Riverland - SA’s Largest Wine Producing Region

Alongside the lower Murray River lies this picturesque Riverland wine region which is a 2.5 hrs drive from the Adelaide. Endowed with natural beauty, the region is a perfect destination for camping or cruising your way on a houseboat. But doesn’t the picture looks incomplete without a glass of wine?

Australia’s largest producer of wines, Riverland in SA is one of the biggest gift to country’s wine industry. No wine aficionado could leave the place without a bagful of souvenirs for life.

History

Riverland with Murray Darling as its lifeline was appropriately named by Captain Charles Sturt in the year 1830. In 1887, the first irrigation colony of Australia was set-up in Renmark by Canadian engineers Ben and George Chaffey. This lead to the development of its food and wine industries which paced in 1920’s making it the country’s largest producer of wines. In fact, you’d be amazed to know that the widely used wine casks (bag-in-box) was invented and patented here in 1965 by Thomas Angove.

Despite of these eye-opening facts, the region is not so popular because a majority of Riverland wines are labelled under a broader term of South Eastern Australia.

Terroir

Riverland in SA experiences a continental type of climate which means long and sunny days while the temperature falls down during nights. A fair amount of sunshine keeps the crops disease-free allowing the fruit to ripen fully.

Its continental climate is accompanied by soil, majorly divided in 2 types – a) loamy with clay subsoil and b) Mallee, i.e., sandy with lime and clay subsoil.

Must-Try Wines

Accounting for 30% of country’s total produce, the Riverland fruit is widely used by prestigious winemakers across Australia. Along with more than 1000 viticulturists, the region houses numerous premium boutique wineries. No doubt, being the largest producer, it harvests diverse varieties of wine grapes. Shiraz, Chardonnay and Petit Verdot are most-produced in the region. Besides, there are many wineries dedicated to production of rare alternative varieties like Montepulciano, Nero d’Avola, Vermentino and the list goes on. Thanks to the broad wine-portfolio, every wine lover can find anything and everything they may fancy!

Additional Read: Wine regions in Australia