TarraWarra Estate adds new premium wine experiences

One of my very first gigs as a wine writer was attending the opening of TarraWarra Estate in Victoria's Yarra Valley. 

Owners Marc and Eva Besen put on quite a show. 

 

Four decades on, Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia (UWEA) has welcomed TarraWarra as the newest member of its collection of premium Australian wineries.

TarraWarra Estate brings together cool-climate wine, food, art and nature across a 400-hectare property in the heart of one of Australia's most-visited wine regions.

The Besens purchased the property in 1979 and launched four or five years later. 

Today, the estate encompasses 23.9 hectares of vines, an extensive nature reserve, cattle grazing, a kitchen garden, cellar door and restaurant, as well as a spectacular art gallery. 

UWEA executive officer Sarah Myers says TarraWarra Estate's combination of wine, food, art, impressive architecture and landscape makes it a natural addition to the collective.

“What makes TarraWarra special is how seamlessly these elements come together. Visitors can spend time exploring the estate, discovering its wines and food, and engaging with the art, architecture and natural environment in a way that feels distinctly Yarra Valley,” said Myers.

“TarraWarra reflects what we look for in an Ultimate Winery Experience – it goes well beyond wine tasting and gives visitors a deeper connection to the winery, its story and the region."

At the heart of TarraWarra Estate is its striking subterranean cellar door, where visitors can explore wines including chardonnay, pinot noir and syrah, alongside barbera, nebbiolo, pinot noir rosé and a roussanne-viognier-marsanne blend from talented winemaker Sarah Fagan. 

The chef-hatted restaurant is led by head chef Daniel Snooks. 

Two signature experiences will form part of TarraWarra Estate's UWEA offering.

The Vineyard Tour & Tasting ($200 per person) takes guests on a guided tour of the vineyards for an introduction to the estate and its approach to sustainable viticulture, before moving into the barrel hall for a private tasting of chardonnay and pinot noir. 

For a deeper immersion, Land, Vine & Vision ($450 pp) sees guests are welcomed at the cellar door before enjoying a six-course lunch with matched wines at the estate restaurant, followed by a visit to the TarraWarra Museum of Art and the Eva and Marc Besen Centre, where they can view works from the museum's collection that would ordinarily be held in storage. A version including private return transfers from Melbourne is also available for $750 per person.

“We are excited to work with Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia and the wineries it represents, each offering a unique perspective on Australian wine and the regions we call home,” said TarraWarra Estate general manager Samantha Isherwood.

TarraWarra Estate is at 311 Healesville-Yarra Glen Road, Yarra Glen. 

The cellar door is open Tuesday to Sunday, with the restaurant open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch.

New custodian for Toolangi wine brand

Rochford Wines owner Helmut Konecsny has passed the winery’s Toolangi brand and vineyard assets on to his long-serving winemaker, Kaspar Hermann, and his family, in a major move in the Yarra Valley.

Konecsny said this ensures Toolangi remains a family-owned vineyard as it becomes an independent business.

Konecsny, who purchased Rochford in 2002, has sold the Toolangi brand and its vineyard assets to Hermann, the winemaker who has shaped its wines for years.

Toolangi will now operate independently under Hermann’s direction with Hermann continuing his role as winemaker for both houses.

Konecsny purchased the Toolangi brand from Garry and Julie Hounsell in 2017.

“Wine is made by people, not portfolios,” Konecsny said. “Kaspar has poured his heart into these wines. He has walked these rows through frost and heatwave, through hard vintages and great ones.

"A winery is not barrels and buildings. It is the people who give their lives to it. The proudest thing an owner can do is not to hold on. It is to hand over well, to the right hands. Toolangi is in the right hands.”

For Hermann, the transition fulfills a lifelong dream.

“Every winemaker carries a quiet dream that one day the wines they make might carry their own family’s name behind them,” Hermann said.

“Helmut has made that dream real for us. Nothing changes in the glass. The same vineyards, the same standards, the same hands on every vintage. 

"What changes is the heart behind the label. My children will grow up knowing their name is on a vineyard, and that is because one man chose loyalty over consolidation.”

