New South Wales has vineyards by the coast, across inland plains and in alpine country. Vines brought by the First Fleet were planted at Sydney Cove in 1788. James Busby's later vine collection helped spread plant material through Australian wine regions. Warm, humid Hunter Valley is known for early-picked Semillon. This white wine can develop lemon-curd and toasty notes as it ages in the bottle. Riverina occupies flat plains around Griffith. Canberra District has warm, dry days and cold summer nights, and most of its vineyards lie in New South Wales. Central Ranges is a recognised geographical indication; Cowra lies within that wine zone and has warm days and cool nights.
4 named areas
Inside the region
Explore the wine-growing areas of New South Wales.
- 01Canberra DistrictNo producers listed yetCanberra District has warm, dry days and cold summer nights. Most of its vineyards are in New South Wales. Shiraz commonly shows spice, black cherry and liquorice, while Riesling is often crisp and dry and can develop toasty complexity.
- 02Central Ranges1 producerCentral Ranges is an Australian geographical indication in New South Wales. Cowra, within its wine zone, is associated with warm days and cool nights that support ripening.
- 03Hunter Valley4 producersWarm and humid Hunter Valley is home to Semillon, Shiraz, Chardonnay and Verdelho. Its Semillon is picked early for low alcohol and can develop lemon-curd and toasty complexity in bottle. Rain sometimes arrives during harvest.
- 04Riverina1 producerRiverina sits on the flat southwestern plains around Griffith, in a low-rainfall inland setting. Chardonnay, Shiraz, Semillon and Cabernet Sauvignon are the main grapes. Its alluvial soils contain sands and gravels embedded in clay.
Producer profiles
Producer profiles
Every producer profiled in New South Wales so far.
- Brokenwood WinesHunter Valley producer founded by three solicitors in 1970, known for single-vineyard Semillon and Graveyard Shiraz from Pokolbin.
- De Bortoli WinesFamily winery founded in 1928 in New South Wales by Italian immigrants Vittorio and Giuseppina De Bortoli, best known for Noble One Botrytis Semillon, one of Australia's most awarded dessert wines.
- Rawson's RetreatA Treasury Wine Estates range whose origin can vary by market: Shiraz–Cabernet brings very fruity red fruit, spice, oak and tannin.