De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate

De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate, part of the larger De Bortoli Wines family-owned company, is a prominent winery known for its focus on cool-climate varieties. Led by Steve Webber and Sarah Fagan, the Yarra Valley team is committed to a winemaking philosophy that prioritizes sustainability, minimal intervention, and a pure expression of their unique terroir. The estate is a blend of tradition and modern innovation, constantly evolving its techniques to produce elegant, site-specific wines.

Winemaking Philosophy & Methods

The core philosophy is to let the vineyard speak for itself. The team has moved away from a fuller, more oaked style in favor of wines that are racier, fresher, and more reflective of the site.

• Vineyard Management: The estate's vineyards, including the lauded Lusatia Park, are managed with a strong focus on soil health and biological diversity. They use organic and biodynamic methods, minimizing compaction and enhancing porosity to promote a healthy ecosystem. The Lusatia Park vineyard, in particular, is noted for its volcanic basalt soil and cool, windy climate, which naturally reduces yields and enhances flavor complexity.

• Harvest & Fermentation: Grapes are hand-picked and hand-sorted. Fermentation is often a combination of whole berry and whole bunch, with the specific technique varying by grape and desired style. They rely on indigenous yeasts for fermentation, allowing for a slower, more natural process.

• Additives & Filtration: Winemaking is guided by a low-intervention approach. The use of new oak has been cut back to allow the site to express itself more fully. They also follow a "vegan friendly" approach, avoiding animal products like egg whites. Wines are often unfined and unfiltered.

• Aging & Vessels: The wines are aged in a variety of vessels, including a mix of new and seasoned French oak barrels and large casks. For white wines like Chardonnay, there's been a clear move away from new oak to allow for a racier, fresher expression.

Grapes & Wines

De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate focuses on classic cool-climate varieties, while also exploring new and less common grapes.

• Chardonnay: This is a flagship white variety. Their Chardonnays have evolved from a fuller, richer style to a racier and more elegant expression, with a focus on capturing the mineral character of the volcanic soils.

• Pinot Noir: A key red variety, with a strong focus on clonal diversity from sites like the Lusatia Park vineyard. The wines are elegant and perfumed, with a distinct sense of place.

• Syrah: Sourced from the estate's vineyard, the Syrah is a cool-climate style, offering a detailed and aromatic profile with notes of white pepper and graphite.

• Gamay: An emerging star for the winery, the Gamay is made in a fresh, crunchy style with a focus on whole berry and whole bunch fermentation.

• Other Varieties: De Bortoli also works with a diverse range of other grapes, including Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Tempranillo, and Italian varieties from other regions, reflecting their commitment to exploring different expressions of Australian terroir.