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The VitUM pre-symposium tour of South Eastern Australian Wine Regions
20th – 23rd November 2008
As part of the Eighth International Symposium of Grapevine Physiology & Biotechnology, 21 participants including 14 international visitors led by the Viticulture group at the University of Melbourne (VitUM) participated in a 4 day pre-symposium tour. Commencing in Melbourne on November 20 and traversing South Eastern Australia to arrive at the symposium venue in Adelaide on November 23. The tour explored the heart of Australia’s super premium wine industry and its curious and diverse Flora and Fauna. Featuring short presentations/discussions at the end of each day (over regional wines and produce) led by the VitUM group.
The tour began on Melbourne’s doorstep in the picturesque Yarra Valley, a region boasting over 55 wineries and a burgeoning wine tourism industry, before winding its way out of ‘the valley’ and through the majestic Mountain Ash forests that cover much of Melbourne’s water catchments. Amidst these towering ancient forests featuring the world’s largest flowering plant (Eucalyptus regnans) and tucked into a backdrop of beautiful fern gullies the group explored the topical issue of urban water security and Australia’s recent drought, the worst in recorded history. Leaving the forest, the tour will traversed the Strathbogie Ranges, home to higher altitude vineyards perched on granitic outcrops, before making its way to the vineyards and wineries of Goulburn Valley , Bendigo and Heathcote, which are renowned for producing premium and super premium red wines. These regions allowed the group to visit some ‘organic’ vineyards and discuss the issue of organic and biodynamic viticulture with practitioners. The tour spent its first night in the heritage city of Bendigo, a town made rich during the gold rush years of the 1800’s.
On day 2, the Victorian leg of the tour commenced with traverses of the Grampians and the Pyrenees wine regions of Western Victoria, including a visit to the historic wineries of Great Western and the highly respected Mount Langi Ghirhan cool climate Shiraz vineyard. After crossing the border the group stayed overnight in Penola in the heart of the Coonawarra wine region.
The South Australian leg of the tour began on day 3 with the important wine regions of Coonawarra (home to the famous Terra Rossa soils) featuring the highly regarded Coonawarra reds and Padthaway, where a variety of traditional and modern ‘lower-input’ vineyard management practices were compared and contrasted. The group explored the management issues faced by the people of the lakes region and Coorong National Park. We stayed overnight in Victor Harbour, a town blessed with stunning coastal scenery, spectacular bird life and migratory whales.
Day 4 featured a meander through the picturesque Adelaide Hills, home to some of the most beautiful cool climate vineyards in Australia nestled among native Australian ‘bushland’ on route to the vineyards and wineries of the Barossa Valley. Barossa Valley is Australia’s most well known wine region and home to a rich cultural heritage reflected in its ‘big Shiraz’ wines and carefully crafted food. Following visits to two iconic wineries in the Barossa the tour made its way to Adelaide in time for the pre-symposium reception on Sunday evening November 23rd.
A fantastic time was had by all with a wonderful group. Many lasting friendships were formed and the group has vowed to remain in contact. We hope that there will be chances for cooperative collaboration in the future.