Bicknell exits Oakridge after 24 1/2 years

David Bicknell, one of Australia's finest and most influential winemakers, has been cut lose by Endeavour Group, owners of Yarra Valley winery Oakridge.

Bicknell, who has headed operations at Oakridge for almost a quarter of a century, announced the split on social media. 

He is a chardonnay maestro and an inspiration to many in the wine industry. 

"Well, that’s it," Bicknell wrote. "After nearly 24 and a half years, my time Oakridge Wines has come to an end.

"It’s been an amazing ride, taking what was broken winery to the top of the industry with an unwavering commitment to quality and plenty of hard graft. Some really good times with some really good people.

"They say you never know you’re going to get boned until you do. And so it is. Thankfully, I leave a highly trained, capable and talented team for the next piece of history. Your support for them would mean a lot to me."

Bicknell was Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the Year (2017), is a past Dux of the Len Evans Tutorial (2005) and co-founder of the Victorian Pinot Noir Workshop (2002).

He is a senior wine show judge with 20 years of experience across both regional, capital city shows and was the Chairman of Judges for the National Wine show of Australia from 2019 to 2023.

After completing winemaking studies at Roseworthy College in 1993, Bicknell joined De Bortoli Wines in the Yarra.

After a 10-year tenure, which included added winemaking stints in Burgundy (Louis Latour), Alsace (Paul Blanck) and Beaujolais (Chateau Bluizard), he took over at Oakridge Wines in 2002, establishing the producer among Australia's best.

Oakridge was named the number one winery in Australia by both the Halliday Wine Companion and  Real Review in 2023.

He and partner Nicky Harris have operated side project Bicknell FC since 2011.

Meet a new name on the Yarra Valley wine scene: e'Stellar

There is a new name in the Yarra Valley wine firmament.  

e’Stellar is owned by members of one of Australia’s highest-profile wine families but will operate independently. 

Joe and Cathy Casella, of the Australian winemaking empire Casella Family Brands, began their Yarra journey in 2017 when they purchased Graeme Miller’s historic Dixons Creek site. 

In 2025, they added the neighboring Mandala vineyards, unifying the two properties into a single 40-hectare project named e’Stellar Estate. 

It is a stand alone personal project for the couple, managed completely separately from the corporate Casella Family Brands portfolio. 

The project builds on the legacy of the Henkell family, who first planted the celebrated Mandala site in 1980, and the neighbouring Dixons Creek Estate established by Jimmy Watson Trophy winner Graeme Miller. 

Steering the project is winemaker and GM Martin Siebert, whose background includes vintage work in Burgundy and two decades at top-tier Yarra Valley producers Yarra Yering, Coldstream Hills, and Tokar Estate. 

Siebert found a 15-year-old museum sparkling base, resting on lees, in storage, from the original Graeme Miller days, which has been disgorged and released as the limited e’Stellar Legacy Sparkling ($60). 

While reviewing old records, Siebert unearthed invoices indicating half of that parcel of sparkling wine was quietly resting on lees at the contract facility. Upon requesting a sample bottle to be disgorged for evaluation, Siebert and the team realized they were sitting on a vinous treasure,

There are 11 wines included in the first release, divided across two core tiers ($32 and $45): the e’ Range ($32): chardonnay, pinot noir, rosé, and cabernet syrah and e’Stellar Range ($45): chardonnay, pinot noir, syrah, cabernet sauvignon, blanc de blancs, and sparkling rosé NV. 

A new cellar door by Q+Co Design Studio is currently under construction for a launch in the coming months, the estate's commercial footprint is already anchored by the property's existing dining establishment: DiVino Ristorante.

Operating under the new e’Stellar banner, the Italian pavilion has called this site home for seven years and welcomes guests from Wednesday through Sunday for lunch and Friday and Saturday evenings for dinner.

The debut 2025 e’Stellar Estate wines are now available online, before the cellar door experiences open to the public in the coming months.

More info at https://www.estellarestate.com.au/.

New wines come with a serious pedigree

Barely a week goes by without someone launching a new wine brand, often with grandiose claims to uniqueness.

