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The ViTUM Tour of South Eastern Australian Wine Regions
This 4 day pre-symposium tour led by the Viticulture group at the University of Melbourne (ViTUM) will commence in Melbourne on November 20 and traverse the South Eastern Australia to arrive at the symposium venue, Adelaide, on November 23. The tour will explore the heart of Australia's super premium wine industry and its curious and diverse Flora and Fauna. The tour will feature short presentations/discussions at the end of each day (over regional wines and produce) led by the ViTUM group.
The tour will begin on Melbourne's doorstep in the picturesque Yarra Valley, a region boasting over 55 wineries and a burgeoning wine tourism industry, before winding its way out of 'the valley' and through the majestic Mountain Ash forests that cover much of Melbourne's water catchments. Amidst these towering ancient forests featuring the world's largest flowering plant (Eucalyptus regnans) and tucked into a backdrop of beautiful fern gullies the group will explore the topical issue of urban water security and Australia's recent drought, the worst in recorded history. Leaving the forest, the tour will traverse the Strathbogie Ranges, home to higher altitude vineyards perched on granitic outcrops, before making its way to the vineyards and wineries of Goulburn Valley , Bendigo and Heathcote, which are renowned for producing premium and super premium red wines. These regions will allow the group to visit some 'organic' vineyards and discuss the issue of organic and biodynamic viticulture with practitioners. The tour will spend its first night in the heritage city of Bendigo, a town made rich during the gold rush years of the 1800s.
As the Yarra and Goulburn Valley wine regions are Phylloxera infected, the group will not enter any vineyards in these regions to observe current phylloxera protocols and avoid any risk of spreading infection.
On day 2 the Victorian leg of the tour will conclude with traverses of the Grampians and the Pyrenees wine regions of Western Victoria, including a visit to the historic wineries of Great Western and the highly respected Mount Langi Ghiran cool climate Shiraz vineyard. After crossing the border the group will overnight in Penola in the heart of the Coonawarra wine region.
The South Australian leg of the tour will begin on day 3 with the important wine regions of Coonawarra (home to the famous Terra Rossa soils) featuring the highly regarded Coonawarra reds and Padthaway, where a variety of traditional and modern 'lower-input' vineyard management practices will be compared and contrasted. We will overnight in Victor Harbour, a town blessed with stunning coastal scenery, spectacular bird life and migratory whales.
Day 4 will feature a meander through the picturesque Adelaide Hills, home to some of the most beautiful cool climate vineyards in Australia nestled among native Australian 'bushland' on route to the vineyards and wineries of the Barossa Valley. Barossa Valley is Australia's most well known wine region and home to a rich cultural heritage reflected in its 'big Shiraz' wines and carefully crafted food. Following visits to two iconic wineries in the Barossa the tour will make its way to Adelaide in time for the pre-symposium reception on Sunday evening November 23rd.
The cost of this pre-symposium tour of the South Eastern Australian Wine Regions is $A800 per person. This will be all inclusive for transport accommodation and all meals. Discounts are available for couples.
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