Clare Valley wine region

Clare Valley

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

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. The Clare Valley wine region was registered as an Australian Geographical Indication on 25 March 1997.

The wines are planted from 400 to 500 metres (1,300 to 1,600 ft). 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.

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.