However, there are some important compensations. Wines produced in the extremes of a cool climate tend to retain higher levels of acid and have quite a different profile of flavours to fruit from warmer climates. For example, cool climate Chardonnay tends to be more minerally and display more citrus-like characters. This creates more elegant wines that are natural combinations with food - they marry with food rather than dominate.

Ballarat's climate sits somewhere between that of Launceston and Hobart, and is particularly well suited to the production of great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In particular, for ideal development, the delicate flavours of Pinot Noir demand a cool climate. Ballarat's climate delivers a gentle, prolonged ripening period - with average maximum temperatures of 25º or below for this critical ripening period. Indeed, Ballarat is so cool, that we harvest our grapes in March and April - well after some areas have already finished fermenting their wines. Although the vineyards are tiny, Ballarat is fast gaining a reputation for producing some of the best Pinot Noir in the country.

Good news for all the Shiraz drinkers out there - a few isolated vineyards in the Ballarat region (with just the right terroir) also produce very fine examples of spicy, cool climate Shiraz - but the quantities are tiny, so make sure you are quick to discover them.

With further searching in the area, one can find the Italian varieties of Pinot Grigio and Lagrein as well as the Spanish variety, Tempranillo.  Pinot Grigio can produce wines that have a soft mouth feel, lightly perfumed with honey, savoury and nutty tendencies.  Lagrein offers a valvety red of real character. The Tempranillo wines have flavours ranging from strawberry to spice and leather.

Last but not least, cabernet and merlot grapes are also grown in the Ballarat region.  The result being a cabernet merlot blend, a wine with an abundance of berry aroma, hints of spice and soft tannin finishes.