Victoria is one of Australia's most exciting wine states.
From the cool-climate vineyards of the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula to the ancient soils of Heathcote and the high country of Beechworth, Victoria offers an incredible variety of wine styles — often within a few hours of Melbourne.
While some Victorian wineries are internationally famous, many of the most exciting discoveries come from smaller family-owned producers quietly making exceptional wines.
Here's our guide to Victoria's major wine regions and the wines worth looking for.
Yarra Valley
Just over an hour from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is one of Australia's best-known cool-climate wine regions.
The region is particularly famous for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but its Cabernet Sauvignon is also highly regarded.
Yarra Valley wines tend to emphasise elegance, freshness and balance rather than sheer power.
Best known for: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon
Why visit: Beautiful vineyards, excellent restaurants and cellar doors, all within easy reach of Melbourne.
Mornington Peninsula
Surrounded by water on three sides, the Mornington Peninsula has a distinctly cool maritime climate.
It has developed an outstanding reputation for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with many producers focusing on small-batch, site-driven wines.
Pinot Noir from the region can be fragrant, silky and savoury, while Chardonnay ranges from delicate and mineral to richer, more textured styles.
Best known for: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Why visit: Stunning scenery, beaches, restaurants and some of Australia's most exciting cool-climate wines.
Heathcote
Heathcote is one of Victoria's great red wine regions.
Its ancient Cambrian soils are particularly well suited to Shiraz, producing wines with concentration, structure and distinctive savoury character.
The region is home to both established producers and smaller wineries making increasingly interesting wines.
Best known for: Shiraz
Why visit: Exceptional red wines and a strong sense of regional character.
Beechworth
Located in the foothills of the Victorian Alps, Beechworth is a small but highly regarded wine region.
Its elevation, cool climate and granite soils create ideal conditions for elegant and structured wines.
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz are particularly worth exploring.
Best known for: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz
Why visit: Beautiful high-country scenery, historic towns and distinctive cool-climate wines.
Macedon Ranges
Macedon Ranges is one of mainland Australia's coolest wine regions.
The high elevation and cool conditions are particularly suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, producing wines with vibrant acidity, finesse and freshness.
The region also produces some excellent sparkling wines.
Best known for: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, sparkling wine
Why visit: Beautiful mountain landscapes and boutique wineries.
Gippsland
Gippsland stretches across a huge part of eastern Victoria and contains a fascinating mix of climates and landscapes.
It doesn't have the same international profile as the Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula, but that's part of its appeal.
Small producers are making excellent Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and other cool-climate varieties, often offering outstanding value.
Best known for: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Why visit: Discover emerging producers and wines that are still flying under the radar.
Geelong
Geelong's proximity to Port Phillip Bay gives the region a relatively cool maritime climate.
It has developed a reputation for elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as well as Shiraz and other varieties.
The region's diverse soils and sub-regions give local winemakers plenty of opportunities to produce distinctive wines.
Best known for: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz
Pyrenees
Located in western Victoria, the Pyrenees is particularly known for its red wines.
Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are the region's traditional strengths, producing wines with depth, structure and plenty of character.
It is a region well worth exploring if you enjoy classic Australian reds.
Best known for: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
Grampians
The Grampians is one of Victoria's oldest wine regions and has a particularly strong reputation for Shiraz.
The cooler climate and rugged landscape can produce wines that are savoury, peppery and structured rather than simply rich and powerful.
Best known for: Shiraz
Rutherglen
Rutherglen is famous for something quite different.
The region has a long history of producing fortified wines, particularly Muscat, with some examples capable of extraordinary ageing.
It also produces excellent table wines, including Durif and other rich red varieties.
Best known for: Muscat, Durif
King Valley
The King Valley is one of Victoria's most diverse wine regions.
Italian heritage has had a major influence here, and you'll find varieties such as Prosecco, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo and Arneis alongside more traditional Australian varieties.
It's a fantastic region for wine drinkers who like trying something different.
Best known for: Prosecco, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Chardonnay, Shiraz
Victoria's Wine Regions at a Glance
| Region | Best Known For | Approx. From Melbourne |
|---|---|---|
| Yarra Valley | Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet | 1 hour |
| Mornington Peninsula | Pinot Noir, Chardonnay | 1.5 hours |
| Heathcote | Shiraz | 1.5 hours |
| Beechworth | Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz | 3 hours |
| Macedon Ranges | Pinot Noir, Chardonnay | 1 hour |
| Gippsland | Pinot Noir, Chardonnay | 1–3 hours |
| Geelong | Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz | 1 hour |
| Pyrenees | Shiraz, Cabernet | 2 hours |
| Grampians | Shiraz | 2.5 hours |
| Rutherglen | Muscat, Durif | 3 hours |
| King Valley | Prosecco, Italian varieties | 3 hours |
You Don't Have to Travel to Discover Victoria's Wines
One of the best things about living in Melbourne is having access to so many outstanding wine regions within a few hours' drive.
But you don't necessarily have to visit every cellar door to discover what Victoria has to offer.
At Purvis Cellars, we're constantly tasting wines from producers across Victoria and searching for interesting bottles from both established wineries and smaller, lesser-known producers.
Some of our favourite Victorian wines come from names you may never have heard of.
That's what makes exploring wine so much fun.
Explore Victoria, One Bottle at a Time
Victoria's wine industry is incredibly diverse.
You can enjoy delicate Pinot Noir from Mornington Peninsula, powerful Shiraz from Heathcote, elegant Chardonnay from the Yarra Valley or something completely different from King Valley — all within the same state.
So the next time you're choosing a bottle, look beyond the grape variety.
Look at the region.
You might discover an entirely new side of Australian wine.
Explore our range of Victorian wines at Purvis Cellars and discover some of the producers and regions we're excited about.