This is the second release of wines from the Cat and Frank label - the first time I have seen them - but these newcomers have a serious pedigree behind them.

Cat and Frank are Catia d'Anna and her father Franco, the winemaker behind multiple Yarra Valley labels including Hoddles Creek, Wickhams Road and 1er Yarra Valley, all labels known for quality and value for money. The family also owns highly-rated Boccaccio Cellars. 

Distribution of the 2025 Cat and Frank Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is limited right now - but they will be well worth looking out for at $30 RRP. 

Catia D’Anna (above) has been surrounded by vineyards and wineries all her life.

She completed a science degree and subsided her university lifestyle with working part time in the family's vineyards.

She has completed vintages at Brokenwood Wines and Craggy Range as well as alongside father Franco at Hoddles Creek Estate - learning a few tips and tricks along the way.

Franco is guiding Catia with sourcing select fruit from the Upper Yarra and transferring his winemaking finesse to her one step at a time, their website says. 

The chardonnay has impressively McGrathian line and length and marries impressive clarity with interesting but  subdued textural elements. My wife described it as “not overly fussy but sophisticated” - and poured herself another glass. 

The pinot noir skips along the palate with youthful enthusiasm. This is a lovely cool-climate wine: aromatic with a beguiling balance between fruit and savoury notes. Delightful as a youngster.

See https://www.catandfrankwines.com.au/

Punt Road opens a new wine destination

Visitors to the Yarra Valley have a new wine experience to enjoy with the recent opening of the new cellar door for Punt Road Wines.

Next door to Meletos restaurant and surrounded by vines and orchards, the new space has a barrel hall for tastings, and a new small plates menu.

It is just 400 metres from the former home of Punt Road, the new facility also offers The Farmhouse accommodation, and Il Massaggio day spa, creating an all-in-one destination surrounded by vineyards.

Bookings for the new cellar door at 12 St Huberts Road, Coldstream are now open. You can book your visit here.

Punt Road has an almost 40-year history and makes wines under the Punt Road and Airlie Bank labels.

The Napoleone family-owned and -operated cellar door offers two wine tasting experiences: the Classic Wine Tasting for $15 per person, or the Food and Wine Experience for $65pp (two-person minimum) featuring five estate-grown wines paired with a seasonal selection of local and international cheeses and small bites.  

Coldstream Hills marks a milestone in style

Coldstream Hills, the Yarra Valley producer founded by wine guru James Halliday, is celebrating its 40th birthday.

Halliday has retired to Sydney and Coldstream Hills has long been part of Treasury Wine Estates, but it remains one of the Yarra's most celebrated wineries. 

Consistency is provided by former Seppelt winemaker Andrew Fleming, who has been chief winemaker since 2001. 

To mark 40 years, The Amphitheatre Experience will be held on November 15 and 16 at the Coldstream Hills cellar door. 

Hosted by wine raconteur George Samios and set overlooking the spectacular Amphitheatre Block - the first vineyard planted by Halliday in 1985 - the tasting will includes eight current and back-vintage wines, paired with an artisanal grazing platter.

The cost is $60 per person. Book Your Tasting. 

There will also be a 40th birthday wine dinner on Wednesday, November 19, at The George on Collins, Melbourne. 

Guests can join Fleming and Samios for a three-course menu matched with rare and current Coldstream Hills wines, plus behind-the-scenes tales of how it all began.

This costs $250 per person. Book your dinner ticket. 

There will also be back vintage tastings every weekend in November at the cellar door. 

Tasters can go into a draw to win a museum magnum selected by Fleming, and receive a bonus bottle of Beenak Pinot Noir with every six-bottle purchase. 

I'd recommend enjoying a glass of the award-winning 2018 Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay, which I thoroughly enjoyed at a recent tasting. It is lemony and briochey with a very lively mousse. A serious bargain for $35. 

Also try to taste the restrained, elegant and minerally 2024 Beernak Chardonnay ($55), the soft and plush 2024 Deer Farm Vineyard Pinot Noir ($50) and the Coldstream Hills 2024 Reserve Chardonnay ($60), a wine of balance and intensity. 

