By Dongyun Kwon
Beyond the national stage, locally produced wines have entered into international markets.
Gruyere-based winery Yarra Yering’s wines are on display at La Cité du Vin, the world’s largest wine museum in Bordeaux, France, highlighting the Yarra Valley’s reputation as a premium winemaking region.
La Cité du Vin is a major tourist attraction that welcomes more than 400,000 wine lovers every year.
Yarra Yering along with other wineries has been selected to showcase the diversity and vibrancy of the wines produced across Victoria.
Yarra Yering winemaker and general manager Sarah Crowe said it was a wonderful surprise to be promoted in this way in a great wine producing country.
“It is pleasing to see the French promoting the world of wine and looking outwards globally,” she said.
“Our flagship wine is a Bordeaux inspired blend and we are proud to be poured in the region where it was inspired as a wonderful Australian interpretation.”
The wines were chosen by Global Victoria in collaboration with Wine Victoria, the museum, and the Victorian Government office in France.
“The selection was guided by the palate preferences of European buyers, the existing presence and availability of the wines in the European market, and their potential for growth, while representing Victoria’s Five Pillars (Shiraz Central, Pinot Coast, Muscat of Rutherglen, Yarra Valley, and King Valley),” Ms Crowe said.
Four Yarra Yering wines have been selected to be exhibited; Warramate Chardonnay 2020, Yarra Yering Chardonnay 2017, Yarra Yering Pinot Noir 2018, and Yarra Yering Underhill Shiraz 2016.
Wine is one of Victoria’s key tourism drawcards and plays an important role in regional economies.
Jobs at wineries, vineyards and cellar doors provide people with good jobs close to home, while serving as popular tourist attractions.
Boasting over 800 wineries and 21 distinctive wine regions, Victoria is home to more wineries than any other state with the exports generating about $141 million a year.
Economic growth and jobs minister Danny Pearson said the Victorian Government is promoting Victorian wines at one of the most influential wine museums in the world, strengthening the state’s fame as a top-quality wine destination and attracting more people to Victoria.
“Victoria is home to many of our country’s most celebrated winemakers, and this partnership is sharing their talent with the rest of the world and boosting their export opportunities,” he said.
The partnership with La Cité Du Vin follows the Wine Paris Vinexpo 2025 held from 10 to 12 February, where Victorian wines were also celebrated on a global stage.
As part of the two-year partnership, other Victorian wineries have the chance to be displayed in the future.
