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Victorian Wines
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Zilzie
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Yes Said The Seal
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Yering Station is Victoria's first ever vineyard, planted in 1838 in the heart of the Yarra Valley
The Scottish-born Ryrie brothers ventured into the Yarra Valley as they moved their cattle south from Sydney. Taking up a grazing license of 43 000 acres, they named the property Yering, its Aboriginal name. The Ryrie's planted two varieties, the Black Cluster of Hamburg and a white grape variety called Sweetwater. During the early 1850s they returned to Sydney and Paul de Castella took ownership of Yering Station, developing the property from what remained primarily a cattle station into a landmark of winemaking in Victoria.
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Australia’s most successful and prestigious sparkling wine venture was established in 1971 as a hobby by Ballarat businessman Ian Home
The Yellowglen vineyard at Smythesdale, 18km south west of Ballarat was originally planted to red grape varieties destined for table wine. The name Yellowglen was given to the winery after a gold mine was discovered in the middle of what are now pinot noir sites. It soon became clear however that this cool climate area would be far better suited to the production of world-class sparkling wine. Ian himself recognised that a gap had developed in the market for sparkling wine in Australia. French champagne was priced at $12.99 and Australian sparkling wine at $3.99
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Yarran Wines are quiet achievers, growing finer and finer quality fruit for over three decades, delivering outstanding quality and value for discerning enthusiasts in the know
The Yarran tree is best recognised by it's lustrous yellow blooms and dark fragrant wood, it is found extensively throughout the Riverina region and once grew abundantly on the vineyard from which Yarran Wines now source their fruit. Wine grapes have been grown on the Brewer family vineyard for over thirty years. Estate patriarchs Lorraine and John established their property to viticulture, after their son's keen interest in winemaking inspired enrolment at Charles Sturt University. The Brewer vineyards and winworks have since grown, from producing a single site Shiraz in 1998, to many different varietal table wines, rich fortified blends and a classic Riverina Botrytis Noble Rot.
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Unashamedly inspired by the great wines of Europe, the singular focus of YarraLoch is to create world class Yarra Valley wines, distinguished for their elegance, balance and complexity
At YarraLoch the vineyards are managed with the aim of producing the best wines, made to the highest level of care, the most exacting standards and attention to detail. Australian vineyards typically grow all their grape varieties on the same site. They might do one or two good wines but the rest are ordinary. You need to suit the variety to the site. YarraLoch's Stephen Wood intuitively understood that unique microclimes are suited to different wine grapes and established his operations astride three unique sub regions of the Yarra Valley.
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Yarra Yering is one of Victoria's and Australia's most treasured little boutique winerys, yielding little berries of enticingly flavoured grapes that are crafted into magical red wines
After a lengthy search for the penultimate terroir and microclimate, Dr. Bailey Carrodus chose a site in the Yarra Valley which seemed to meet all the requirements, grey silty clay loam with bands of gravel for good drainage, on a north-facing slope high enough out of the valley to avoid late spring frosts. The site has fulfilled all expectations producing a wide range of quality fruit, from Pinot Noir to Touriga Nacional for a fortified red wine. Most of the 12-hectare plot was planted in 1969 and the 1973 vintage was the first commercial wine produced in the valley since 1921.
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Since its inception in 1988, Yarra Ridge has become one of the most successful vineyards in the Yarra Valley
Yarra Ridge was the brainchild of a lawyer, Louis Bialkower, who bought the land in 1982. The following year, Louis planted five hectares to Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The reputation of Yarra Ridge grew, and from 1989 to 1995 every vintage of Yarra Ridge Chardonnay that was shown at wine competitions claimed a trophy.
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In August 1975 David and Christine Fyffe purchased a property near Yarra Junction that has softly undulating good soil and fabulous views to Mt Donna Buang
In the spring that followed they erected makeshift houses to stay in while they planted vines on their days off from running Mayerling Cellars. Initial plantings were 2 acres each of pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon and half an acre of gewrztraminer, which was fairly quickly replanted with merlot when it lost popularity. The original name Settlement Vineyards was already registered so they settled on Yarra Burn, as the property is located half way between the two small townships of Yarra Junction and Wesburn. Part time study in viticulture and oenology at Roseworthy and Charles Sturt and help from consultants contributed to Yarra Burn's success. In late 1977 the Fyffes sold their bottleshop to build a house and an estate winery at Yarra Burn. They were encouraged and assisted by their friends at Jean Jacques by the Sea in establishing an onsite restaurant.
