The Tamworth Wine District, located in the New England Region of New South Wales, is centered on the rural and tourist service center of Tamworth, with a population of approximately 45,000 people. The area is known for its thriving agricultural industry, including sheep and cattle grazing, various grain and oil-seed crops, olives, and recent developments in vineyards and wineries. The region experiences four distinct seasons with warm, dry summers and frosty, cool winters due to its elevation of around 400 meters above sea level, contributing to the development of unique wines produced from various red and white grape varieties.
Notable wineries in the Tamworth Wine District include Mahers Vineyard in Kootingal, Tangaratta Vineyard in Tamworth, and Warrina Wines in Kootingal. The New England Wine Region, encompassing the Tamworth Wine District, extends across the Great Dividing Range in northern New South Wales and into Queensland's Granite Belt Region. Most wineries in the area are situated at altitudes ranging from 400 to 1000 meters, with a continental climate characterized by bracing winters and warm summers with cool to mild nights.
Varietals grown in the New England Wine Region include Barbera, Gewürztraminer, Petit Manseng, Pinotage, Tempranillo, Tinto Cao, Touriga, and Chardonnay. The region's cool climate is conducive to producing elegant and well-balanced Chardonnays with excellent varietal definition, characterized by generous aromas of stone fruit, citrus, and tropical fruit. Riesling from the region exhibits fragrant floral characters, exotic and citrus fruit aromatics, rich fruit flavors, and balanced acidity. Alternative varieties such as Gewürztraminer, Tempranillo, and Nebbiolo have gained popularity among the region's talented winemakers.