The Bass Coast region in Victoria, Australia, is renowned for its lush green pastures and rolling hinterlands that cultivate some of the country's finest produce. One notable winery in the area is The Gurdies Winery, situated near Grantville and Pioneer Bay, just 20 minutes from Phillip Island. The winery crafts a range of varietal and blended wines from eight types of estate-grown grapes, following traditional winemaking methods. Their offerings encompass red, white, and sparkling wines, along with hosting events, tastings, live music, weddings, and private functions.
Phillip Island Winery, nestled on 14 acres with views of the Bass Strait, specializes in cool climate wines and provides long lunches, cellar door tastings, and event hosting. Purple Hen Winery, another family-owned establishment, focuses on producing premium cool climate wines and offers relaxed cellar door experiences. Silverwaters Vineyard, an award-winning family-owned winery, presents a serene island farmland setting and grazing platters paired with their premium wines.
The Bass Coast's cooler climate provides optimal conditions for cultivating high-quality wines and beers. Notably, the region is recognized for its cool-climate pinot noir that pairs excellently with locally sourced seafood. Other popular varietals include Chardonnay, Verdelho-Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Sparkling Red, and Riesling, with The Gurdies Winery standing out for its cool climate style and adherence to traditional winemaking techniques.
The climate in the Bass Coast region is predominantly cool, with a warm, dry autumn that supports the growth of rich chardonnay, unique sauvignon blanc, riesling, pinot noir, and shiraz. East Gippsland, within the same wine region, features a cool semi-maritime climate with low rainfall and refreshing sea breezes, leading to nuanced pinot noir and genuine cool-climate expressions of shiraz and chardonnay. Beautiful South Gippsland, a genuine cool-climate area influenced by maritime conditions from the stormy Bass Strait, excels in producing elegant chardonnay and pinot gris, with a standout in pinot noir known for its superb flavor and structure.