Murray Darling straddles the Murray River across north-west Victoria and western New South Wales. It extends more than 350 kilometres from east to west, with a virtually identical climate across that distance. The growing season is hot, sunny, low in humidity and nearly rainless, so irrigation is essential. Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are soft, sweet-fruited wines intended for drinking within one to two years.
Elsewhere in Victoria
Continue through the region
- Grampians1 producerGrampians is a Western Victoria region with a Mediterranean climate cooled by the Southern Ocean. Shiraz ranges from silky red-cherry and plum styles to concentrated, spicy wines, while Riesling shifts from tropical lime in warmer years to a reserved, toasty character in cooler vintages.
- Heathcote3 producersHeathcote's red soils over calcareous sodic clay are known as Cambrian Greenstones, and south-easterly winds keep summers cooler than nearby Bendigo. Shiraz is deep and velvety with dark cherry-plum fruit, while Cabernet can show blackberry and eucalyptus-mint character.
- Mornington PeninsulaNo producers listed yetEvery Mornington Peninsula vineyard site is within seven kilometres of the ocean. Pinot Noir ranges from delicate cherry-strawberry wines to richer site expressions, while Chardonnay typically shows melon, citrus and fig.
- Rutherglen4 producersRutherglen is known for sweet, concentrated fortified wines made from Muscat and Muscadelle. Its Durif is ripe and spicy, with balance and ageing potential. Warm days, cool nights and long dry autumns shape the growing season, with spring frost remaining a risk.
- Yarra Valley7 producersYarra Valley's altitude and aspect create substantial mesoclimate variation. Its long cool-climate identity sits alongside a fresher modern approach to Shiraz. Pinot Noir is light to medium-bodied, with plum, strawberry and cherry, while Chardonnay often shows white peach, melon and fig.
Producer profiles
Producers in Murray Darling
- Duxton VineyardsDuxton Vineyards is a large, vertically integrated Australian wine enterprise in the Southern Murray Darling Region, with more than 2,400 hectares of vineyards, a Buronga winery and branded wines including Pete's Pure.
- Trentham EstateMurray River family winery established in 1988 by Anthony and Patrick Murphy, farming 45 hectares of red loam over limestone with an early January harvest; fruit-forward varietals at accessible prices, with an IWSC Shiraz Trophy in 2008.