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Rutherglen is a wine region within the North East Victoria zone of Australia. Located north of Beechworth and east of Glenrowan, it is Australia's most important area in terms of fortified wine production. Its Muscats and Tokays are internationally recognized for their unique style and quality. The majority of Rutherglen's vineyards are concentrated in the northern half of the region, where the Murray river separates it from New South Wales.

In line with Victoria as a whole, vines were first planted in Rutherglen during the gold rush era, which began in 1851. The region boasts some of the oldest wineries in the country, which kept their winemaking alive during the dark days of phylloxera infestation and economic downturn. It was one of the very few areas to adopt precautionary measures against phylloxera by replanting vineyards with resistant rootstocks. Modern-day Rutherglen vineyards are a mix of tradition and technological advances, demonstrated not only by its wine list – which ranges from the region's signature dessert wines to full-bodied reds, dry whites and sparkling wines – but also by the many new wineries which have made the region their home. Official recognition came in 1997 when Rutherglen was accorded GI (Geographical Indication) status.

Much of Rutherglen is a flat terrain, with the maximum altitude above sea level only reaching 550ft (170m). This, along with its inland location, makes the region's climate markedly continental. The very hot summer temperatures experienced here are ideal in terms of achieving the required must weight for fortified wines. The soil is largely alluvial in nature, thanks to deposits from the Murray river.

The most noble Muscat variety, the dark-skinned Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains, is used to produce Rutherglen's world-famous fortified wines. This grape variety is so intrinsic to the region's profile that it is more commonly referred to as Rutherglen Brown Muscat. These fortified wines display a richness and depth which is almost unparalleled. The unique winemaking process involves a slow and oxidative barrel-ageing which imparts a complex array of flavors variously described as caramel, toffee, butterscotch, sweet spices, molasses, tea liquor and cassis liqueur. 

Tokay (France's Muscadelle) is the other important grape variety here, used to make a unique style of fortified wine. The premium examples can be as good as the region's Muscat wines, if not better.

Among Rutherglen's table wines, Shiraz leads the way, with deep-colored and full-bodied wines – often with higher than average alcohol levels. Other red varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon and regional specialties such as Durif and Mondeuse, which are often blended with Shiraz.