Wine Tours King Valley

The fertile wine region of King Valley stretches along the King River, between the city of Wangaratta and the Alpine National Park in northeast Victoria. Also known as Australia’s Little Italy for its strong Italian influence on winemaking styles and varieties, the King Valley is home to several world-class wineries that you can visit for wine tasting.

When visiting King Valley’s wineries, you will have the opportunity to taste premium wines especially based on Italian varieties like Sangiovese, Pinot Grigio, and Prosecco (called Glera in Italy). This is because many families of Italian immigrants established in the area during the tobacco-growing era in the mid-twentieth century, and later turned their crops into award-winning wineries when tobacco growing came to an end. The Italian varieties quickly flourished in the valley’s continental climate, which provides warm days and cool nights, especially on its upper slopes.

King Valley’s Italian heritage becomes clear not only when visiting its wineries and cellar doors, but also when looking for a place where to wine and dine. Think of house-made salami, stuffed sardines, egg pasta filled with freshly made ricotta, and other delicacies prepared with the freshest seasonal produce and premium ingredients like duck and lamb. Many cellar doors in the valley also offer Italian-inspired cooking classes, where you can learn how to make some of the precious family recipes, passed down through generations.

Your wine tastings in the King Valley will feature elegant wines made with iconic Italian varieties like Prosecco, Pinot Grigio, Arneis, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, or Barbera. Other grape varieties that are commonly found in the King Valley include Merlot and Chardonnay.

Thanks to the many available wineries open throughout the year, any season is great to organize wine tastings, wine tours, or weekends among vineyards in the King Valley. Visit the Valley in November to take part in the yearly La Dolce Vita Festival, or choose to visit during autumn to admire the valley’s foliage tinging in lovely warm colors while sipping on a glass of Sangiovese.

During your wine tastings and cellar door visits in the King Valley, you will get the chance to discover a little piece of Italy nestled in Victoria and appreciate a different take on Australian winemaking. While in the area, make sure to stop by at least a few of its highlights, including Paradise Falls, the Alpine National Park, River Road Reserve, or the Tarrawingee Golf Club.

The average price of a wine tasting with winery visit in King Valley is around €202.50. Depending on the experience, prices range from €65 to €340. Booking in advance ensures availability and the best prices.

Here are the top wineries to visit in King Valley:

• Brown Brothers Milawa
• Pizzini Wines

Here are the best wine tastings to book in King Valley:

• Food and Wine Adventure at Brown Brothers in King Valley
• Prosecco Brunch at Brown Brothers in King Valley
• The maker's Journey - Sites and Barrels at Pizzini in King Valley
• King Valley Experience at Pizzini Wines
• Private Italian cooking class & wine tasting at Pizzini Wines in King Valley
• Wine Blending at Brown Brothers winery in King Valley
• Pop & Fizz - Prosecco Tasting at Pizzini in King Valley