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Yalumba, Australia's oldest family owned and operated winery, has a wealth of history and tradition
Yalumba was founded in 1849 by Samuel Smith, British migrant and English brewer, who had brought his family to Angaston seeking a new life. After purchasing a 30-acre parcel of land just beyond the southern-eastern boundary of Angaston, Smith and his son began planting the first vines by moonlight. Samuel named his patch Yalumba, aboriginal for 'all the land around'.
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Yal Yal Estate is a picturesque, boutique estate vineyard, planted to some spectacular terroirs on Mornington Peninsula
Yal Yal vineyard is tucked away into the valley amongst the rolling hills of Merricks. Only a five minute drive to the beach, the property gently slopes down the hill and abuts twenty acres of untrammeled bush, which is largely impenetrable and full of native animals and bird life. The vineyard resounds with the sounds of kookaburra's calling and koala's seeking their mates. An old wallaby can often be found at dusk hopping between the vines. Working closely alongside renowned winemaker Sandro Mosele, Liz and Simon Gillies launched the Yal Yal Road label in 2010.
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Yabby Lake Vineyard was established in 1998 on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, with the long-term goal of producing benchmark wines from the Burgundian varieties Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Yabby Lake Vineyard is owned by Robert and Mem Kirby who have been intimately involved in the Mornington Peninsula region for decades. The Kirbys are joined by two outstanding and renowned winemakers: Group Winemaker Tod Dexter and Consulting Winemaker Larry McKenna. Tod and Larry are known for their relaxed and unassuming personalities, and they apply the same approach to their winemaking: they work with the grapes to develop beautiful and distinctly superior wines that are truly expressive of Yabby Lake Vineyard. The first vintage from Yabby Lake Vineyard was produced in 2002.
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Nestled between Melton and Taylors Lakes on Leakes Road in Rockbank is Witchmount Estate Winery, one of the regions most accomplished and formidable winemaking operations
Witchmount Estate has been making some of Victoria's most consistent quality driven wines for many years, winning numerous medals and trophys, particularly for Shiraz. The Witchmount brand has now consolidated its place within the Australian wine industry. The entire winemaking team are involved in many of the best Victorian food and wine events. You’ll find Witchmount Estate at the Werribee Harvest Picnic, Hanging Rock picnic, Victoria’s annual Olive Festival, and also at a short distance from Melbourne.
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You can feel the history of Willow Creek as you pass through the red brick gate posts and catch your first glimpse of the homestead circa 1880
Willow Creek Vineyard is an estate of 12 hectares spreading across three slopes of undulating hills at Merricks North in the renowned cool climate region of Mornington Peninsula. The estate lies in the rain shadow, north east of Red Hill at an altitude of between 80 and 100 metres. It is slightly warmer and drier while still retaining the maritime influence. This provides a long cool ripening season, intense varietal characters, high natural acidity and fine tannins.
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Located in the cool, dry Sunbury region, Wildwood have been quietly crafting wines of elegance and balance since 1983
In the heart of the Oaklands Valley lies Melbourne's closest winery - Wildwood. There are few wineries in the world which can claim to have a large metropolis virtually on their boundary. Located just 4km north of the Melbourne Airport, off the Tullamarine Freeway, the vineyard stands at an elevation of 132m, allowing for panoramic views of the Melbourne skyline and out to the Mornington Peninsula. As the southernmost part of the Sunbury region, we experience a cool, dry climate, lying in the shadows of Mt. Macedon. History records that great wines were made in this area from the early 1800s.
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Whodunnit
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Stuart Wines’s White Box Vineyard is an exciting new venture located at Cornella in the famed Heathcote winegrowing area
Heathcote has earned a reputation as one of the most exciting wine producing regions in Australia, yielding reds of outstanding colour, varietal definition, elegance and ageing potential. Shiraz is the variety that has established the reputation of the area and makes up the majority of existing plantings. The moderate climate, dry summers and deep, red Cambrian soils of the area have proved ideal conditions for the variety. The mild climate and unique terroir produces bold, full-bodied, smooth red wines and is particularly famous for its empathy to shiraz.
