Exploring Victoria’s Wine Regions With Drink Victorian
Over the course of June, sommeliers, wine leaders and wine buyers from across Trader House visited many of Victoria’s distinct wine regions to celebrate Drink Victorian with Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. It was an opportunity to learn and reflect upon Victoria’s rich winemaking history, as well as look toward the dynamic viticulture of wineries at the forefront of sustainable practices.
Barney, Sommelier at Cutler & Co.
“I was super excited to visit the Grampians/Western Victoria as part of the drink Victorian program. Despite having such a rich winemaking history, the region often has little representation on lists.
There were so many iconic names on day one — Mount Langi Ghiran, Best's and Seppelt. Dinner in the 3km underground cellars at the Seppelt winery was definitely a highlight.
The next day we started at Latta/Eastern Peake wines in the Pyrenees. Owen spoke about his biodynamic approach in the vineyard which was an interesting comparison to the more 'classic' styles of winemaking we had seen the day before.
The rest of the afternoon was filled with really generous hospitality from small breweries and distilleries. Dollar Bill Brewing, Red Duck and kilderkin distillery all focused on local ingredients and small unique bottlings.
All up, it was a really great reminder of why I think Melbourne's hospitality scene is the best in the country. It’s an ever-expanding number of good people making delicious things just outside the city.”
Broc Williams, Head Wine Buyer at Builders Arms Hotel
“The first day was packed full of the best the Rutherglen region has to offer, with hosts, Wines of Rutherglen, unquestionably Best On Ground. Finishing the day with a drinkable recap led by winemakers and dinner at Thousand Pound.
Day two started with breakfast and beers, and a cheeky gin tasting, at Nagambie Brewery and Distillery right on the banks of Nagambie Lake. Followed by a tasting with small producers at Restaurant Eighteen Sixty with a focus on local produce. After lunch, we had a deep dive into Victorian wine history at Fowles, featuring local Goulburn Valley icons Tahbilk and Mitchelton. What a ride…we really did Drink Victorian”
Broc travelled north to the Rutherglen region — from a tasting of alternative white varieties at Scion, lunch with a view of the future of sustainable wineries at Moodemere Lake, behind the scenes and back in time at All Saints, the best Reds of Rutherglen at Pfeiffer and a deep dive into the minutia of Muscat and Muscadelle at Chambers Rosewood.
April Farkhazy, Wine Leader at Cumulus Inc.
“It was amazing to be able to see the full winemaking process - from decisions made in the vineyard to how the wines are handled in the winery, and then bottled and distributed.
It was an incredible experience being able to fully immerse ourselves in the region and chat to the winemakers about their work”
April visited multiple vineyards across the Mornington Peninsula to learn about the winemaking at Montalto, Scorpo, Foxey’s Hangout, Elridge Estate, Prancing Horse Estate and Polperro.
