Castagna

is a highly esteemed winery in Beechworth, Victoria, founded by Julian and Carolann Castagna. The estate is a pioneer in Australian biodynamic viticulture and is committed to making "old-world wines with new-world fruit." The wines are a pure reflection of the granitic-loam soil and continental climate of their high-altitude vineyard.

Winemaking Philosophy & Methods

Castagna's philosophy is deeply rooted in biodynamic farming and minimal intervention in the cellar. Julian Castagna famously states that he's a "wine grower, not a winemaker," believing that great wine is made in the vineyard.

• Biodynamic Farming: The vineyards have been farmed biodynamically since their inception in the late 1990s. They are fully certified organic and biodynamic. This approach focuses on creating a healthy, self-sustaining ecosystem that allows the ancient granitic soil's minerality to shine through in the wines.

• Viticulture: The vineyard is situated at 500 meters altitude, with hand-pruning and hand-picking being standard practice. The vines are managed for low yields (less than two tons per acre) to ensure fruit concentration and quality.

• Fermentation: Winemaking is very traditional, relying on indigenous yeasts from the vineyard. The wines undergo spontaneous fermentation in open vats.

• Additives & Filtration: The wines are bottled without fining or filtration. Sulfur additions are minimal and only used when necessary for stability.

• Aging: Wines are aged in high-quality, tight-grain French oak barrels, with a portion of the barrels being new each year. The red wines typically spend 18-20 months in oak. Some wines are also aged in concrete eggs.

Grapes & Wines

Castagna focuses on a core of cool-climate varieties that thrive in Beechworth's unique terroir, producing both classic expressions and innovative blends.

• Syrah: This is the flagship grape, planted with clones from original 1850s stock imported from the Rhône. The resulting wines are often elegant and fine, with a distinct cool-climate character of spice, pepper, and complex earthy notes, defying the stereotype of a big, bold Australian Shiraz.

• Sangiovese: Castagna was one of the first in Australia to commercially plant this variety. Their Sangiovese is made in a serious, structured style, akin to a Brunello, with notes of dark cherry and savory nuances.

• Viognier: Grown in the estate vineyard, the Viognier is used for both a single-varietal bottling and as a co-ferment with Syrah, adding floral aromatics and texture.

• Nebbiolo: Planted in the vineyard, Nebbiolo is a newer focus for Castagna, producing a wine with classic notes of tar and roses, yet with a unique peppery finish.

• Chenin Blanc: A white variety with a focus on producing wines with personality and a distinctive mineral core.

• Grower's Selection: Castagna also sources grapes from local, sustainably farmed vineyards for other projects, including a skin-contact Riesling.