Geelong is a wine region in the Port Phillip zone of Victoria, located 50 miles (75km) south-west of Melbourne. It produces high-quality wines made from a wide range of varieties, but Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Shiraz are the most important.
Wine growing began here in the 1850s, when the Victorian gold rush attracted Swiss-Italians from the Ticino province of Switzerland, who planted the first vines. These early attempts at producing wine came to an abrupt halt in the 1880s, due to the effects of phylloxera, and it took almost a century for the industry to be revived. Renewed interest was sparked by recognition of the quality of Geelong's grape-growing conditions. The region was awarded GI (Geographical Indication) status in 1996.
Geelong is strongly influenced by its proximity to Port Phillip Bay and the Bass Strait, which deliver cool winds throughout the year – giving it a cool maritime climate with a prolonged growing season and thus an extended ripening period. This leads to a longer hang time for the grapes, resulting in a rich concentration of aroma and color pigments (anthocyanins) in the wines. These terroir-expressive wines are also affected by the Geelong's varied soil types, consisting of limestone, dark volcanic elements and reddish-brown clays and loams. Variable altitudes also play a part, ranging from 65 to 500ft (20–150m).
The wine list of the region is long and interesting, with almost all the major international grape varieties being grown here. Chardonnay is one of the region's most regarded, and Geelong grapes produce some stunning examples with an impressive depth of flavor and complexity. If nurtured carefully, some of the top wines can age in the bottle for a long period, developing nuances reminiscent of premium Burgundy Chardonnays. Geelong's Shiraz is characterized by its own style, with spicy aroma profiles integrated into ripe and elegant fruits, and impressively deep colors. Pinot Noir produces high-quality varietal and sparkling wines.
A plethora of other grapes perform well in the region, including cool climate varieties such as Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris. Viognier is another white grape attracting a lot of attention here. Other notable red varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot.