   
Coldstream Hills Cellar Door, 29 Maddens Lane, Gruyere, Vic. https://www.coldstreamhills.com.au/

New villas for wine lovers visiting the Yarra Valley

Good news for wine lovers frustrated by a lack of weekend accommodation in the Yarra Valley.

In addition to the soon-to-open Levantine Hill Hotel, the RACV this week unveiled plans for a $27 million expansion of its Healesville Country Club & Resort.

Located in the heart of the Yarra Valley, just over an hour from Melbourne, RACV Healesville Country Club & Resort's expansion will be a major boost to regional tourism in Victoria.

The development project will feature 12 new premium villas providing luxe two-bedroom accommodation for families and small groups, along with a new golf pro shop and new sports and recreation facilities.

The addition of the new villas and facilities will create over 250 jobs during construction and 26 ongoing positions once operational, injecting an estimated $3.8 million annually into the local economy.

"RACV is committed to investing in regional Victoria and this project is a great opportunity to expand the accommodation options that are available in the Yarra Valley," said Craig Peachey, RACV executive general manager leisure.

"These new luxury villas and facilities will help to meet the growing demand for family and group style accommodation, while enhancing the Yarra Valley’s reputation as a premium tourism and golfing destination.

“During weekends and peak periods, the resort is fully booked in advance, so potential visitors to the region may look elsewhere for their getaway. This expansion will enable the facility to welcome up to 16,700 additional guests annually."

RACV Healesville Country Club & Resort offers a choice of Lawn View rooms, Golf View rooms, and Premium Mountain View room, all featuring en suite bathrooms, minibars, and robes.

RACV Healesville Country Club & Resort is also home to a day spa, pool and fitness centre, along with the 18-hole golf course, and Banyalla and Riddell's Green restaurants.

Construction is scheduled to commence in mid 2026 with the new villas expected to welcome their first guests by mid 2027.

For more info see racv.com.au/travel-experiences/.

Family-owned Yarra Valley wineries to open their sheds

 

Enjoy visiting smaller wineries? 

Make a note of the upcoming Yarra Valley Shedfest 2025. 

The event will be held in the Yarra on the weekend of October 11-12. 

Lovers of cool-climate wines can bring friends, kids and even your fur babies to 13 family-owned Yarra Valley producers. 

Each winery will offer its own twist on food, tastings, music and entertainment. 

The entry ticket is a flat $35, which gives access to tastings at all participating wineries on one and/or two days.

Tickets can be purchased at an earlybird rate until October 1 to save 10%.

A diverse selection of dishes under $25 will be available at each participating winery.

Menu offerings will range from authentic Sicilian barbecue from Melitta Next Door head chef Lorena Corso, Texan-style burgers, pizzas and pasta, Vietnamese bao, and Japanese curries. Kids and those with special dietary requirements won’t miss out either, with most wineries catering for both.

The wine producers involved are: Billanook Estate, Boat O'Craigo, Fin Wines, Helen's Hill, Seville Hill, Six Acres, Soumah, Steels Gate, Sutherland Estate, Tokar Estate, Whispering Hills, Yering Farm and Yileena Park.

 

The event will run from 11am-5pm on each day. 

Discover more at http://shedfest.com.au/

Small Luxury Hotels expands global portfolio

A boutique hotel in the vineyards of the Yarra Valley is among the new properties being showcased by the fast-expanding Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) group.

SLH, known for its global portfolio of boutique properties, has continued a growth spurt, announcing 49 additions to its portfolio in the first half of 2025.

This follows a record-breaking 2024, in which the brand saw 82 new signings.

They joined 620 hotels across 90+ countries and SLH's latest additions include destinations in Australia, Japan, Mexico and India.

Opening in December is December is the 33-room Levantine Hill Hotel, a suite-only hotel next to Levantine Hill Estate's cellar door and restaurant to allow guests to indulge in exceptional dining experiences. See https://www.levantinehill.com.au/pages/hotel

“2024 was a record year for SLH, and 2025 is shaping up to surpass it,” said Richard Hyde, SLH Chief Operating Officer.

“As the demand for genuine and intimate luxury stays continues to soar, we are in the right place at the right time. Our expanding and diverse portfolio of independent properties ensures there's something for every discerning, independently minded traveller.”

