A home to spell-bounding gorges and waterfalls, the New England wine region is located in the northern Hilltops of NSW. Offering an unhurried and calm country experience, the region has, in recent years, gained popularity for producing world-class wines, especially alternative varieties. Read on to know more about this 140-years-old wine region.
A Brief History
The history of viticulture in the New England wine region dates back to the time when the region was occupied by the first European settlers. Considering the problems in transportation of alcohol, the European settlers started producing wines on their own. The first vineyard was planted in the 1850s by George Wyndham, who later founded the Wyndham Estate Winery (One of the earliest wine producers in Australia). With the arrival of railways, the region’s wine industry flourished, earning it a worldwide reputation.
Things to do
- Explore the diverse flora and fauna while visiting the National Park of New England.
- Endowed with gifts of nature, it’s bliss to enjoy the picturesque views, heavenly waterfall and gorges – A perfect retreat to nature.
- At the centre of New England, lies the town of Tamworth – a hidden gem for all music lovers. With memorabilia and museums, the town showcases country music at best also hosting an amazing music festival in the month of January.
A Walk Through the Vineyards
| The Climate | The Soil | |
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A cool-climate wine region, New England witnesses warm days as well during the summers (Max. temperature – 30°C). Severe frost begins in June and may extend to the month of November. |
Also known as granite country, the vineyards enjoy rough soils, best for grape growing. Patches of rich alluvial soil, basalt, sandy loam and terra rossa can also be found. |
Must-try Wines
Chardonnay is the top-most grown varietal in the region that features cool-climate stonefruit and citrus flavours. It is followed by Riesling that stands out with its lively aromas and rich fruit flavours. A food-friendly version of the Australian staple Shiraz is widely produced here, showcasing elegant red berry flavours. It also produces alternative red and white wine varieties that include Nebbiolo, Gewurztraminer and Tempranillo.
