While the Barossa and Eden Valleys are both distinct regions with individual characteristics, they are also inseparable in many ways, sharing some similarities and correlations, and with key wine producers often spilling into both. So, while the regional differences are essential to note, it is helpful to consider them together, especially when visiting.
While the Barossa Valley region is almost exclusively planted to red varieties, the Eden Valley is pretty close to an even split between red and white, which is largely a function of elevation and a consequently cooler climate, especially in the aptly titled subregion of High Eden, the only legal subregion of the Barossa Zone. Shiraz takes the lead in both regions, but there is a healthy 22 per cent of total plantings of riesling in the Eden Valley (based on crush reports), a bit less than half that amount is accounted for by chardonnay, with pinot grigio/gris the next most recorded in the annual crush report. Cabernet sauvignon is the second-most planted red grape in both regions, but the warmer Barossa Valley has a significant amount of grenache and a much lesser but still substantial planting of mourvèdre. Grenache is nominally present in the Eden and mourvèdre a mere blip.
Emerging varieties are also finding a home, with grüner veltliner present in the Eden along with white Rhône varieties, especially viognier. In the Barossa Valley, sangiovese, montepulciano, tempranillo, graciano and nero d’avola have established presences. There are also plantings of barbera in both and some lagrein in the Eden. It is likely these will expand in the future, especially given the increased awareness of the performance of certain varieties in an ever-warming climate.
In terms of wine styles, it is not easy to generalise about the Barossa anymore. The Eden Valley is certainly known for racy, pure riesling styles and elegant, spicy but still powerful reds, while The Barossa Valley is famed for intense, earthy reds. These are general truths, but there is an increased interest in making wines that are less imposingly framed. Largely, that evolution has gone from high-octane wines to trying to pull well back, but the pendulum seems to have settled more towards the middle, where alcohols are in check, but the sun-kissed properties and rugged earthiness are still expressed.
Barossa Valley in numbers*
- Elevation: 112–430 metres above sea level
- Annual rainfall: 586 mm (2021–22)
- Mean temperature (Jan): 23°C (2022)
- Area under vine: 11,609 hectares
- White grapes: 10%
- Red grapes: 90%
- Average yield: 4.6 tonnes/ha
Top five varieties crushed (2022)
- Shiraz 60%
- Cabernet sauvignon 17%
- Grenache 7%
- Chardonnay 3%
- Mataro/mourvèdre 2%
*Statistics courtesy of Wine Australia
Eden Valley in numbers*
- Elevation: 219–632 metres above sea level
- Annual rainfall: 418 mm (2021–22)
- Mean temperature (Jan): 20.9°C
- Area under vine: 2,169 hectares
- White grapes: 47%
- Red grapes: 53%
- Average yield: 5.0 tonnes/ha
Top five varieties crushed (2021)
- Shiraz 35%
- Riesling 22%
- Cabernet sauvignon 13%
- Chardonnay 10%
- Pinot gris/grigio 4%
*Statistics courtesy of Wine Australia
