An Australian wine region located in the Lower Murray Zone of south australia. It's situated about 145 miles northeast of Adelaide around the towns of Renmark and Berri. It is just east of the huge murray darling region that lies in the states of new south wales and victoria. Like the Murray Darling region, Riverland is the product of the irrigation systems implemented on the Murray River beginning in the 1890s. The Riverland is hot and dry, and vineyards require irrigation water from the Murray River. This region also resembles Murray Darling with regard to the huge quantities of reliable quality wine it churns out-much of it going into Australia's inexpensive and popular bag-in-box (or cask) wines. The over 45,000 vineyard acres here produced 48 percent of South Australia's total production in 2001. The most widely planted varieties from largest to smallest are Shiraz (syrah), cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, muscat, merlot, ruby cabernet, sultana, colombard, grenache, petit verdot and Mataro(mourvèdre) plus a dozen other varieties. Riverland has several large wineries, however much of the crop is sent south to the barossa valley for fermentation.
The Riverland is a region of South Australia. It covers the area near the Murray River from where it flows into South Australia downstream to Blanchetown. The major town centres are Renmark, Berri, Loxton, Waikerie and Barmera. Each of these are accompanied by minor townships, the total area comprising approximately 30,000 people. Many of the towns were established for the re-settlement of soldiers after their return from World War I or World War II. Most towns were established as separate irrigation districts.
The region hosted an internment camp for people of Japanese, German and Italian origin or descent during World War II. This camp was based at Loveday and little remains to testify to its existence. The region grows about half of South Australia's grapes, and 90% of the citrus and stone fruit. Most major Australian wine companies source a significant amount of bulk wine from the Riverland. The Agriculture industry is the largest employer in the area.
Houseboating, water skiing and golfing are popular pastimes for visitors to the area.
Most Riverlanders[citation needed] share an active concern and interest in the health of the River Murray.[1] The majority of the River Murray and surrounds in the Riverland area is a declared reserve. The predominant natural environment consists of River Red Gum and Black Box forests that line the river banks and flood plains, as well as steep cliffs. The Riverland is abundant in wildlife, the more common species encountered being Pelicans, Kookaburras, Brush Tail Possums and Perons Tree Frogs. Less common species include Koalas (introduced to Renmark), Bush Stone Curlews and Carpet Pythons (rated 'vulnerable' to extinction in the region).
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