About us - Eden Road Wines

CANBERRA
Location
Canberra is located approximately 300 km south of Sydney and approximately 100 km inland from the sea. The District can be broadly catergorised into two main sub regions. Murrambatemen which lies on the Barton Highway North West of Canberra and the Second region being along the Bungendore ridge and Northwest shore of Lake George.
History
Historically, the agricultural land surrounding Canberra was dominated by Sheep grazing and prior to that small amounts of gold mining. The first vineyards were planted on the shores of Lake George in 1971 by Pioneer Doctor Edgar Riek.
Soil
There are both sedimentary and igneous soil types throughout the Canberra region. The majority of vineyards are either planted on Granitic or basalt type soils or alternatively brownish, shallow clay loams.
Eden Road and Canberra
Our winery is centrally located in Canberra among four very significant cool climate, high country wine regions. Canberra, Tumbarumba, Gundagai and Hilltops.
We believe that Canberra is among the best regions in Australia for producing Shiraz and Riesling. The high altitude and continental climate, coupled with ancient volcanic soils provides the perfect combination for growing bright, perfumed, elegant styles of Shiraz and austere, racy, age worthy styles of Riesling.
Climate
The climate of this region is influenced by the altitude (vineyards here are between 500m and 850m)and its location away from the ameliorating influence of the sea. As in all inland cooler wine regions spring frosts are a hazard on some sites. Careful vineyard site selection is needed to make sure cold air is able to drain away from the vines. This continentality means fruit ripens slowly providing time for flavour to develop in line with the sugar development and loss of acid.

Altitude - 500 - 850 m (1640 - 2788 feet)
Heat degree days - 1410 (cut off at 19ºC (66.2ºF)
Growing season rainfall -360 mm (14.1 inches)
Mean January temperature - 20.2º C (68.3ºF)
Relative humidity - Average 41.5%
Harvest - Mid Mar - End April

TUMBARUMBA
Location
Tumbarumba is located at the foothills of the Snowy Mountains, home of Australia highest peak. The region is located about 200km South East of Canberra with vineyards planted between 400-800 Meters above sea level.
HIistory
The first vines were planted in 1982 by Ian Cowel and subsequent plantings the following year by Frank Minutello in Tooma. There are now more than 25 vineyards covering almost 300 hectares.
Soil
The soils of Tumbarumba are typical high mountain soils derived from decomposed granite and basalt. These soils provide ideal drainage for an area that has relatively high average annual rainfall.
Eden Road and Tumbarumba
We believe that Tumbarumba is among the best regions in Australia for producing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The high altitude and continental climate, coupled with ancient volcanic soils provides the perfect combination for growing bright, perfumed, elegant styles of Pinot Noir and complex, racy, age worthy styles of Chardonnay.
Climate
Tumbarumba has a typically cool, continental climate with warmish days and very cool nights. This is coupled with sinking cold air from the surrounding mountains and brilliant light and results in a marginal but very exciting region for producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Altitude - 300-800 m (984-2625 feet)
Heat degree days - 1010 (cut off at 19ºC (66.2º F) but otherwise not adjusted)
Growing season rainfall - 375 mm (14.7 inches)
Mean January temperature - 19.3°C (66.7°F)
Relative humidity - Average 43%
Harvest - Mid Mar - Early Mar – Early May

HILLTOPS
Location
The Hilltops region is situated 160km North West of Canberra and is surrounded by the NSW towns of Young, Boorowa and Harden. The district can be categorized into sub regions broadly based on the proximity to the town centers named above and others. Sub regions such as Kingsvale, Barwang and Wombat have their own unique soil types, elevations and aspects and contribute stylistic differences to the wine produced from these areas.
The majority of vineyards are located between 450m and 600 meters above sea level and sit on rich and deep, typically dark red granite clays impregnated with basalt.
History
Historically the Hilltops was rich grazing and cherry growing country. The first vines were planted in the 1860s by Croatian immigrant Nichole Jaspprizza with the express purpose of supplying grog to diggers on the surrounding goldfields.
The establishment of the Barwang vineyard in 1975 by Peter Robertson marked the beginning of what is now one of the most exciting grape growing regions in NSW. There are now over 400 hectares of vines planted mostly South East of Young.
Eden Road and Hilltops
Warm days and cool nights coupled with granitic based soils presents a unique environment fro growing red grape varieties, specially Shiraz, Cabernet and the Italian varieties Nebbiolo and Barbera. It is these varieties that Eden Road focuses on in the Hilltops.
Shiraz: Opulence is the defining character of Hilltops Shiraz. Typically Hilltops Shiraz is a dark wine with bright red fruits and treads and very fine line between intensity and elegance, two characters that are not necessary mutually exclusive. Opulence coupled with this sense poise between intensity and elegance is what excites us about Hilltops Shiraz.
Climate
The climate is unequivocally continental with high diurnal temperature variation during the growing season. This coupled with the altitude of most vineyards above 450 m presents spring frost risk. The continental climate results in long and even ripening conditions, ideal in particularly for varieties such as Shiraz and Cabernet and many other interesting varieties such as Barbera and Nebbiolo.

Altitude - 450 m (1476 feet)
Heat degree days - 1627
Sunshine hours - Oct-Apr 2041 (Gladstones)
Annual rainfall - 654 mm (26 inches)
Growing season rainfall - 355 mm (14 inches)
Mean January temperature - 22.95 °C (72.5°F)
Relative humidity - Oct-Apr, 3 pm - Average 38%
Harvest - Late Feb-May

GUNDAGAI
Location
Gundagai is located about 180 km west of Canberra on the Western side of the Brindabella ranges. The region sits alongside the famous Murrambidgee river.
History
Gundagai is a relatively young viticultural region. There were some vines planted in Junee in 1877 however more recently significant planting have taken place since 1995 with approximately 600 hectares now under vine.
Soil
The chief soil types are similar to those in other regions in south-east Australia; red earth and red podsols, though soils along the major rivers and creeks are more variable.
Eden Road and Gundagai
Gundagai may become one of the most exciting regions for Shiraz in Australia. It manages to roll in the best of both feminine and masculine styles of Shiraz all into one elegant yet powerful and complex wine.
Climate
Gundagai has a relatively warm, continental climate with average rainfall patterns falling through the year. Night time temperatures can get low quickly during the growing season and results in full flavoured, balanced and elegant medium bodied wines.