34°S 116°E / 34°S 116°E Blackwood Valley is a wine region in the south-west of Western Australia, approximately 260 km (160 mi) south-south-east of Perth. [1]
The region was named after the Blackwood River, the longest continually flowing river in Western Australia. [2] The river passes through the towns of Bridgetown, Greenbushes, Nannup, Balingup and Boyup Brook within the region. [3]
The Blackwood Valley region was settled in the late 1800s, and timber, horticulture, wool and other farming sustained the region. [2] Blackwood Valley extends approximately to Geographe Bay in the west and north, Manjimup in the south, and Great Southern in the south-east. [4]
It is part of the wine industry in Western Australia. The first vines were planted in the Blackwood Crest winery, located in the north-east of the region, in 1976 by Max Fairbrass. [4] [5] The region produces mainly white wines, and the vineyards in the region number around 50. [2] The harvest time is between late February and early April. [5]
The climate of the region is Mediterranean, suitable for the growth of white wine vines including Chardonnay and Riesling, as well as red wine grapes like Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. [5] This climate is characterised by moderate temperatures, with rainfall more predominant in the winter months and relatively dry summer months. [5] However, winter frosts occasionally extend through into early spring, which can cause damage to the vines. [4]
The region varies in elevation, from 100 metres in the west to 340 metres in the east. The annual rainfall range is from 600 to 900 millimetres. [2] [5]
The soil in the area is heavily dictated by the topography. A series of smaller valleys which run throughout the region, where the soil is thinner on the slopes than at the base of the valleys where alluvial-type sediment is found. [5] The topography and loamy soil promotes well-drained land suitable for vineyards. [2] [4]