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Water Wheel Vineyards is owned by the Cumming family who have farmed in the Bendigo region for fifty years
The history of the estate vineyards date back to 1833 when John Catto left his native Scotland to seek his fortune in the new colony of Australia. He settled near what would become Bendigo, calling his new home Memsie after the village from where he had come. John Catto planted his Memsie vineyard on clay soils, rich with limestones. The historic Memsie vineyard now produces delicious and well rounded, full flavoured Water Wheel wines.
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Warramunda Estate are unwavering in their commitment to produce wines which reflect true love for the land and passion for excellence
Warramunda means tomorrow, the long term vision of managing a sustainable, productive vineyard. Warramunda produce bespoke wines, which truly reflect the natural expression of Yarra Valley's Coldstream region. Ted Vogt purchased the original Warramunda property in 1975 and operated a cattle sheep stud. In 1980 the property was extended by an extra 320 acres. Yeringberg Creek ran through the land, a large dam was built in 1981 which now supports three vineyards and a grazing property. Ted’s son was a scientist with a passion for soil, he had the vision to redevelop Warramunda and establish a first class vineyard in 1998. The early harvests of Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, Marsanne, Viognier and Shiraz, were sold to local wineries including the illustrious Yering Station.
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Wantirna Estate Vineyard is not far from the centre of Melbourne
Planted in 1963 it was the first of the new generation vineyards, the Yarra Valley having been an important grape growing area in the 1800s. The impetus for the vineyard began back in 1956 when Reg Egan married Bertina Curcio whose mother was English but whose father was Italian. Wine and food were important in the Curcio household and so started a fascination with the history of wine in Victoria. Before long they had their minds on a vineyard somewhere in the Yarra Valley. The early vine plantings included all sorts of varieties, many largely unknown, for those early Australian wine growing days. Varieties such as crouchon, pedro ximenez, barbera and dolcetto. But it was the classical varieties that eventually won the day and in the 1970’s the vineyard was consolidated to focus on chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot and petit verdot. Much of the existing cabernet sauvignon and merlot vines were part of the original 1963 plantings.
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Walkerville is a very special place, nourished by decades of husbandry, rejuvenated by the brisk microclimes of Gippsland South, an extraordinary place to make precious vintages of world class Pinot Noir
The Rich family have been farming at Walkerville South Gippsland for five decades, mainly producing high quality lamb and beef. While they’ve spent many years on the land, developing animal production systems, a challenge that faces farms in Australia is to consider ways to make products that add value and uniquely reflect the characteristics of the region. The cool climate and good soil, sandy loam over clay, suitable aspects of different sites on the farm, provided an opportunity for growing premium cool climate wine grape varieties. Added to this, is the family’s passion for wine and precedence set by the region's small number of established vineyards and brands. Working with family members whose respective passion and professions have all helped to shape the foundation and direction.
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It is a wonder that Virgin Hills exists at all. It certainly should never have become what some of Australia's most respected wine critics have nominated as their desert island wine
Virgin Hills was the creation of eccentric Hungarian Australian sculptor restaurateur Tom Lazar. Arriving from Paris in the mid 1960s, he found a new country with a food and wine industry, very different to the one we know today. Lazar was determined to change all that. He established the renowned Little Reata restaurant in Melbourne. Then in 1968, came his grand vision of Virgin Hills. Inspired, he bought 300 acres of rugged bushland high in the Macedon Ranges. Lazar saw an opportunity to expose Australian palates to something very different; black cherries. After laborious clearing, the soil revealed itself to be quite poor for the purpose. Swiftly, Lazar had another grand vision.
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The Victorian Alps philosophy is to use the best fruit available, to employ the most talented and dedicated winemakers, and to let the wine do the talking
Victorian Alps Winery are committed to producing great wines. The aim is all about fabulous wines at affordable prices. The ranges include modern varietals, perfectly balanced blends and aome old favourites, something for everyone. Tobacco Road, Coldstone, Dividing Range, and Snowy Creek are the brands within the group. The operation boasts one of the country's finest cellar doors and produces some of the most innovative and awarded wines. The commitment to quality is un-compromising. Victorian Alps employs a team of excellent winemakers who are willing to throw their thoughts into the ring. They have virtually unlimited access to ultra premium cool climate fruit, grown by the partners in the business. And they have a large modern winery producing a small premium product.
