What the locals are loving: Clyde Park

The unique terroir of Victoria’s Moorabool Valley doesn’t make grape growing easy – but as Clyde Park winery demonstrates year after year, perseverance pays off.

Only an hour’s drive from Melbourne in Bannockburn, Clyde Park is renowned for its chardonnay and pinot noir. It was established by revered industry figure Gary Farr in 1979 when the Geelong wine region was in its infancy and pinot noir was barely heard of. “Where we are has enormous winds, rocky volcanic soils and challenging conditions,” says winemaker Terry Jongebloed, owner of Clyde Park with his wife Sue. “It’s a very low yielding vineyard but we concentrate on nurturing the health of the soil and making fruit packed with flavour.” By the time the Jongebloeds took over the site on the rolling green hills surrounding the Moorabool River in 1996, pinot was on the way up, but still had a long way to go to penetrate the popular drinking consciousness. “It’s fantastic to see pinot noir appreciated by so many people now,” he says. “It’s really come along in leaps and bounds.”