The appropriately named Murray-Darling, Australia's second largest wine region spans the Murray river and its confluence with the Darling river. Situated in northwest Victoria and western New South Wales, hot temperatures, long sunshine hours, and negligible rainfalls make irrigation essential. Murray-Darling's soils range from loamy to sandy calcareous earth, supporting high yields and vigorous growth.

With 1,300 growers on 23,000 hectacres of vineyards, Murray-Darling is a major volume wine producing region. Chardonnay varietals rule in this region, and most wines offer generous fruit and excellent value. Some red grapes are grown here too; Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot offer fruity, drink-it-now styles full of American oak character. Murray-Darling's reputation as a bulk wine producer is soon to change as there are now more than 30 boutique wineries in the region making distinct wine styles through advance vineyard management. (Wine/Appellations)