Here are Australia's best kept secret wineries that the big retailers don't want you to know about. Every single wine listed here is something special, made with love and attention to detail and offers so much value it'll make you think twice about buying from anywhere else again. Explore our own independent wineries who are quietly making the greatest wines our country has to offer.
Paulmara Estates was established by Paul and Mara Georgiadis in 1999, with the first vines planted by Paul in 1995. All of our fruit is grown in this Georgiadis Estates vineyard.Our first wine, 'Syna' was inspired by our Greek and Californian heritage and shared passion for fine wine. 'Syna' is Greek for 'together' and captures our union of two like minds and hearts.Family is at the centre of everything we do, and the stories behind each of our wines are inspired by our life and those we love.
Barossa Valley, Australia
Gippsland, Australia
Lethbridge Wines grew from a friendship between Ray Nadeson, Maree Collis and Adrian Thomas. Back in the mid 1990’s we were busy establishing careers in science and medicine and shared a love of great wine which ultimately became quite an obsession. The afternoons sipping Burgundies were replaced by weekends searching for the perfect vineyard site and then by afternoons digging holes and planting vines. For two of us (Maree and Ray) the passion for wine drove us to a tree change, and in 2003 after 7 years of balancing careers in science and running a vineyard and winery, we made Lethbridge Wines our reison d'etre.Our aim is to produce natural, savory wines that focus on balance and texture with a real sense of place or terroir.Maree Collis and Ray Nadeson are not your average winemakers of a boutique winery. Both were initially trained as research scientists and hold PhD degrees in chemistry and medicine, respectively. While combining their scientific careers with winemaking, Maree and Ray completed the winemaking degree at Charles Sturt University. Ray states, "winemaking is not really that different to science, both are creative and both involve 99% perspiration, 1% inspiration".Not surprisingly, the site at Lethbridge was selected based on scientific principles such as soil type, degree days and other climatic indicators, yet when the three partners first explored the property they discovered an ancient old wooden fermentation vat in one of the old sheds. Discussion with the previous owner (Ivor Perdrisat) revealed that his family, Swiss in origin, had planted a vineyard on the exact site back in the 1870's before the discovery of phylloxera in the region. The old wine vat has been reincarnated as a beautiful timber tasting bench in the cellar door. This story is compelling in the connection between traditional wisdom and modern science.
Geelong, Australia
KATSALIDIS family, small production winery, high altitude, cool climate vineyard, Macedon Ranges. Ben Ranken, award winning winemaker.Only an hour's drive from Melbourne, Mount Monument offers an unspoiled environment to produce long-lived complex wines from the varieties Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Macedon Ranges, Australia
The project is the next chapter in the winemaking story of Doug Neal, formerly of the brilliant - and now no longer - Paradise IV.While the demise of the vineyard (which Neal did not own) is one of the more shocking and sad episodes in recent times, the legacy of the Paradise IV bottlings up to the final release 18 months ago left an indelible mark on the many fans amongst our customers. The wines also announced Neal as a formidable talent, albeit one who has flown under-the-radar for much of his winemaking career. Before Paradise IV finished, Neal had been working on the next stanza. His years learning under Giaconda's Rick Kinzbrunner as well as a growing list of consulting successes had honed his vision and understanding of the processes needed to give "voice" to ideas that had been percolating and taking form for decades.One of these was his aim to produce Shiraz that held elegance and nuance as well as density of flavour like those he had tasted in the northern Rhone valley (a feature of the Paraduse IV Dardel in fact) so when a mature vineyard, planted on granite, with multiple clones and at altitude in Murrumbateman became available for long term contract, the stars started to align on his new project, Altera Terra...Another Land.
Murrumbateman, Australia
At around 600m altitude on red decomposed shale and mudstone soils just above the Beechworth township our Red Hill vineyard is 100% Nebbiolo, planted to multiple clones on a combination of different rootstocks and own root material.With just over 1,000 vines our vineyard is considered tiny although if you multiply 1,000 by every time you stop to look, prune or tend it quickly begins to appear quite large! Red Hill rises to the east behind Beechworth coincidentally also home to another Nebbiolo vineyard planted just weeks after ours. Two people thinking this is the spot for Nebbiolo feels like a good omen to us. We are aiming to create a vineyard intrinsically in balance ie the goldilocks vineyard with just the right amount of fruit to just the right amount of leaves and just the right amount of root system. So far so good. The fruit has shown intensity with a combination of good colour and acidity.In 2018 we planted a new vineyard on the Beechworth Wangaratta Rd, a venture with a friend which will become our Rosso block of 80% Nebbiolo and 20% Barbera. This will also be our ongoing source of Chardonnay and the potential of this site is very exciting.
Beechworth, Australia
Established by winemaker Maurice O’Shea in 1921, Mount Pleasant’s history is rich in legends, legacies and special wines.Led by Chief Winemaker, Adrian Sparks, the Mount Pleasant team demonstrate a philosophy focused on sharing the best of the Hunter Valley told through every vineyard and every glass. Wine after wine, year after year (over 20 in fact!), Adrian has established himself as a true artist of winemaking, who excels in shaping his wines into something truly special.Mount Pleasant’s award winning history dates back to its early beginnings, a tradition of success which continues today.
Hunter Valley, Australia
We are a husband and wife team that love growing grape and making wine. In addition to running a B&B and self-contained cottage that overlooks our vineyard.As a very small boutique producer, only the grapes we grow are used to make our wines.View Wine is produced by Sancerre Estate Vineyard, in the heart of the Granite Belt, Ballandean Queensland. If your visiting the region and would like to visit it is best to phone ahead as we currently only take appointments.
Granite Belt, Australia
WELLINGTON & WOLFE: THE PURSUIT OF MASTERFUL RIESLINGMADE WITH THE FINEST FRUIT SOURCED FROM VINEYARDS IN NORTHERN TASMANIA, WELLINGTON & WOLFE WINES ARE CRAFTED TO SHOWCASE THE BEAUTY, DEPTH AND DIVERSITY OF THIS UNIQUE ISLAND.Wellington & Wolfe is a company dedicated to making the finest Riesling possible from Tasmania, started by myself with my wife in 2017.I explore both dry and off-dry, textural styles of Riesling, using skin contact, neutral oak fermentation and lees work to balance the zippy Tasmanian acidity. They speak to the regions from which they come: the Tamar Valley and Pipers River, respectively. The latter makes my Eylandt Reserve and is more delicate and pure, reflecting the sparkling wines that Pipers River is especially known for.The brand is designed to look traditional and reference the history I am fascinated by, but also be modern and a bit playful. Riesling has been made for thousands of years – there’s so much tradition, but equally so much innovation and so many styles. With Wellington & Wolfe I want to push the boat out and make my mark, without throwing out what has come before me.100% RIESLING 100% TASMANIA
Northern Tasmania, Australia
Fascinated by the ancient winemaking traditions of Georgia, Andy Buchan buried two Qvevri underground and...voila, Analog was born from the depths below.Now, Andy makes incredibly visceral versions of some lesser known varietals, taking stock of past traditions and invigorating new ones with unique approaches to low intervention wine making.Analog wines are natural, deliciously funky and made to enjoy with food and an open mind!
Multi-regional, Australia
Spain, Spain
Burgundy, France