area boasts a long history of vineyards dating back to the mid 1800s.
One of the first vineyards in modern Yarra was Seville Estate. The property was purchased in 1987 by the De Bortoli estate. Since then, a series of talented winemakers have worked at the estate.
De Bortoli is a well-known name in the Australian wine scene. They own vineyards in the King Valley, Heathcote and Lusatia Park. Their wines are excellent value.
Another well-known winery is Coldstream Hills. Founded by James Halliday, it has a number of vineyards in the Upper Yarra. It has placed less emphasis on cabernet and more on pinot noir and chardonnay.
Another of Yarra’s best-known wines is the Melba label. Blended from the best Yarra ferments, the label includes cabernet sauvignon, merlot and shiraz.
Yarra Yering is another stalwart of the Australian wine scene. Established in 1969, it is one of the most elusive wine icons in the country. After changing hands, the vineyard was almost lost to the industry. Today, it is run by highly respected winemaker Sarah Crowe.
One of the top wines is the 1997 Reserve Shiraz. This blend is sourced from 50 acres of Yarra shiraz. It is aging in oak and is expected to be released in 1999.
Tokar Estate
Tokar Estate produces red and white wines from some of the best grapes in Yarra Valley. They have won multiple awards including the top wine accolades from the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards. In fact, they have won 5 Red stars in consecutive years from James Halliday. The estate also boasts a Yarra Valley restaurant where you can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine while enjoying some of the best views in the region.
As for the wine itself, there is a variety of shiraz to choose from, including a single vineyard bottling, a blend and a shiraz ice cream. It’s not hard to see why this family run winery has earned their stripes.
This is a quality product produced from small batches and a blend of three varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Merlot. One of the most impressive features of this blend is its colour. It is a deep ruby in colour. What’s more, it is reasonably priced at $30.
Aside from its obvious red grapes, the Yarra Valley is home to a handful of other varietals including Chardonnay, Pinot noir and even a tiny bit of tempranillo. With so many choices available, it can be difficult to pick the right one. Fortunately, the staff at Tokar are happy to help. Their website offers a convenient search function where you can find the best wine for you.
Dr Bailey Carrodus’ Yarra wines
Dr Bailey Carrodus’ Yarra wines are some of Australia’s finest. Originally planted by Dr Carrodus in 1969, the Yarra Yering vineyard is one of the oldest in the Yarra Valley. The vineyard is an amalgam of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Port. It’s a concentrated blend, which is evident in the Yarra Yering New Territories. This wine is a exercise in spice and leathery savouriness.
Initially, the vines were planted on thinner soils, which force the vines to work harder. Over time, the vines developed a thicker, more resistant skin, giving the grapes more intense flavours.
During the 1970s, Dr Bailey Carrodus was studying viticulture and oenology in New Zealand. He also studied at Queens College Oxford.
In the 1980s, cool-climate wines were regarded as unfashionable. However, Yarra Yering, Warramate and other wineries in the region kept producing wines that showed the purity and elegance that Dr Carrodus had in mind.
Since 2009, Yarra Yering has been owned by two close friends. Ed Peter and Reid Bosward, who both have deep roots in the Yarra Valley, purchased the property in 2008.
Dr Bailey Carrodus died in 2008, leaving a legacy of award-winning wines. These wines reflect the carefully selected site he chose for his winery.
Yarra Yering produces a range of single-varietal wines, which are often aromatic and powerful, with great balance and harmony. In addition, the Yarra Yering Cabernet Sauvignon blend features in Langton’s classification of Australian wines.
Yarra Valley Dairy
Yarra Valley Dairy crafts artisan cheeses in the traditional farmhouse style. They stock more than 60 local wines and have a 100-year-old milking shed to show off their produce. If you’re looking to taste some cheese, they have a free tasting with a purchase of wine.
The Yarra Valley has many great chardonnays and pinot noirs. These are usually lighter wines, with citrusy acidity and fig flavours. Yarra is one of the most well-known areas for these varieties.
Winemakers in Yarra valley are some of the most innovative in Australia. They create a diverse range of styles from shiraz to merlot and cabernet sauvignon.
There are two mesoclimates in Yarra Valley, Upper and Lower. Higher elevations tend to be cooler, while warmer sites are more sheltered from biting winds. Many vineyards in Yarra valley are elevated and originally planted for sparkling wine production. However, these elevated vineyards are now also excellent sources for still wines.
Yarra Valley is a popular destination for food and wine. There is a wide selection of restaurants and cafes in the region. You can also try multi-course food and wine pairings. Yarra Valley is known for its award-winning sparkling wine.
One of the most historic cellar doors in Yarra Glen is Yering Station. It was established in 1838 by two Scottish brothers. Today, it remains one of the best estates in the Yarra.