Openings in early 2025 included La Valise Mazunte in Mexico, located between Oaxaca's rugged cliffs and the Pacific Ocean.

July 2025 saw the opening of The James Suite Hotel Firenze 1564, a hidden retreat in the centre of Florence, housed in a 16th-century Renaissance palazzo built in 1564.

Maya Hotel Courchevel 1850, meanwhile, will open in the heart of French mountain resort Courchevel in December, with easy access to the ski slopes and nearby boutiques.

In Germany, the Wilmina Hotel marks SLH's arrival in Berlin located in a former courthouse and prison.

For more info visit www.SLH.com

The Yarra celebrates winter

The Yarra Valley celebrates winter over two weeks in late June and early July. 

Fireside Festival - Yarra Valley, running from June 27 to July 13, features a series of events over one of Australia’s most celebrated wine regions. 

Events range from open-fire feasts and bold winter reds to immersive masterclasses and fun tastings. 

Fireside Festivalbrings together 20+ Yarra Valley wineries and venues in a two-week winter celebration of wine, warmth and regional hospitality.

Whether you're looking to highlight regional food and wine experiences, emerging trends in cool-climate wine, or the growing visitor appeal of winter in Victoria’s wine country, Wine Yarra Valley promises something for every taste. 

The full program is live at: wineyarravalley.com.au/fireside

Wine and food to the fore as small producers get together

Enjoy visiting smaller wine producers? Fancy a day or two in the Yarra Valley? 

The Shortest Lunch festival returns on June 20-21 with 13 family-run wineries linking up for two days of cool-climate wines, hearty winter fare, fireside tastings and live music, all in celebration of the winter solstice.

The Shortest Lunch offers the chance to meet the makers behind the cellar doors and discover small-batch wines. 

Guests will be able to taste over 100 wines, including exclusive aged and new-release drops, with food menus that span wood-fired flatbreads, slow-cooked ragu, vegan Mediterranean fare, and spiced apple desserts, all priced under $25. 

It is a family- and dog-friendly event, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options at every stop, and live music and vineyard views included.

Tickets start at $35 for a full weekend pass (including a souvenir tasting glass), with Wine & Dine ($70) and VIP packages ($100) also available. 

The line-up of participating wineries includes: Boat O'Craigo, Fin Wines, Helen's Hill Estate, Seville Estate. Seville Hill, Soumah (a must-visit),  Steels Gate, Sutherland Estate, Tokar Estate, Yering Farm, Bilanook Estate, Whispering Hills and Yileena Park. 

Expect sparkling, rosé, red, white, orange, Pet Nat and dessert wine styles, along with small-batch ciders and beers. 

Use the code EARLYBIRD before June 1 to receive 10% off all ticket types. Proceeds from the event support vital local causes, with over $100,000 raised to date for groups such as the local CFA, SES and Make-A-Wish Australia.

See www.shortestlunch.com.au for tickets and more information on the wineries, menus, ticket types and transportation.

Joint wine venture aiming for high marks

The d'Anna family never sits still.

The d’Annas have been selling wine and gourmet products to Melbourne residents for over 60 years at their Boccaccio Cellars store in Balwyn.

The family recently added a new wine bar/bistro, Enoteca Boccaccio, which quickly gained an Age Good Food Guide hat.

The family also owns the much-admired Hoddle Creek Estate winery in the Yarra Valley, producing superb-value wines under labels including 1er Yarra Valley, Hoddle Creek, Wickhams Road, along with several stand-alone offerings.

Hoddles Creek Estate was established in 1997 when the D'Anna family decided to establish a vineyard on the property that has been in the family since 1960.

All the wines are single vineyard, estate grown, and are made in a 300-tonne winery.

Just to make sure there are no dull moments, the d'Anna family is also involved in a small-batch DML VIN venture: D’Anna Middleton Lewis, with Sam Middleton and Jordan Lewis.

The brand focuses on single-site regional pinot noir with the first vintage being released in June 2019. The new 2022 releases are a contrasting pair from the Yarra Valley and the Mornington Peninsula, the Yarra wine is more ethereal, the Mornington offering more sturdy, and savoury.

