The Southern Highlands Wine Region Designated a official wine region in 1999 by the Geographical Indication Committee of Australia, the Southern Highlands wine region is situated approx 120kn south west of Sydney along the Great Dividing Range in the Wingecarribee Shire of NSW. The district is centred around the townships of Mittagong, Bowral, Berrima and Moss Vale and has a rich agriculture, cattle, sheep and dairying history back to the early 1800’s. Though there are records pointing to table grape vineyards and a modest wine production in the district in 1886, there was little viticulture during the early 20th century, and the current wine history of the region dates from the early 1980s, when the Joadja Vineyards and Winery were established. The Southern Highlands main defining theme for its designation as a wine region is its cool climate and high altitude vineyards which produce world class cool climate wines of distinction. There are currently 62 registered vineyards, 12 wineries and 25 wine companiesin the Southern Highlands wine region. There is a broad range of varieties planted in the region including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon. The regions vineyards vary from 2 acres to over 100 acres in size and range from 550 metres to over 850 metres above sea level. Cool nights, mild days and dry ripening conditions allows the region to produce some of Australia’s classic cool climate grapes and wine styles with particular attention recently being focused on the regions Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris wines along with the potential for premium sparkling wine production. The Southern Highlands Vignerons Association Inc. The Southern Highlands Vignerons Association Inc. (SHVA) exists to assist its members in their participation in theSouthern Highlands wine industry and to represent them as a united body and offers the broadest membership so that it can speak effectively for the Southern Highlands wine industry as a whole. The SHVA is active in representing the interest of its members at Local, State and Federal Government levels as well as providing a conduit to wine industry bodies such as New South Wales Wine Industry Association and the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation. Full membership is open to individuals or companies who are involved in the commercial growing of grapes and or the production of wine, an application form is at the foot of this page. Associate membership is open to individuals and companies which are interested in or support the Southern Highlands wine region. To download the SHVA Full Membership and Associate Membership Application forms click on the links below. (note: you will need to have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view the application forms)
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