Bobar Wines

Bobar Wines, founded by Tom Belford and Sam Llewellyn, is a small, family-owned winery in the Yarra Valley, Victoria. The name is a portmanteau of their family names. Their philosophy is driven by a deep respect for the land and a hands-off approach in the cellar. Bobar has a reputation for producing elegant, cool-climate wines that are a pure expression of their individual vineyard sites, with a particular focus on sustainable viticulture and a low-intervention style.

Winemaking Philosophy & Methods

The core of Bobar's philosophy is minimal intervention. They see their role as guiding the grapes from the vineyard to the bottle with as little interference as possible, allowing the unique character of the fruit to shine through.

• Vineyard Management: Bobar works with a small number of carefully selected vineyards in the Yarra Valley, including their own home block. These sites are managed with a focus on organic and sustainable viticulture, ensuring healthy soil and vine balance. They emphasize dry-farming to encourage deep root growth, which enhances the wines' complexity and resilience.

• Harvest & Fermentation: Grapes are hand-picked at optimal ripeness to retain natural acidity. The winemaking process is driven by wild (ambient) yeast fermentation, which allows the unique microflora of each vineyard to contribute to the wine's character.

• Additives & Filtration: A strict no-fining, no-filtration policy is followed. The wines are bottled with minimal sulfur additions, with some vintages being bottled completely without it, reflecting a commitment to purity and natural expression.

• Aging: Wines are aged in old, neutral French oak barrels (puncheons and barriques) and stainless steel tanks. The use of neutral oak is deliberate, ensuring that the vineyard's character is the star and not masked by new oak flavors.

Grapes & Wines

Bobar Wines' portfolio is focused on a classic cool-climate range, with an emphasis on single-site expressions that highlight the subtle differences between each vineyard.

• Pinot Noir: A key variety, Bobar's Pinot Noir is known for its elegance, bright red fruit, and savory, earthy notes. It often sees a proportion of whole-bunch fermentation, which adds complexity, texture, and a spicy lift to the finished wine.

• Chardonnay: Their Chardonnay is a textural, mineral-driven wine that is both complex and refreshing. It is a true expression of the Yarra Valley, with bright acidity and a focused, linear palate.

• Syrah: Bobar's Syrah is a cool-climate style, often a stark contrast to a warmer-climate Shiraz. The wines are medium-bodied, elegant, and peppery, with notes of dark berries and a distinct savory character. They may also be co-fermented with a small amount of Viognier to add aromatic complexity.

• "Wildman" Series: In addition to their core range, Bobar also produces a series of wines under the "Wildman" label, which are often more experimental and playful, showcasing different winemaking techniques and unique parcels of fruit.