ALPINE VALLEYS WINE REGION
The name Alpine Valleys accurately conveys the often spectacular and beautiful mountain scenery with which the region has been blessed. The region comprises four river basins or valleys, created by the Ovens, Buffalo, Buckland and Kiewa rivers. Bright and surrounds are known and have won many awards for their cool climate wines. You will see many of the vines growing on hillsides. This helps to overcome problems with frost.
The region has an Italian influence dated from when the township of Myrtleford was the centre of a tobacco growing area. Many of the vignerons, winemakers and restaurants have Italian names. As we should expect there are some Italian grape varieties grown. In common with its neighbour, King Valley, this region is increasing its plantings of interesting Italian varietals; Sangiovese, Barbera, Nebbiolo and Marzemino.
The 12 wineries are all within 30 to 45 minutes of Bright (several only 4- 10 minutes away). A self drive winery tour map leads you to these wineries.
Annapurna Estate
In the morning shadow of Mount Bogong rests a cool climate vineyard growing Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Merlot fruit . Cellar door sales, wine tasting, functions, live entertainment, delicious seasonal foods, spectacular views - Annapurna Estate Winery is a hidden treasure situated at the top end of Victoria's Kiewa Valley. Visit the new Vineyard Café for lunch after a beautiful drive to Mt Beauty.
www.annapurnaestate.com.au Open Wed to Sun 10am – 5pm Ph: 5754 1356
Boynton's Winery
Boynton’s was established in 1989 by Kel Boynton and is today still a family owned business. Their Feathertop wines capture the essences of nature and the beauty and crispness of the Alpine Valleys which surrounds the winery. This new label is seen to reflect a close link into the environment that defines the wines. Feathertop represents Feathertop Mountain, which is the commanding feature in the Alpine region. Boyntons has spectacular scenery and an outside cafe area as well as indoor tastings. Their tapas menu is very tempting and we love having lunch there. On the rail trail for those walking or biking. Phone to see if they have music on a Friday night.
Opening hours for tastings 10am - 5pm daily ph for cafe Opening times p: (03) 5756 2356
Ceccanti Wines
Nestled amongst natural Australian bushland in Victoria's Kiewa Valley, Ceccanti Wines takes advantage of soil types and climate almost identical to Italy's Chianti Region to produce Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz varieties for its wines . Owned and operated by Angelo Ceccanti with his wife Moya and son Danny, Ceccanti Wines offers a rare opportunity to enjoy the wines, steeped in the traditions of the finest Italian winemakers, while drawing on a unique Australian character, complemented by the best in Tuscan cuisine prepared at their cellar door, a quiet bushland retreat fast-gaining popularity amongst the local population and tourists. Dining is often a very casual affair set under the trees outside of the cellar door.
Open 7 days 11am – 5pm (also serving Tuscan Cuisine for lunch) p: 5754 5236 www.ceccanti.com.au
Gapsted Wines
Gapsted Winery is the leading winery of the area. They use grapes grown on their own estate as well as grapes purchased from regional growers. Gapsted use a method of trellising the grapes called 'ballerina canopy' which is a method of training the vines to achieve an open growth habit. Hence they have a range of wines under the Ballerina Canopy label and another range under the Tutu label. Of particular note are two varieties which are quite rare in Australia, the red variety Saperavi from Russia and the white Petit Manseng from South Western France. The wines produced by this winery include Barbera, Durif, Grenache, Petit manseng, Saperavi, Tempranillo and Verdelho. On the rail trail for those walking or riding. Movie by Moonlight in warmer months and Shakespear in the Vines.
Ph: 5751 1992 Open 7 days 10am - 5pm www.gapstedwines.com.au
Kancoona Valley Wines vineyard
Kancoona Valley Wines vineyard is a mountain valley vineyard. It is situated in the uppermost reaches of the valley in a natural amphitheatre 12 kilometres from the Kiewa River, halfway between Myrtleford and Mount Beauty. Their unique location, climate and low fertility red mountain soil give rise to low yields of grapes with intense colour and flavour.
“Thermal breezes that rise from the Kiewa River Valley make their daily journey to our vineyard throughout the growing season which helps keep our vines disease-free and reduces the need to use chemicals. We do not use any insecticides in our vineyard.”
p: (02) 6028 9419 www.kancoonavalleywines.com.au
Michelini Wines
Michelini Wines are Myrtleford. As well as the more mainstream varieties of Chardonnay and Merlot, Michelini have adapted traditional wine making techniques to produce the traditional Italian Pinot Grigio, Barbera, Sangiovese, Teroldego, Marzemino and Fragolino, as well as the sparkling white and red Fizz.
Open daily 10am - 5pm www.micheliniwines.com.au
Ringer Reef
Ringer Reef is a small vineyard near Porepunkah in the Alpine Valleys region of Victoria. 'Ringer Reef' was the name given to the gold mine owned by the original title holders of the property in the early 1890's. The winery has spectacular views from its cellar door. The Ringer Reef vineyard concentrates on the Merlot grape variety, with a softer style than other red grape varieties, rich texture and subtle twists. Ringer Reef aims to develop a style of wine that reflects full-flavoured quality fruit, integrated oak with soft acid and silky tannins. All grapes are hand picked in this boutique winery.
Ph 5756 2808 . Open Sat and Sun 12am - 5pm www.ringerreef.com.au
Souters Winery
The setting for Souter's Vineyard overlooking pristine Happy Valley in north-east Victoria provides the ideal conditions for producing classic cool-climate wines which typify the Alpine Valleys wine region.”Taste our crisp Gewurztraminer, generous unwooded Chardonnay, the subtle Pinot Noir and our rich Cabernet Sauvignon.” First established in the early 1980’s, Souter’s is one of the oldest vineyards in the whole Alpine Valleys Region. At around 300m elevation the vineyard is largely protected from frost. The vineyard is traditionally managed, the vines hand-pruned and the grapes hand-picked.View above from the cellar.
ph: 5752 1077 to check opening times www.happyvalley75.com.au/soutersvineyard