Although the first vineyards were only planted 30 years ago, the Blackwood Valley wine region in Western Australia is already home to over 50 vineyards producing wines of excellent quality. It's also home to the longest river in the area, flowing continually for about 270km into the sea at Flinders Bay. The region covers the undulating hills and dips around the towns of Nannup, Boyup Brook, Balingup, Greenbrushes and Bridgetown. The vineyards may be relatively new, but wine history stretches back about a hundred years. The story goes that a young vine brought from Bridgetown as a switch for horses was planted and then left to grow into what is now a single giant grapevine, famous all over the country and believed to be the biggest vine in the world.
Climate
Blackwood Valley shares the climate characteristics of neighbouring region Margaret River, but the overall temperatures are slightly lower thanks to the continental influence that sometimes brings frost in the spring. The summers are cool and dry with warmer, wetter winters. The textures and consistencies of the soil differ depending on where the vineyard is situated. The soil is thinner on the slopes than it is on the floors of the valleys, but overall, the loamy well-drained soil gives way to good yields during harvest times between February and April.
Wineries
Blackwood Crest in the north-east is the oldest and best-known winery in the region, famous as the first of its kind established in 1976. Max Fairbrass planted the first vineyards and today he's still producing Chardonnay, Shiraz, Riesling, Sauvognon Blanc, Semillon and a few fortified wines.
You’ll find more wineries from Blackwood Valley wine region by clicking here: Wineries from Blackwood Valley
Visit these boutique wineries to grow your knowledge of boutique wine and boutique wineries:
