Economy
Industries in the Goulburn Valley include agricultural activities such as fruit growing and dairying, which supply processing plants in Shepparton and outlying towns such as Strathmerton and Tongala. This extensive food processing industry allows the region to produce around 25% of Victoria's rural output. The SPC Ardmona plant, founded in 1917 in Shepparton, is one of the world's largest fruit canneries. Other important agricultural activities include woolgrowing and cropping. Water for irrigation is sourced from Lake Eildon and Goulburn Weir, with Lake Eildon supplying over half the water used in the Shepparton irrigation district.
The Goulburn Valley is also a significant wine region. Wine production began in the region in 1860. A syndicate raised £25,000 to develop the Tahbilk winery. By 1875 a thriving trade with England had been established, and the winery was producing the equivalent of 70,000 cases of wine per year. Due to the sandy soil, Tahbilk was able to withstand the spread of Phylloxera, and in 1925 was the only winery in the area. As a result, the region is home to the oldest and largest plantings of Marsanne grape variety in the world. Other major wine varieties grown today include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and a Shiraz of awesome flavour and longevity. As well as Tahbilk, other major wineries include Michelton near Nagambie in the south and Monichino near Katunga in the north.
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