New South Wales

Australia’s first vines were planted in New South Wales on the Farm Cove foreshore. The first commercial wine was made there, and the first wine exported to England – by Gregory Blaxland in 1823. Given the size and climate diversity of NSW and its large population, it is surprising that the state does not play a bigger role in Australian wine. It is a state of great contrasts, from the huge, flat expanse of irrigated vineyards in the Riverina area near Griffith to the high uplands of Mudgee in the north. The Hunter Valley is the most recognised region within NSW, famous for its long-lived Semillons and unique styled Shiraz. Riverina is the largest wine-producing region. The more recent viticultural developments are within the regions along the Great Dividing Range: Mudgee, Orange, Cowra, Hilltops etc. There is much promise and interest in the wines now being produced within these regions.