Vineyards, homes, destroyed by bushfire

Sad news from the Victorian fires with family-owned Fowles Wines outside Avenel, north of Melbourne, suffering a "horror" blaze that left scorched vines, homes and sheds destroyed and dead sheep.

"Horror visited us on the vineyard in the past few days," owner Matt Fowles reported on social media. "We lost our home, sheds, vineyards and livestock. We are heartbroken."

But Fowles reported some good news.

"Thanks to the bravery of our team, friends and the CFA and helicopters, the winery is still standing."

Fowles said they had received offers of fruit from the 2025 vintage from other wineries and said: "Our cellar door and restaurant is unharmed and as soon as we are safely able to, we will re-open and welcome you back with open arms for some big hugs.

"Thanks for all the support - it means the world to our family. Our hearts go out to all the other local families fighting similar battles."

The Strathbogie Ranges winery, which produces around 80,000 cases a year, lost its entire crop

Sounds like a producer worth supporting down the road. And they will be open on Sunday.  

Image: Matt Fowles, Facebook

New releases showcase a new era for Fowles Wines

Fowles Wines pulled off a major coup when they signed up Matt Harrop as their chief winemaker late last year.

New Zealand-born Harrop is one of Australia's most talented winemakers, and a leading wine show judge.

He has worked at Rothbury Estate, Grosset, Brokenwood, Nautilus and Shadowfax and joined Fowles from Curly Flat Wines in the Macedon Ranges. He also has his own family wine label, Silent Way.

Harrop currently chairs the National Wine Show panel and has previously chaired the Melbourne Wine Show.

He has extensive experience working in climates and soils similar to those in Victoria's rocky Strathbogie Ranges, where Fowles is located.

"His expertise in cool-climate viticulture aligns perfectly with our vineyards in the Strathbogie Ranges," says Fowles Wines owner Matt Fowles.

"He is well positioned to drive our continued success."

Fowles has just released three impressive wines under its Stone Dwellers label, the first trio of wines in which Harrop played a role and finished prior to bottling.

 

The trio comprises the Fowles Stone Dwellers 2024 Arneis, 20124 Riesling and 2023 Sangiovese. All three are impressively cohesive, food friendly and offer excellent value with an RRP of $35.

While I enjoyed all three, the Arneis was my standout with its vibrancy, varietal character, structure and fruit-forward freshness. No oak, but lees treatment has added to the palate weight.

The Sangiovese is balanced, delightfully savoury and ready to enjoy immediately after being aged in almost neutral older French oak, while the Riesling is crisp, fresh, dry and versatile.

The future's so bright, they gotta wear shades.

See www.fowleswine.com