Rutherglen Durif

	MIN	MAX	RAIN		OUTLOOK
Saturday	8	13	70%	1-5mm	Morning fog patches. Possible shower. NW winds tending S'ly
Sunday	7	13	50%	< 1mm	Morning fog patches. Possible shower. NE winds tending SW
Monday	4	13	20%	< 1mm	Morning fog patches. Mostly sunny afternoon. SE winds tending W'ly
Tuesday	2	12	20%	< 1mm	Morning fog patches. Mostly sunny afternoon. SW/W'ly winds
Wednesday	2	13	5%	< 1mm	Morning fog patches. Sunny afternoon. SW winds
Thursday	2	14	70%	< 1mm	Mostly cloudy. SE winds tending SW
Friday	5	15	50%	< 1mm	Mostly cloudy. Rain at times. SE winds

A Rutherglen icon

If there’s one wine that truly reflects the spirit of Rutherglen and is a metaphor for both the place and its people, it’s Durif.

Stylish, earthy, spicy, full-bodied yet refined, this tough, resilient grape varietal was planted at a time of crisis more than a century ago, brought from France in 1908 when the phylloxera vine aphid had all but destroyed the region’s wine industry.

Introducing the variety to Rutherglen at the time was a master stroke – the soils, the climate and the skills of the winemakers were a winning combination that ensured the variety flourished in its new home. Indeed, such is the affinity between the variety and its adopted home that it is sometimes referred to as Rutherglen Durif.

While Rutherglen Durif is usually made as a table wine, it also finds its way into blends with other varieties such as Shiraz or made into a very popular sparkling red style. The variety is also a prime contributor to some of the region’s outstanding vintage and tawny fortified styles.

Despite the long history of working with the Durif, Rutherglen winemakers continue to explore new viticultural and winemaking practices as they strive to further evolve their individual house styles and ensure that Rutherglen Durif maintains its place in the years ahead as one of Australia’s fine red wine styles.

A whole lotta love

For more than 100 years, growers and makers have poured their skill and passion into shaping Rutherglen Durif. It’s a mainstay across the region — enjoyed as a bold, age-worthy red or blended with varieties like Shiraz.

If you’re chasing the big, powerful end of the spectrum, look to Warrabilla Wines and winemaker Andrew Sutherland Smith. Warrabilla has built a reputation for intensely expressive wines, with a strong focus on Durif and a lineup that includes some of the most robust reds in the country.

Taste Rutherglen

There’s no better way to truly appreciate Durif than at a cellar door tasting. Most of the many wineries of this historic wine region continue to grow and make Durif wines and welcome the chance to introduce newcomers to the nuances and provenance of this uniquely local Rutherglen drop.