The Mornington pinot is a blend from two vineyards on the Peninsula, one situated in Balnarring and the other in Merricks, while the Yarra wine comes from a well-regarded upper Yarra Valley vineyard. A fascinating contrast in styles.

Four-time AFL premiership player Jordan Lewis, ex Hawthorn and Melbourne, and his wife Lucy developed a love for wine when they spent time in Florence.



Upon returning to Australia, he wanted to explore the world of wine a little bit deeper. Through good fortune he met the d'Anna boys over social media and a friendship through wine was born.



Sam, meanwhile, is a third-generation winemaker from the Middleton family and has held the role of head winemaker at highly renowned Mount Mary since 2011.

His background includes stints at Coldstream Hills and Dominique Portet, as well as working in Burgundy.

Three different inputs; two stylish wines.

For more info see DML VIN

Yarra Valley celebrates chardonnay diversity

The Yarra Valley produces some of Australia's finest chardonnays - made in a range of styles. 

Now Yarra Ranges Tourism and Wine Yarra Valley has announced an "All Chardonnays Great and Small" campaign. 

The initiative runs until the end of April and celebrates the region's diverse chardonnay offerings. 

The program invites wine enthusiasts and visitors to explore the many expressions of chardonnay crafted by the valley's winemakers.

Many local cellar doors will be hosting special tastings as part of the showcase. 

The region’s cool-climate and diverse microclimates allow for an exceptional range of styles, from lean and crisp to rich and textured. 

Chardonnay grapes are cultivated worldwide but the Yarra has proved to be fertile ground for the grape variety. 

Chardonnays made by Oakridge, Seville Estate, Yarra Yering, Coldstream Hills, Giant Steps, De Bortoli, TarraWarra Estate and many more are regularly recognised as being among Australia’s best.

See All Chardonnays Great & Small | Visit Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges for details.

A seriously sassy take on savagnin

Savagnin is the rare grape variety used in the famous vins jaunes (yellow wines) made in the Jura region in France.

There is a fair bit of savagnin planted around Australia - quite accidentally as the original clippings were believed to be the Spanish grape albarino. The grape should not be confused with sauvignon blanc, which is a very different beast. 

Savagnin is made in various styles Down Under but Yarra Valley producer Soumah is really pushing the boundaries with its recent release: Soumah Solero Method Wild Savagnin No.3.

"It is enjoyable to keep honing mainstream varieties but sometimes taking the road less travelled leads to surprising terrain with leaves you wanting more," says the Soumah team, led by winemaker Scott McCarthy.

Savagnin is an ancient variety which can be tracked back to the 10th century, where it was established in the Alpine regions of northern Italy.

"Inspired by original winemaking techniques, we decided to hand-ick and foot stomp some small parcels of savagnin before fermenting the juice in clay eggs with indigenous yeasts with full solids - potentially mirroring historical methods of production," says Dmitiri Lazariuc, Soumah's director of sales.

The Solero system sees vintages "laid over each other" and their are wines from five different years in the Solero No.3, starting with 2015, in an effort to add depth and intensity.

"We contend that there would not have been a concept of 'vintage' wine in the first millennium, so the practice of layering different vintages was probably widespread."

So a thoroughly modern wine made using ancient techniques - and with an end result that is far removed from the oxidative style of vin jaune.

This has freshness to complement the personality, intensity and subtle funk.

My notes: A kaleidoscope of flavours and textures but a wine that is very chilled out. Citrus and nuts on the nose; stone fruits and bright acid on the palate. A cool dude whose just had a good smoke. 

Soumah, Solero No. 3 Wild, Yarra Valley, Victoria NV. $110. See www.soumah.com.au.

New Yarra Valley luxury hotel unveiled

Elias Jreissati and his team at Levantine Hill are obsessive about quality. 

Whether it comes to architecture and design or food and wine, only best is good enough for the property tycoon and art collector.  

Now the Levantine Hill precinct in the Yarra Valley is preparing for a new arrival - a luxury boutique hotel on the banks of the river. 

