Yarra Yering is an iconic name in the Australian wine industry. Wine was grown in the Yarra Valley itself (just outside Melbourne) from the mid-1800s to the 1920s. That stopped when the high price of wool and the changing tastes of drinkers made wine production less economic. It was not to resume again until 1969 and one Dr Bailey Carrodus arrived on the scene. When he took up a position teaching botany at Melbourne University, he was fresh from a study tour of the best vineyards and wineries of France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. Student study trips he led into the Yarra Valley inevitably became scouting operations for potential vineyard sites. He had planned vineyard management and winemaking as a retirement project, but when his perfect site became free, he couldn’t resist. He bought it and named it the Yarra Yering Vineyard.

Time has proven his choice of site inspired. The 70 acres of unirrigated vines in Yarra Yering are grown on a mostly north-facing slope at the foot of the Warramate Hills. They have good drainage, all-day exposure to sun, and enough elevation to avoid the spring frosts that kill buds. A steep west-facing slope has been planted with Portuguese varieties to take advantage of the hot afternoon sun.

Where Dr Carrodus led, others followed, and the Yarra Valley is now well (re)established as a premier Victoria wine region. He died in 2008, and the winery was sold to two businessmen, both passionate Yarra Yering fans. Current winemaker Sarah Crowe continues to bring in accolades for this trailblazing winery. (NT 18/08/23)