New South Wales

New South Wales is an Australian wine powerhouse, accounting for almost a third of Australia’s output. The state has 16 wine regions, resulting in a huge amount of diversity in the terroir and climate and allowing for a range of varieties to be grown, each with their own distinctive trademark flavours. Although NSW is Australia’s second largest wine producing state, it’s also the most populated state, resulting in more wine being consumed than produced.

If you’re seeking a stunning white wine, that search may just end here. With over half of the wine produced in NSW being white grape varieties, it would be hard not to find something palate pleasing. The most famed variety is Sémillon, with a particular focus on produce from the Hunter Valley – the country’s oldest continuous wine region and home to over 150 premium wine producers. An honourable mention goes out to the Rieslings and Chardonnays that flow from the state’s regions.

Speaking of Chardonnay, not only was NSW the state where the first Australian Chardonnay was planted, it’s also the country’s oldest wine region. The grapes were brought over on the first fleet to arrive in the country and planted in Sydney Cove in 1788. Since then, the number of wineries has exploded to over 485, boasting over 330 cellar doors and over 40,000 hectares under vine.