Why Beechworth Never Stops Surprising Us
A Sydney trade tasting reminded us why this small Victorian wine region continues to produce some of Australia’s most compelling wines.
There are wine regions that become synonymous with a single variety. Then there’s Beechworth.
Hosted by the Beechworth Vignerons Association, the annual Beechworth Trade Tasting brought many of the region’s leading producers to Sydney’s The International, offering trade, media and wine professionals the opportunity to explore the latest releases from one of Australia’s most respected cool-climate wine regions.
What connects them all isn’t a particular grape variety. It’s an uncompromising commitment to quality and a genuine willingness to keep pushing boundaries.
Beyond Australia’s Chardonnay Capital
If you’ve followed The Wined Up for a while, you’ll know we have a bit of a soft spot for Beechworth.
When we produced our Australia’s Favourite Chardonnay series, two of our favourite Chardonnays came from this small Victorian wine region. That’s no coincidence.
So when the Beechworth Vignerons Association invited us to their annual trade tasting at The International in Sydney, we knew we were in for a great afternoon. What we didn’t expect was to be reminded just how much more Beechworth offers beyond Chardonnay.
Walking through the tasting, we moved effortlessly between Riesling, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah, Albariño and Spanish-inspired blends. Rather than chasing trends, each producer seemed focused on expressing their own corner of Beechworth.
That individuality is what makes tasting across the region so rewarding. No two producers taste alike, yet there is a common thread of balance, precision and restraint running through every glass.
Producers We Always Look Forward To
Some wineries naturally become the first stop at every tasting.
Keppell’s Savaterre is one of them. We’ve admired Savaterre’s wines for years and this tasting only reinforced why. Every wine showed remarkable purity and precision, from the Chardonnay through to the Pinot Noir and Syrah. They continue to represent the benchmark style we’ve come to associate with Beechworth.
Equally exciting was catching up with Raquel from Weathercraft Wines. Her embrace of Spanish varieties demonstrates another side of the region. One that’s innovative, curious and unafraid to explore varieties that thrive in Beechworth’s unique climate.
It’s producers like these that keep every visit fresh, even when you’ve tasted their wines many times before.
Familiar Faces and New Conversations
One of the pleasures of trade tastings is reconnecting with producers while discovering new stories behind the labels.
Mark Walpole’s Fighting Gully Road once again impressed with a beautifully balanced range, but it was his Sangiovese Rosé that immediately caught our attention. Bright, savoury and full of energy, it was one of those wines that disappeared from the glass far too quickly.
We finally got to try the Sentio Wines line up as well as the refreshed Catlow & Company label. Elegant, thoughtful and quietly confident.
We’ve heard a lot about Castagna wines and it was a pleasure meeting Julian and trying his wines for the first time. It’s easy to see why Castagna has earned such a loyal following among Australian wine lovers.
Marc was on pour at Piano Piano, taking us through the range and sharing the story behind the label. Hearing why the winery chose the name Piano Piano, in Italian it means “slowly, slowly”, which made perfect sense. It reflects a relaxed approach to life and wine, something that came through in the Pinot Grigio.
The People Make the Region
Exceptional wines always begin with exceptional people. That’s perhaps what stood out most throughout the afternoon.
Every producer was generous with their time, happy to discuss vintages, vineyard decisions and why particular varieties continue to flourish in Beechworth’s cool-climate conditions.
Jeremy from VS&B poured a beautifully expressive Riesling that reminded us just how well the region handles aromatic whites. Nearby, Sorrenberg‘s reds once again demonstrated the finesse and longevity that have earned the winery such a loyal following.
These conversations add another layer to every bottle. They transform wine from simply something enjoyable to drink into something deeply connected to people and place.
Why Beechworth Continues to Lead
As we walked back through the venue, one thought kept resurfacing. There are very few Australian wine regions producing such a consistently high standard across so many varieties.
Beechworth has earned its reputation through decades of careful viticulture, thoughtful winemaking and producers who continue to challenge themselves rather than simply repeating past success.
That’s what keeps us coming back. Every visit uncovers another bottle worth sharing, another conversation worth having and another producer quietly raising the bar.
For wine lovers planning their next regional escape, Beechworth remains one of Australia’s most rewarding destinations. Not because every winery makes the same style of wine, but because each one offers something genuinely distinctive. Each with their own finger print.
Planning a Trip?
If you’re inspired to visit Beechworth, don’t make it just a day trip. Stay a few nights and discover why this historic town is one of Australia’s most rewarding food and wine destinations.
You can fly into Albury, with Beechworth just a 45-minute drive away, or enjoy a scenic three-hour drive from Melbourne. Travelling from Sydney? It’s around six hours by car, making it perfect for a long weekend.
We based ourselves in a charming Airbnb, which gave us the flexibility to explore the region at our own pace and really soak up everything Beechworth has to offer.
You Might Also Enjoy
- 🏡 Stay: A cosy Airbnb in the heart of Beechworth
- 🍺 Last St Brewery (formerly Billson’s Brewery) – Family Friendly
- 🍯 Beechworth Honey – An iconic local stop for honey tastings, gifts and sweet treats.
- 🍷 Cellar Doors – Bookings essential