Levantine Hill Hotel is set to open in June 2025 and will be part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection.

Within a short walk of the vines, the winery cellar door, fine dining restaurant and events centre, the new boutique hotel will offer 33 suites over two levels, each with its own living area, study and private balcony with stunning views over the vineyards and surrounding hills.

Eight of the suites will feature expansive circular baths while the Optume Suite (named after the winery's flagship label) will have its own dressing room, open fireplace, cellar and bar, making it a great choice for a bridal suite or cocoon for couples.

Designed by Australian architects, FK (aka Fender Katsalidis), the striking hotel embodies the “Genius Loci” as a guiding principle of Karl Fender’s original approach for Levantine Hill, drawing inspiration from wine barrels. 

With a strong commitment to sustainability, the hotel has been built using a range of natural materials throughout, as well as plants for privacy, the implementation of water harvesting and purification.

Guests will be able to enjoy access to multiple on-site heli pads (helicopter is the perfect way to arrive at Levantine Hill), a fully equipped indoor gym, an outdoor exercise area and a 1.5 km walking track which will wind through sculpture-filled gardens featuring over 30 world-class sculptures. 

Complimentary continental breakfast and a fully-stocked mini bar will be included in every stay.

For more information visit https://www.levantinehill.com.au/

Innocent Bystander changes direction

A "new strategic direction" will see the Yarra Valley lose one of its most popular cellar doors.

Brown Family Wines, the owner of Innocent Bystander, has announced plans to sell the brand's tasting facility, eatery and bar in Healesville.

The reason: Innocent Bystander has "evolved" and is no longer seen as purely a Yarra Valley brand.

"We are excited to announce a new strategic direction for Innocent Bystander that will see the brand expand its footprint across Australia and abroad," a press release says.

"This shift will focus on urban wine experiences and significant growth outside its traditional Yarra Valley roots."

Pop-up urban cellar door experiences in cities including Brisbane and Sydney have resulted in the change of direction.

Georgia Bruton, Brown Family Wine Group’s chief marketing officer, says Innocent Bystander’s success outside the Yarra Valley has led to exponential growth, transforming it into a national brand with an international presence.

As a result, Brown Family Wine Group has decided to sell the Healesville cellar door. This move reflects the brand’s evolution from a Yarra Valley-focused winery to "a dynamic, urban wine brand with limitless growth potential".

Sarah Thomas, Brown Family Wine Group’s head of human resources, risk and safety, says: “We are absolutely committed to supporting our team at Innocent Bystander as we go through this sale process, and to ensure future employment.

"During this transition, the Innocent Bystander cellar door will continue to operate and be staffed as normal until a sale is complete. We are incredibly grateful to our employees for their continued support of the Innocent Bystander cellar door and brand.”

The annoucement coincides with the announcement of a new line: Watermelon Spritz.

This, Bruton says, “is a perfect example of a new and exciting wine that fits with the brand’s new strategic direction and growth plans."

No comment.

Movies in the vineyards for a Christmas treat

A pre-Christmas trip to the Yarra Valley vineyards?

How about a glass or two of wine, a hearty meal and a classic movie under the stars?

Cinema in the Vines returns to Tokar Estate the weekend before Christmas (December 21-22).

The family-owned Yarra Valley winery will be screening two sessions of festive family films: Home Alone and The Polar Express.

Guests are invited to start their evening with a treat from Frosty’s Kitchen, the Yarra Valley’s popular food truck, paired with a sampling of Tokar Estate’s premium cool-climate wines, local craft beers, or cocktails.

Adults can relax with their drinks on a picnic rug while the kids enjoy lawn games in the picturesque vineyard setting.

Kids of all ages can also visit the Tokar Estate’s candy bar, featuring Choc Tops, crisps, and hot-buttered popcorn.  BYO picnic rug, bean bag or camping chair.

Tickets are $22 for adults and $14 for children with a family ticket $65 for two adults and up to three young 'uns. Children under three are admitted free. Tokar Estate is a fully licenced venue, so there is trictly no BYO food or beverage.

Tickets for Home Alone can be purchased here.

Tickets for The Polar Express can be purchased here.

