Yering Station
Victoria's oldest vineyard, founded in 1838, still producing award-winning cool-climate wines from the Yarra Valley.
Yering Station is Victoria's oldest vineyard, established in 1838 and the only Southern Hemisphere wine to win the Grand Prix at the 1889 Paris World Exhibition. The Rathbone family has owned the estate since 1996, farming 112 hectares across five sites in Yarra Glen and Coldstream. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the standout varieties from this cool-climate property.
- Victoria's oldest vineyard, established 1838 by the Ryrie brothers on land named 'Yering' by the Wurundjeri people
- Only Southern Hemisphere wine to win the Grand Prix at the 1889 Paris World Exhibition
- 112 hectares spread across five vineyard sites in Yarra Glen and Coldstream
- Scarlett Pinot Noir 2021 scored 99 points from James Halliday
- 2022 Village Pinot Noir ranked #88 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2024, the only Australian Pinot on the list
- Won Best Australian Wine Producer at the International Wine and Spirit Competition
- Inducted into the Australian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame in 2006
History
Yering Station was established in 1838 by Scottish-born Ryrie brothers on land the Wurundjeri people called 'Yering', making it Victoria's first vineyard. The estate won the Argus Gold Cup in 1861 and claimed the Grand Prix at the 1889 Paris World Exhibition, a feat no other Southern Hemisphere wine has matched. Production came to a halt in the early 1900s as phylloxera and economic depression took their toll. The vineyard was replanted in 1988, with commercial production resuming in 1991. The Rathbone family purchased the estate in 1996 and have led its modern revival, operating from the original 1859 winery building that now houses the cellar door.
- Founded 1838 by Ryrie brothers; Victoria's first vineyard
- Grand Prix winner at the 1889 Paris World Exhibition, the only Southern Hemisphere wine to achieve this
- Phylloxera and economic depression halted production in the early 1900s
- Replanted 1988; Rathbone family purchase in 1996 launched the modern era
Terroir and Climate
The estate spans 112 hectares across five vineyard sites in the Yarra Glen and Coldstream sub-regions, with elevation ranging from 50 to 1,250 metres. Soils vary considerably across the sites, encompassing volcanic loam on slopes, deeper clay-loam, and well-drained gravels. The cool maritime climate delivers warm days and cool nights, 750 to 950mm of annual rainfall concentrated in winter and spring, and a seven-month growing season. These conditions produce wines with medium body, pronounced acidity, fine-grained tannins, and restrained oak integration.
- Five vineyard sites across Yarra Glen and Coldstream; elevation 50 to 1,250 metres
- Soils include volcanic loam, clay-loam, and well-drained gravels
- Cool maritime climate with 750 to 950mm annual rainfall and a seven-month growing season
- Temperature variation between day and night preserves natural acidity in the fruit
Wines and Varieties
Yering Station grows Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier, and Sauvignon Blanc. The estate's cool-climate philosophy drives an emphasis on elegant, age-worthy expressions. The Scarlett Pinot Noir 2021 received 99 points from James Halliday, while the 2022 Village Pinot Noir appeared at number 88 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2024, the only Australian Pinot Noir on the list. Winemaking is led by Chief Winemaker Brendan Hawker alongside CEO and Winemaker Darren Rathbone.
- Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the flagship varieties
- Scarlett Pinot Noir 2021 scored 99 points from James Halliday
- 2022 Village Pinot Noir ranked #88 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2024
- Winemaking team led by Chief Winemaker Brendan Hawker and Darren Rathbone
Have a bottle from this producer?
Scan the label or type the name. Instant sommelier-level context for any bottle.
Look it up →Sustainability and Viticulture
Yering Station is a member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia and has pioneered precision viticulture and sustainable practices in the country. The estate employs drip irrigation, composting, and a 250kW solar power system. These initiatives reflect a long-term commitment to environmental stewardship across all five vineyard sites.
- Member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia
- 250kW solar power system installed on site
- Uses drip irrigation and composting as core sustainability practices
- Recognised as a pioneer of precision viticulture adoption in Australia
Cool-climate wines with medium body, pronounced natural acidity, and fine-grained tannins. Pinot Noir shows red cherry, spice, and earthy complexity. Chardonnay delivers stone fruit and citrus with restrained oak. All wines are crafted for elegance and age-worthiness.
- Yering Station Village Pinot Noir$25-35Ranked #88 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2024; the only Australian Pinot Noir on the list.Find →
- Yering Station Village Chardonnay$25-35Approachable entry point to the estate's cool-climate Chardonnay style with restrained oak.Find →
- Yering Station Scarlett Pinot Noir$80-100Scored 99 points from James Halliday; the estate's prestige Pinot Noir from select Yarra Valley sites.Find →
- Yering Station was established in 1838 by the Ryrie brothers, making it Victoria's oldest vineyard
- The estate was the only Southern Hemisphere wine to win the Grand Prix at the 1889 Paris World Exhibition
- 112 hectares across five sites in Yarra Glen and Coldstream; elevation ranges from 50 to 1,250 metres
- Production halted by phylloxera and economic depression in early 1900s; replanted 1988, commercial release from 1991
- Rathbone family purchased the estate in 1996; Chief Winemaker is Brendan Hawker