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Underground are inspired by the possibilities of unexplored combinations, Underground seek to express the fundamental qualities of the grape
Underground Winemakers was established in 2006 at Mt Eliza by former T’Gallant employees, Adrian Hennessy, Peter Stebbing, and Jonothan Stephens. At that time the venture had no resources other than a collective wine industry experience of over 30 years and a resourceful, hands on determination. The vision was simple; source the right grapes and make quality, approachable wines which are true to style and expressive of variety. Underground take pride in their hands on approarch to vitticulture and winemaking, offering a range of individual, expressive wines which are true to variety and an honest reflection of the land.
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The story of Tyrrell's Wines is inextricably linked to the story of wine in Australia
It is a story about pioneers, men and women who transformed the Hunter Valley of NSW, planted grapes there, and looked for better ways to make wine. English immigrant Edward Tyrrell planted his first vines in the Hunter Valley in 1858 establishing Tyrrell's Wines after receiving a land grant in apparently poor pastureland in the lee of the Hunter Valley's Brokenback range.
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The 'two hands' are Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz who formed the company in 1999 with the clear objective of making the best possible Shiraz
Michael came to the wine industry from a construction background having spent years attending wine tastings and collecting the wines of the world. In 1998, he established his own Australian wine export company and after three successful years of selling other people's wine, he and business partner Richard Mintz decided to start their own operation.
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Turner’s Crossing Vineyard is located in Bendigo, a popular ford In the 1800s, used by local farmers to traverse the Loddon River
Today the fertile red soil is home to a 103-acre vineyard, where full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Viognier grapes are produced for a variety of Victorian winemakers as well as the award winning wines bearing the Turner Crossing label. The vineyard is around 10 kms north of both Water Wheel and Pondalowie Vineyards, and 20 kms west of Connor Park. The vines are planted on well-drained red sandy clay loam topsoil and average yield is below 3 tonnes per acre. The subsoil is red light-medium clay, containing limestone pebbles. There is minimal use of chemicals and pesticides are not used at all. Vines are spur pruned and bud numbers are calculated to allow low yields.
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They say that it is the people who make a winery. Sure a winery is about the vine and the wine, the terroir and the climate, but never underestimate the importance of the hand of man
People are the heart and soul of Tuck's Ridge. People tend the vines lovingly throughout the year. People meld and coerce the finest qualities out of the fruit and after all it is people that meet you with a smile and a glass of Vues Sparkling when you walk in our front door. So who are these people.? Peter Hollick and Helen Pattison own Tuck's Ridge. They are often around the place but most of the time they are enjoying the experience in much the same way you all do, appreciating fine wines. It has been a labour of love for Peter and Helen but one that they have both confronted with loyalty, honesty and a glass of Pinot Noir never far from hand.
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The Murphy Family migrated to Australia from Ireland in 1909 and were one of the first settlers to establish vineyards at Merbein 15km west of Mildura
The Murphys eventually moved to Trentham Cliffs in 1960 and re-developed one of the local properties which was once part of a large sheep station. Jack and Moya Murphy established their farm, which included plantings such as citrus, vegetables and grapes for fortified wines, and then later re-planted to specialize in varietal grapes. The vines flourished in the rich red loam over limestone soils, nurtured by water from the Murray River. The first vintage was produced in 1984, using only 6 tonnes of grapes.
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Situated right at the heart of the Yarra Valley, the Train Trak vineyards yield intensely flavoured wines, reflecting the exceptional grapegrowing conditions, rich soil and ideal elevation
The Yarra Valley is one of the most renowned wine regions in Australia. It is the birthplace of Victorian vineyards, where wine has been continuously produced for over a hundred years. Train Trak relates to the railtracks which run through the property over a quaint trestle bridge. The train line, built in the 1800s was an important link to the Yarra Valley and is still a significant landmark traversing the local vineyards and pasture.
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