Go small, seriously small, at Shedfest

Shedfest, the spring wine festival in the Yarra Valley, is a celebration with a difference. 

If you enjoy events hosted by artisans and micro-producers then Shedfest might appeal to you. 

Shedfest returns over the weekend of October 12-13 with 14 members of the Yarra Valley Smaller Wineries Association opening their boutique, family-run cellar doors for wine lovers to enjoy wine tastings, matching food bites, lawn games, fire pits, views and live music.

 
Two new participant -  Yileena Park and Helen's Hill Estate - will be involved for the first time, while Six Acres and Seville Estate returning after absences of several years. 

Some wineries will also offer exclusive deals and experiences for guests, including lawn games at Sutherland Estate, a free family petting zoo at Tokar Estate, a classic car display at Steels Gate and kids colouring books at Yileena Park.

There will be a total of over 100 Yarra Valley wines to try, across all styles. 

Each winery will offer entrée-sized bites for under $25 to accompany the wines with menu offerings ranging from Sicilian barbeque, to Texan-style burgers, to pizzas and calzones, to Vietnamese banh mi and modern Thai cuisine. 

Organisers have changed the entry ticket to a flat rate of $35, rather than a day or weekend ticket.

Early bird tickets with 10% off are available to purchase now via shedfest.com.au. 

Bastard Hill sees Giant Steps take huge strides

It is a cold, wet, windy and exposed vineyard with absurdly steep slopes. 

But even though it is much hated by vineyard workers - hence the name - Bastard Hill is one of  the best sites in Australia for growing quality cool-climate chardonnay and pinot noir. 

Located in the Upper Yarra Valley, near Gladysdale, the 13-hectate Bastard Hill, which sits at 280 metres above sea level, has had several owners over the years but is now under the custodianship of Mel Chester and her Giant Steps winemaking team. 

It was acquired in 2022 after being planted by leading viticulturist Ray Guerin in 1985 - initially to provide fruit for sparkling wine production.  

Chester says the vineyard still needs "some care and attention" to reach its peak, but its immense potential is underlined by the inaugural releases as part of Giant Steps' single vineyard program. Both are stunning wines.

I tasted all the 2023 Yarra Valley wines with Chester a week or so ago, and was blown away by the way the new releases reflect the different terroirs of the Bastard Hill, Tarraford, Sexton, Primavera and Applejack vineyards. 

These are not cheap wines: the chardonnays sell for around $90 a bottle and the pinots for around $100, but such is their quality they are close to being sold out. 

No doubt helped by Giant Steps being named Winery of the Year in the new James Halliday Wine Companion annual, and the Applejack Pinot Noir being anointed as pinot noir of the year. 

All the wines in the range are astutely crafted and sublimely nuanced.

"The 2023 vintage was one of the coldest and latest on record, helping the vineyards produce wines of wonderful purity and tension," Chester (above) says. 

"I think you will notice the crystalline texture and pure voices of the chardonnays, while the pinots have wonderful fresh perfume."

I am far from the only fan of these wines, they are racking up positive reviews and show awards at a rapid rate. 

Here's the line-up: 

2023 Tarraford Chardonnay: Intense with pink grapefruit notes; still very taut and tight. 

2023 Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay: Stunning. A little softer but still blessed with very vibrant acidity. Muscularity and subtlety in the same package. 

2023 Applejack Vineyard Chardonnay: Made in tiny quantities with both power and restraint. Very pure as it saw zero malo. 

2023 Bastard Hill Chardonnay: What a debut! Lean, commpelling, classic cool-climate flavours for lovers of Chablis.      

2023 Bastard Hill Pinot Noir: A tour de force. A wine with a delightful flow on the palate. Impressive fragrance and texture. Cellar worthy. 

2023 Primavera Vineyard Pinot Noir: Great length on this one with a lively line of minerality at its core. 

2023 Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir: Serious power and intensity here, but also beauty and poise. Great fruit and spice. 

2023 Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir: Fruit forward; the biggest of the pinots with meaty elements. Glossy and grounded. 

A legendary line-up. See www.giantstepswine.com.au before they are all sold out.