Having arrived in Melbourne, I see the enormous contrast between genteel Adelaide and the massive urban sprawl of the capital of Victoria.
My first day of reconnaissance took me south west of Melbourne to the Geelong area.
Not so well known as the Yarra Valley and fashionable Mornington Peninsula, but very much a part of the Victoria wine scene with some top names in the mix. Geelong itself is an attractive seaside town with a somewhat old fashioned ambience. Heading east towards the Bellarine peninsula (a place that ought to be as well known as Mornington) I discovered a selection of terrific wineries including the renowned Scotchmans Hill. Set in an area that clearly is a focal point of Melbourne horse racing and training, this is a top class winery where a winemaker masterclass and degustation lunch is likely to take place.
On the more frivolous side, Jack Rabbit wines have the most amazing views, Baie Park wines are a small boutique winery and Provenance wines have an interesting story to tell.
Tomorrow, I head to famous Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula.