Yarra Valley Wine Guide: Grapes, Appellations & Producers

Warmer valley floor

Soil: Older grey-brown loam on the warmer valley floor.
Style: Fuller Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and elegant, peppery cool-climate Shiraz.
Top sites: Around Yarra Glen and Coldstream.
Vintages: 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021
Producers: Yarra YeringYeringbergOakridge

Tip · Victoria's Yarra is Australia's cool-climate benchmark, and it makes superb traditional-method sparkling too (Domaine Chandon is here).

Value pick

Oakridge 'Local Vineyard Series' Chardonnay · ~$30

Tight, flinty, Burgundy-leaning Yarra Chardonnay from a consistent star — serious cool-climate white for the money.

Collector pick

Yarra Yering 'Dry Red No.1' · ~$90 · 2019

A historic Yarra Bordeaux-blend from old vines — elegant, structured and collected.

Cooler, higher slopes

Soil: Red volcanic soils at higher, cooler altitude.
Style: Pristine, elegant, perfumed Pinot Noir and tightly mineral Chardonnay.
Top sites: Higher sites toward the Warburton ranges.
Vintages: 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021
Producers: Giant StepsMac Forbes

Tip · The cooler, higher Upper Yarra is the source of Australia's most ethereal, Burgundy-like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Value pick

Giant Steps Yarra Valley Pinot Noir · ~$35

Bright, perfumed, finely structured cool-climate Pinot from a benchmark producer — regional class below single-vineyard prices.

Collector pick

Mount Mary 'Quintet' · ~$130 · 2019

A cult Yarra Cabernet blend of great finesse — one of Australia's most coveted reds.