Beechworth Wine Region

Enjoy one of the most diverse wine growing ecologies found anywhere in world... unfolding from the continental side of Victoria's Alpine slopes, Beechworth enjoys one of the most diverse wine growing ecosystems found anywhere in world. Since European settlement in the 1800s, this unique pocket of Victoria's high country has delivered gold, quartz, nuts, fruits and some of Australia's most sought after vineyards. The first known vineyard was established in the 1850s and for a time, grapes dominated the landscape. By 1892 it was reported that 32 wine growers were in Beechworth, producing approximately 40,000Ltrs pa. The late 1800s wine production plummeted, with possible reasons that lend towards WWI combined with the phylloxera in Victoria, and other socio demographic shifts impacting the industry. By 1916 only 6 acres were still under vine. Only a handful of private vineyards remained until 1945, when Vin Capriotti, established vines at Everton Hills. The property was acquired by Brown Brothers in 1950. It was around the late 1970s that the Beechworth experienced a wine renaissance, due largely to the Smith family, followed by Rick Kinzbrunner who established a vineyard between Everton Hills and Beechworth in 1980. In the years since, Beechworth wine growers continue to strive to produce wines of exceptional quality and consistency - some being toted as the best in the country.