< Wine Grow Districts Index
Australian Capital Territory - ACT
Canberra
The vineyards of the Canberra District fall naturally into two groups. In the first are those near the border with New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, north-west of the city along the Barton Highway from Hall as far as Murrumbateman.
The second group is to the north-east along the Bungendore ridge and the north-west shore of Lake George, accessible from the Federal Highway, where the pioneer of the region, Dr Edgar Riek, planted the first vines in 1971.
With the constant threat and frequent occurrence of spring frosts, recurring droughts in spring and summer, a high diurnal temperature range (cold nights and hot summer days), and a generally cool harvest season, the region has one of the most strongly continental climates in Australia.It is a climate of extremes and one where irrigation is highly desirable if any semblance of yield consistency is to be maintained. Nevertheless, it is here that Riesling, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and quite often Pinot Noir all produce wines of considerable personality.
The topography of the region is quite varied with undulating hills and distant views of the Snowy Mountains forming a picturesque backdrop to many of the vineyards. Slope, aspect and air drainage are all important. Soils in the district are typically brownish, shallow clay loams, often overlying shale or clay with a pH ranging from neutral to mildly acidic. The sub-soils are not particularly water-retentive and thus increase the need for irrigation.
With one exception, all of the wineries in the district are small; most were founded by academics and civil servants of scientific persuasion. All rely on local and tourist cellar-door trade to whom they cater very well. However, the opening of Hardy's Kamberra winery and tourist complex on the main Sydney-Canberra road north of the city brought about a major change in perceptions, prompting a projection by Access Economics that by 2005, wine will have become the most important rural industry in the region.