Australia’s Hidden Wine Gem: Canberra District
By Amber Gibson
This lesser known wine region is located just outside Australia’s capital and produces great Riesling and Shiraz
“Canberra is off the beaten path when it comes to wine regions, even for Australians. After a brief flirtation with winemaking in the 19th century, the region was dormant until 1971, when CSIRO scientists (basically the Australian equivalent of the US Geological Survey), inspired by what they discovered about terroir, vineyard location, and grape variety, planted vines.. Over the past 50 years, Canberra has attracted vintners and winemakers interested in experimenting with cool climate varieties, with a particular focus on Riesling and Shiraz.. The district is home to more than 140 wineries within 35 minutes’ drive from the city center, as well as 35 cellar doors open to the public. You’d be hard-pressed to find any of these wines outside of New South Wales.”