Bushrangers And Wine In The King Valley, Victoria
The vast fertile plains formed by the generous King River are a magnet for modern day travellers searching for delicious food, unique wine styles and adventurous outdoor activities. But this area has a rich and fascinating history going back hundreds of years.….
The beautiful scenery of the King Valley harbours many secrets and those interested can discover a wealth of historical details. Beginning with local indigenous people who utilised the fertile river flats up until the late 1880s, there is evidence of corroboree grounds and camp sites to be found at the northern end near the township of Oxley. Following European settlement of the region, Victoria’s notorious bushranger history played out in this area.
Coming from Melbourne’s CBD and travelling via Mansfield, the drive towards the King Valley takes the driver between 3 1/2 and 3 3/4 hours. My best advice is to take a long weekend for your visit – take the Friday off and head bush to make the make the most of all the area has to offer. Oh and make sure you have lots of boot space for the wine & artisan food purchases along the way! Don’t forget that #emptyesky!
Approaching from Mansfield on the Mansfield-Whitfield Road (C521) at the southern end of the valley is Power’s Lookout – well worth a short side trip off the main road. Giving unfettered views of the expansive and lush valley below, this location is named after Irish-born convict turned bushranger Harry Power who used this area to keep an eye on approaching parties of police in the 1870s. As a mentor to the young Ned Kelly, he was an intrinsic part of this controversial era in Australian history.
Non-indigenous settlement increased in the mid-1800s, with the arrival of Chinese settlers from the Victorian Goldfields looking to diversify their growth in the new country. These industrious settlers farmed tobacco, hops and operated market gardens – many places in the valley still bear the names of prominent Chinese families from the time.
Following World War II, many Italian immigrants were drawn to Victoria with the promise of verdant fields and news of a booming tobacco industry. Settling in the King Valley, the familiar wine label names of today began their trade growing tobacco. The decline in demand for tobacco in the 1970s and 1980s led to new opportunities in wine growing. These entrepreneurial families began cultivating unique Italian varieties such as nebbiolo, sangiovese, pinot grigio, prosecco – names now synonymous with the region. These vineyards thrived in the conditions present in the valley – rich soils and cool climates, and the fortunes of the Italian migrants and their descendants flourished.
Wineries such as Chrismont, Dal Zotto and Pizzini have strong historical footholds in this fertile valley and produce some of the world’s best Italian varietal wines, and of course the King Valley is the home of Australian Prosecco.
Today the King Valley is a huge drawcard for foodies and wine connoisseurs from across the country. With cellar door tastings, winery restaurants and cafes, fine dining in local towns, extraordinary local artisan produce and products, this region has plenty to offer independent travellers. At the northern end of the valley you will find Milawa Cheese – which produces a wide variety of farmhouse cheese styles from the rich milk of local cows and goats who graze the lush fields and paddocks of the valley. Grab yourself some cheese samples and biscuits from their large shop with knowledgable staff and your picnic plans are sorted.
Have you visited the King Valley? Let me know in the comments below.