New wine range aims to highlight regional character

I'm not convinced that we need more wine brands right now, but newcomer King's Reach comes with an impressive pedigree. 

King's Reach wines are made at Marnong Estate by talented Alex Beckett and are made from grapes sourced from Victorian sub-regions including Sunbury, the King Valley and Heathcote. 

The wines, with an RRP of $30, are designed to be "summer-

ready". 

The King’s Reach wines are promoted as being small-batch releases made from old vine sites. 

The range includes a Prosecco and 2025 Pinot Grigio from King Valley, as well as a Sparkling Brut from Sunbury. 

I put my hand up to try them and really enjoyed the pinot grigio; crisp, fresh, vibrant and well suited to summer quaffing. 

Marnong Estate is known for outstanding cool-climate wines. 

“Marnong Estate is delighted to introduce King’s Reach to Aussie wine enthusiasts; with the 

whites we are releasing at launch being perfect for a tipple this summer," says Beckett. 

"Partnering with other Victorian growers to produce King’s Reach has allowed us to utilise their historical expertise of the land - delivering wines with a unique personality that are a testament to the
regions from which the grapes originate.” 

King’s Reach will also introduce two shiraz wines from the Sunbury and Heathcote regions from April. 

Marnong Estate shines with wine and food

Marnong Estate is a rising star of the Sunbury wine region close to Melbourne Airport. 

With a winemaking team led by talented Alex Beckett, upmarket accommodation and two eateries it is very popular with Melburnians in the know. 

I’ll post a story on the whole project soon but I was invited to join Beckett for lunch on Friday and thought you might like to see some of the photos from La Vetta, their Italian-accented eatery with spectacular views on the vineyards. 

No room for dessert! 

# The writer was hosted by Marnong Estate.

Rising Hunter Valley star takes on project in Victoria

Alex Beckett, one of the rising stars of the Hunter Valley wine industry, is heading for Victoria.

Beckett (above) has been appointed winemaker at Marnong Estate in the Sunbury wine region, just up the road from Melbourne Airport.

He has been making some outstanding wines at Briar Ridge, but was enticed south by the Marnong Estate challenge.

"I got approached for a new role at Marnong Estate," he told GOTR this morning. "They have lofty goals of high-end chardonnay and pinot noir in Sunbury as well as sangiovese and nebbiolo.

"They are keen to work with me in regenerative farming and sustainable operations - a very exciting move for me. I had seven years of rewarding challenges at Briar Ridge surrounded by great people and lifelong friends."

Beckett will oversee new plantings at Marnong Estate - which is in the same region as Craiglee and Goona Warra - as well as the completion of a new high-tech on-site winery in time for the 2024 vintage. 

Marnong wines have recently been made off site by consultant winemaker Sandrine Gimon. 

Historic Marnong Estate dates back almost 200 years and is a working cattle and sheep property on 480 hectares with a cellar door, functions centre and restaurants, as well as boutique accommodation. The first vines were planted in 2016. 

The description of the winemaker job read: "Marnong’s inaugural winemaker will be the key driver of wine quality and culture for the emerging brand, from the estate’s 12-hectare cool-climate vineyard to its extensive tourist and hospitality venues.

"Responsible for crafting the estate wines in the architecturally designed and high-spec winery, due for completion for vintage 2024, this role will also take ownership of the final fit-out and commissioning of the facility."

Image: Young Guns of Wine