Top Australian wine regions in 2024
Below are the top 10 wine regions of 2024. We're spoiled for choice when it comes to Australian wine regions, and it's clear that touring the wealth of wineries and cellar doors was a priority over the last 12 months. Tasmania has taken out top spot for the second year in a row, along with regions around Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia all featured.
Western Australia's Margaret River has come in at second, and after a standout year, the Yarra Valley rounds out the top three.
Orange, Mudgee and the Hunter Valley led the charge for New South Wales. In South Australia the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills were your top picks. And in Victoria you visited Heathcote.
1. Tasmania
Tasmania is Australia's coldest wine region, famed for world-class sparkling, chardonnay and pinot noir. While Tasmania is recognised as one geographical indicator, it is comprised of the following (unofficial) subregions: Huon Valley, Channel Country (D'Entrecasteaux Channel), The Derwent Valley, Coal River Valley, East Coast, Tamar Valley, Pipers River, Relbia.
2. Margaret River, WA
Margaret River is a three-hour drive from Perth, and sits on the rugged coast between Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste. The region is home to some of Australia's most iconic producers, and many five-star wineries. The key varietals are sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and shiraz.
3. Yarra Valley, VIC
The Yarra Valley, a one-hour drive from Melbourne's CBD, is home to some of Australia's best expressions on chardonnay and pinot noir, along with shiraz and cabernet. James Halliday says of the region, "Once you have seen it, you cannot help but love it." It's been a stellar year for the Yarra Valley, with the region taking out the Wine of the Year and Winery of the Year at the 2025 Halliday Awards.
4. Orange, NSW
Orange is one of the highest cool-climate regions in the country, its elevation allows winemakers to produce diverse styles, along with key varieties: sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon and merlot, shiraz, and more recently, sparkling.
5. Barossa Valley, SA
The Barossa Valley is one of Australia's most famous wine regions, and hosts some of the world's oldest-producing vines. The region has a Mediterranean climate, which makes it perfect for producing riesling, semillon, grenache, cabernet sauvignon and shiraz.
6. Mudgee, NSW
Mudgee is one of Australia's oldest wine regions, it was established in the mid-1800s, and is famed for shiraz, chardonnay, riesling and , and most recently alternative varieties such as barbera, sangiovese, tempranillo and vermentino. It’s a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney to Mudgee, which makes the wine region an excellent destination for a weekend escape.
7. Hunter Valley, NSW
While the Hunter Valley is Australia's oldest wine region, it's also one of the most experimental and collaborative wine communities. Two hours' north of Sydney, the Hunter Valley is comprised of Pokolbin, Broke Fordwich, Lovedale, the Wollombi Valley and Mount View. Key varietals include semillon, verdelho, chardonnay and shiraz.
8. McLaren Vale, SA
Just a 45-minute drive from Adelaide, McLaren Vale is famed for its impressive quality, especially when it comes to grenache, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay. The region sits on the Fleurieu Peninsula, between the Gulf St Vincent and the Mount Lofty Ranges, which provides a Mediterranean climate.
9. Adelaide Hills, SA
The Adelaide Hills is a cool-climate wine region just 20 minutes from Adelaide's CBD. Its wines are fruit-forward and elegant. The region's high elevation – with sites between 400 and 700 metres – allows sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and pinot noir to shine.
10. Heathcote, VIC
Heathcote is just a 90-minute drive from Melbourne. The region's soils are millions of years old, but the region is relatively young. It's one of Victoria's largest producing shiraz regions, but is also a hub from for Italian red varieties.
Expand your knowledge with Halliday Wine Academy
Halliday Wine Academy offers an in-depth view of the Australian and international wine landscapes. Select Introduction to Wine to learn about Australian wine and regions or choose Wines of the World (part one) to get to know international wines.Through Introduction to Wine, students will learn about Australian wine and wine regions, how wine is made, how to taste and describe wine, how to approach food and wine matches, along with handy tips that address common wine questions. And in part one of our Wines of the World course, discover and explore the iconic wines, regions and laws of France, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Germany and Austria.
