Rutherglen () is a town in north-eastern Victoria, Australia, near the Murray River border with New South Wales. The town was named after the Scottish town of Rutherglen which lies just outside Glasgow. At the , Rutherglen had a population of 2,579. The Rutherglen Sun and Chiltern Valley Advertiser newspaper was published between 1886 and 1979.

The Rutherglen Magistrates' Court closed on 1 January 1990.

Wine

The Rutherglen wine region is a wine-producing area around the town of Rutherglen and is particularly noted for its sweet fortified wine styles including Muscat, Topaque (formerly known as Tokay), and Port.

The largest winery in the region is the All Saints Winery, located just a short drive north-west outside of Wahgunyah. Established in 1864, it features landscaped gardens, ponds, a restaurant and wine tasting facilities. The Rutherglen Wine Experience Visitor Information Centre, located in the town centre on Main Street, offers displays of the town's rich history, how wines are made, and comprehensive tourist information.

Sport

Unusually for a town of its size, Rutherglen has two Australian Rules football teams. The town in conjunction with nearby town Corowa has an Australian Rules football team (Corowa-Rutherglen) competing in the Ovens & Murray Football League. Another Australian rules football team, Rutherglen Football Club, play in the Tallangatta & District Football League.

Golfers play at the course of the Rutherglen Golf Club on Murray Street. The current club professional is Paul Black.

Climate

Rutherglen features a borderline oceanic / humid subtropical climate (Cfb / Cfa), with warm to hot, dry summers and cool, damp winters. Climate data are sourced at Rutherglen Research; established in 1912 and still operating today. It sits at an elevation of .

The highest temperature recorded was on 14 January 1939, whereas the lowest was on 14 June 2006. The lowest maximum temperature was on 3 July 1984.

Notable people

  • George Sutherland Smith (1830–1903), paddle-steamer captain and founder of All Saints winery
  • Sir John Harris (1868–1946), politician and sherry pioneer
  • Michael Joseph Savage (1872–1940), Prime Minister of New Zealand, lived at North Prentice
  • Erle Cox (1873–1950), author
  • Robert Campbell (born 1982), former Hawthorn footballer

Festivals and events

  • Rutherglen Regatta: second weekend of January
  • Tastes of Rutherglen: second weekend of March - third weekend of March
  • Roam Rutherglen (formerly known as Winery Walkabout): King's Birthday long weekend of June
  • Rutherglen Agricultural Show: third weekend of October
  • Tour de Rutherglen: first weekend of November
  • Rutherglen Farmers Market: second weekend each month

See also

  • Australian wine

References

  • Heritage citation for the Victoria Hotel in the National Trust (Victoria) Register
  • Wine styles of Rutherglen by Australian wine critic, James Halliday
  • Rutherglen Tokay and Muscat by U.S. wine critic Robert M. Parker, Jr.
  • Wine styles of Rutherglen by Australian wine critic, James Halliday
  • Rutherglen Tokay and Muscat by U.S. wine critic Robert M. Parker, Jr.
  • Rotary Club of Rutherglen