Greater Melbourne, Victoria is surrounded by several wine regions, each with its own unique climate and varietals. The Yarra Valley, located an hour away, is known for producing elegant Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Shiraz with high acidity levels that pair well with food. The Mornington Peninsula, a cool-climate region south of Melbourne, is recognized for its sophisticated Pinot Noir and Chardonnay due to its maritime climate and sandy soils.
Heathcote, situated in central Victoria, is a warm climate region producing rich, full-bodied red wines, particularly Shiraz, with intense fruit flavors and firm tannins from its red soil and warm climate. Rutherglen, in the northeast, is famous for fortified wines like Muscat of Rutherglen and the spicy Durif grape, known for its intense flavors and mouth-drying tannins, thanks to hot summers and cool nights. These wine regions offer a range of distinctive wines tailored to individual preferences for visitors to enjoy.