Clare Valley wine region

This article is about the wine region in South Australia. For the valley in South Australia, see Clare Valley. For other uses, see Clare Valley (disambiguation).
Clare Valley
Wine region

Vineyards in Clare Valley
Type Australian Geographical Indication
Year established 1999[1]
Country Australia
Part of Mount Lofty Ranges zone
Sub-regions Polish Hill Valley & Watervale (both unofficial)[2]
Climate region ’I’
Heat units 1770[3]
Precipitation (annual average) 200 millimetres (7.9 in)[3]
Size of planted vineyards 5,339 hectares (13,190 acres)[4]
No. of vineyards at least 200 growers[5]
Grapes produced 19,796 tonnes (19,483 long tons; 21,821 short tons)[6]
Varietals produced Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Merlot [4]
No. of wineries at least 48[7]
Comments 2012 & 2014

The Clare Valley wine region is one of Australia's oldest wine regions, best known for Riesling wines. It lies in the Mid North of South Australia, approximately 120 km north of Adelaide. The valley runs north-south, with Horrocks Highway as the main thoroughfare.

Extent and appellation

Clare Valley wine region covers an area adjoining the both sides of the Horrocks Highway as it passes through the town of Clare near its northern extent and the town of Auburn near its southern extent. The region is located at the northern end of the Mount Lofty Ranges zone with its southern extent being about 100 kilometres (62 mi) north of the Adelaide city centre.[1][8][9] The Clare Valley wine region was registered as an Australian Geographical Indication on 25 March 1997.[1]

History

Pre-European settlement

The original inhabitants of the Clare Valley were the Ngadjuri people. It is believed that they had major camping sites at Clare and Auburn, as well as other areas outside the valley.[10]

European settlement

The first European to reportedly explore the region was John Hill, who arrived in South Australia on the Currency Lass in 1837. He explored the Clare Valley district in early April 1839,[11] discovering and naming the Hutt River. Its nearby twin, the Hill River, was later discovered and named in his honour. On returning to Adelaide, he reported his findings of potentially good farmland to his friend and associate, Edward John Eyre. Eyre in turn informed John Horrocks, who had only arrived in the new colony in March 1839. Eyre later explored the Clare Valley on the return journey from his second 1839 expedition to the northern regions of South Australia. Horrocks set out with his servant, John Green and established himself in the area now known as Penwortham. This became the first permanent settlement in the valley. By 1840, Edward Burton Gleeson had set up the Inchiquin pastoral run to the north which was later developed into the town of Clare and in 1848, Jesuits were settling into the place which would become the town of Sevenhill. Settlers from England and Ireland, as well as more diverse places such as Poland and Silesia continued to progress into the region during the 1840s, producing a rich heritage of architecture and villages, which remain largely intact. Vineyards were planted alongside those first villages and winemaking has continued ever since.

Modern times

The Clare Valley Region today hosts a vibrant, diversified rural community and economy. The delightful rolling hills create beautiful landscapes, dotted with wonderful stone buildings. Notable among the nearby ranges are the Skilly Hills. The Region attracts many discerning tourists, both domestic and international, who delight and relax in the friendly environment. Major attractions include the unique, boutique wineries and cellar doors, treed landscapes that can be easily accessed on The Riesling Trail, the fine stone buildings and homes, and the excellent local cuisine. Regular markets create opportunities to mix with the locals and immerse yourself in unique activities. On 16 February 1983, the Clare Valley was devastated by bushfires during the Ash Wednesday disaster. Although there were no fatalities in the area, over 6,100 hectares were burnt out, causing $5 million worth of damage.[12] The railway line between the Clare Showgrounds and Penwortham was severely damaged, and resulted in its eventual demise. The old rail route has since been transformed into a popular bicycle riding track known as the Riesling Trail. This 35 km sealed trail links the villages of the valley. Tourists worldwide travel to the Clare Valley to cycle the 'Riesling Trail', sampling the famous Clare Valley Riesling along the way.

Soil and climate

The wines are planted from 400 to 500 metres (1,300 to 1,600 ft).[13] The climate is moderately continental, with cool to cold nights and warm to hot summer days. The higher altitude, compared to other wine regions in South Australia, ensures cool nights even during the heat of summer allowing the fruit to ripen more evenly and slowly. Rainfall is predominantly in winter - spring (June - September) with an annual average of around 630 mm. Summers are dry and make irrigation desirable but also ensure a minimum of fungal diseases. Varied soil types throughout the valleys are another feature, ranging from red to brown grey over basement rock.

Grape varieties

The most important white variety is Riesling, with the Clare Valley regarded as its Australian home. Principal red varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. They make a range of styles of varietal wines, reflecting different approaches to winemaking as well as the influences of the various sub-regions and micro-climates in the valleys. Many other lesser varieties are also grown, including Chardonnay, Semillion, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo and Grenache. The Clare Valley Region contributes around 2% of the Australian national grape crush, but wins over 7% of all medals awarded for Australian wine.

As of 2014, the most common plantings in the Clare Valley wine region within a total planted area of 5,339 hectares (13,190 acres) was reported as being Shiraz (34.9%) followed by Cabernet Sauvignon (22.3%), Riesling (21.8%) and Merlot (5.4%). Alternatively, red wine varietals account for 68.2% of plantings while white wines varietals account for 31.4% of plantings.[4] The 2014 vintage is reported as consisting of 11,921 tonnes (11,733 long tons; 13,141 short tons) of red grapes crushed valued at A$14,235,653 and 7,875 tonnes (7,751 long tons; 8,681 short tons) of white grapes crushed valued at $7,451,398.[6]

Regional facts

The region has more than 48 wineries,[7] most of which are small and produce only bottled wine.

See also

Citations and references

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 "Clare Valley". Australian Grape and Wine Authority. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  2. ↑ Halliday, 2012, pages 52-53
  3. 1 2 Halliday, James. "Clare Valley Wine Region". Wine Companion. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 PGIBSA, 2014, page 43
  5. ↑ "Home page". Clare Region Winegrape Growers Association. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 PGIBSA, 2014, page 41
  7. 1 2 Halliday, 2012, page 753
  8. ↑ Phylloxera and Grape Industry Board of SA "Clare Valley Wine Region (map)" Check |url= value (help) (PDF). 26 July 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  9. ↑ PGIBSA, 2014, page 7
  10. ↑ Noye, Robert J. (1980). CLARE – A District History. Hawthorndene, South Australia: Investigator Press. pp. 216–218.
  11. ↑ Stratton, J., (ed) (1986). Biographical Index of South Australians 1836 – 1885 Volume II. Adelaide, South Australia: SA Genealogy and Heraldry Society. p. 741.
  12. ↑ "26 years on, Clare remembers Ash Wednesday". ABC North and West SA. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  13. ↑ Oz, Clark. Australian Wine Companion. Time Warner Books. pp. 54–57.

References

External links

Coordinates: 33°53′S 138°36′E / 33.883°S 138.600°E / -33.883; 138.600

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