SA: Barossa Valley

Australia's International Star

Ask anyone from outside our borders to name a wine and region from Australia, and you’d almost certainly get Shiraz and Barossa Valley as your answers. Why?

In a word: quality. Today, “the Barossa” produces world-class rich, smooth and full-bodied wines. These robust reds are now synonymous with Australian wine; pleasing both local and global palates, and gaining worldwide acclaim. And, although the Barossa Valley has only come to international prominence in the past three decades, it has always been a vital cog in Australia's wine-making machinery.

A history of a different kind

While most of Australia's wine industry was influenced by the British, the Barossa Valley was founded by German Lutheran settlers, escaping persecution in their homeland. They brought with them not only a ferocious work ethic, but farming expertise that easily lent itself to viticulture. Riesling was initially the variety of choice, due to its prevalence in Germany, but growers quickly learned that the clear-skied, sun-soaked climate suited more hardy red grapes such as Shiraz and Grenache. Today, many German names are still found in the Barossa, most famously Henschke and Peter Lehmann.

One region or many?

Although the Barossa is declared as one wine region, it is made up of many sub-regions - each with their own unique geographic and geological 'terroir'. With many of these sub-regions producing single vineyard wines, these localised differences are becoming clearer by the vintage. Names like Ebenezer, Kalimna, Greenock, Gomersal and Bethany are becoming commonplace on wine labels, and each throw off their own unique and distinct flavours. The chocolaty richness of Greenock and the strong intensity of Ebenezer is proof of the sub-regional conditions. The contrast of the concentrated richness in a Northern Chris Ringland Ebenezer Shiraz versus the elegant, violet characters of the Southern Schild Estate Shiraz show the rich and nuanced diversity that the Barossa Valley now provides.

Hover over the map below to find out more about the Barossa Valley's five wine regions

• Northern Barossa

  Wine characteristics: Some of the longest lived wines in the Barossa Valley. These are big, dark fruited wines with distinctive earthy, charcuterie and bitter chocolate characters.

  Geography, Geology and Climate: Some of the driest, hottest areas of the Barossa. Undulating terrain features a layer of ironstone (valued for its water holding properties) and dry alluvial sands.

  Potential sub-regions: wine examples

  • Mappa: Kalleske Moppa Shiraz
  • Ebenezer: E&E Black Pepper Shiraz
  • Kalimna: Penfolds Grange Shiraz (components)

• Western Ridge

  Wine characteristics: Some of the ripest, most fruit-rich, complex wines in the Barossa. Jam and dark fruits together with leather and dark, bitter chocolate. More delicacy seen in wines from higher areas.

  Geography, Geology and Climate: Rocky, shallow, eroded soil results in reduced canopy and gentle slopes. Rocks in the soil retain heat during the day and transfer wartm to the vines overnight.

  Potential sub-regions: wine examples

  • Marananga/Seppeltsfield: Penfolds Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz
  • Gomersal: Murray Street Vineyards Gomersal Shiraz
  • Greenock: Kalleske Greenock Shiraz

• Barossa Foothills

  Wine characteristics: In the South the wines are more elegant, perfumed with hints of meatiness. In the North towards Light Pass, the wines are more robust with rich fruitcake, hints of eucalypt and dark chocolate.

  Geography, Geology and Climate: Deep sand, gravel and clay soils with alluvial Biscay soils running of the hills.

  Potential sub-regions: wine examples

  • Vine Vale: Cirillo 1850s Grenache
  • Light Pass: Yalumba Single Site Light Pass Shiraz
  • Bethany: Bethany Old Vine Grenache

• Southern Valley

  Wine characteristics: Rich, ripe unctuous wines maintaining freshness and delicacy.

  Geography, Geology and Climate: Lowest elevation in Barossa Valley rising to 300m at God's Hill. The area also has the highest annual rainfall at 650mm. Soil consists of ironstone, loam and sand over clay.

  Potential sub-region: wine example

  • Lyndoch (including God's Hill): God's Hill Permanent Arm Cabernet

• Eden Valley

  Wine characteristics: Highest areas including High Eden produce outstanding white wines displaying steeliness, minerality and natural acidity. Red wines from Northern areas including Keyneton are richer however generally possess more finess and fine-boned structure than those from the Barossa Valley.

  Geography, Geology and Climate: A less diverse region than the Barossa Valley in terms of soil and temperature variables with average elevation considerably higher than the Barossa. Soils are very rocky, shaly and lean.

  Classified sub-region: wine examples

  • High Eden Valley: Pewsey Vale Riesling, Mountadam High Eden Chardonnay