The Canberra wine region is located around Canberra, in the Capital city of Australia. It is located at 35°0’S, 149°20’E Wine is grown and produced at or near and in a triangular area of about 60km sides bordered by Canberra, Yass, and Bungendore, taking in the important sub-regions of Murrumbateman and Lake George. This is noted as a cool-climate wine area, despite having regular summer day temperatures of over 35C and occasionally over 40C.

History

This industry dates from the 1970s, although there is evidence that wines were produced from soon after the first European settlement near Yass in the 1820s.

Geography and climate

The region is a tableland of the Great Dividing Range about 150km inland from the Pacific Ocean. The region is dry and requires drip irrigation.

• Annual rainfall: 630 mm
• Mean January (late growth period) temp: 20.2°C
• Sunshine hours per day: 7.4

Production

Varieties (mainly): Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Pinot

Picking / Vintages: Late March (Traminer, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay) to early May (Cabernet Sauvignon)

There are 21 wineries in the region. Large producers are:
Brindabella Hills Winery, Clonakilla, Helm Wines, Jeir Creek Wines (http://www.jeircreekwines.com.au), Lake George Winery (http://www.lakegeorgewinery.com.au), Lark Hill (http://www.larkhill.com.au), Rosehill Vineyard, Yass Valley Wines

External links

• Canberra Wines (http://www.canberrawines.asn.au)