From the start, horticulture was highly important in the region. Though some wines were made very early in the region´s history (1891), the emphasis was on dried fruits.
In wine terms, the region is known as a producer of good average quality Chardonnays, mostly marketed at keen prices, a reputation now supplanting that of producer of softpack white wine. The region is in the process of transformation from an area of multi-purpose grapes for common white wines to one of good to very good varietal white wine grapes.
Melbourne ist the commercial centre of this large region. On first acquaintance, the region is generally flat and featureless, but subtle differences in height are important in affecting drainage. Its soils are the typical pink-brown "Mallee" type quite common in north-west Victoria. These sit over a limestone and clay subsoil. Irrigation is necessity and there are a large number of such shemes within the region.
Although Semillon of good quality has been reported from Lake Culluleraine, from the region itself, only Chardonnay can be said to be of interest. Its style is ripe and usually fairly forward and should be drunk within two years of vintage.
Winery (selected) from Wine country Murray-Darling
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