Latta Vino

is the creative and experimental label of winemaker Owen Latta, a generational vigneron based in Coghills Creek, Victoria, Australia. While his family's main label, Eastern Peake, focuses on classic, single-vineyard wines, Latta Vino is Owen's outlet for pushing boundaries and showcasing a wider range of grapes and regions within Western and Central Victoria. His approach is deeply rooted in respect for the land and minimal intervention in the cellar.

Winemaking Philosophy & Methods

Owen Latta's philosophy is an evolution of his family's long-standing tradition of respecting the vineyard. He combines traditional farming and winemaking methods with a modern, experimental spirit.

• Vineyard Management: Latta Vino is a "négociant" label, meaning Owen sources grapes from a patchwork of friends and family-run vineyards across Western and Central Victoria, often in areas like the Pyrenees and Coghills Creek. These sites are chosen for their unique terroir and are typically farmed using organic, biodynamic, or regenerative practices. This focus on healthy soil and sustainable viticulture is paramount to his winemaking.

• Harvest: All grapes are hand-picked at optimal ripeness to ensure a balance of natural acidity and flavor without excessive sugar.

• Fermentation: The winemaking process is driven by indigenous (wild) yeasts from the vineyards, with no additions of cultured yeast. This allows the unique character of each vineyard to be expressed in the wine.

• Additives & Filtration: Latta Vino is known for its minimal intervention approach, which includes a no-fining, no-filtration policy for most wines. Sulfur is used sparingly, if at all, with some wines being bottled with zero added sulfur.

• Aging & Unique Techniques: Owen utilizes a variety of vessels for aging, including neutral oak barrels of various sizes (228L, 300L, 500L), stainless steel, and concrete. He is also a big proponent of extended skin contact for white and rosé wines to build texture, complexity, and savory notes. He also experiments with techniques like whole-bunch fermentation and co-ferments to create unique flavor profiles.

Grapes & Wines

Latta Vino's portfolio is a vibrant and diverse collection of wines that showcase lesser-known varieties and unconventional winemaking styles.

• Pinot Gris: A key grape for Latta Vino, often made with extended skin contact to create textural, "orange" wines with a savory, saline character.

• Riesling: Sourced from granite soils, the Riesling is known for its vibrant acidity and mineral-driven character.

• Syrah & Grenache: These varieties are used to produce light, elegant, and peppery reds that are a cool-climate expression of these grapes.

• Sangiovese & Nebbiolo: Latta works with these Italian varieties, showing their potential in the cooler climate of the Pyrenees, resulting in wines with firm structure, bright acidity, and classic savory notes.

• White Blends & Pet-Nat: Latta is known for his creative blends and experimental projects, including "Pet-Nat" (pétillant naturel), a naturally sparkling wine, and unique co-ferments of multiple white varieties that defy conventional classifications.

• Rosé: Often made with a focus on a light, refreshing style with extended skin contact to give it a vibrant color and savory notes.