A good year in South Australia, even though heavy hailstorms in the Barossa Valley diminished the potential yields of some varieties. However, the quality was generally good in the Barossa, while Coonawarra produced some very good Cabernet Sauvignons.

An above-average vintage in Victoria, although in the Yarra Valley poor fruit set in the early spring led to potential yields being reduced by as much as 50%. In Western Australia, 1997 was regarded as a very good year. However, all the wines should have been consumed by now.