Wine Soundtrack - Australia Wine Soundtrack

The history of Mount Pleasant goes hand in hand with the history of Modern Australian winemaking. Established in 1921 by legendary winemaker Maurice O’Shea, ours is a story of genuine pride, perfectionism and our very special place. The Old Hill Vineyard is planted by Charles King on rich, volcanic soil with a number of varietals, including the Shiraz we still harvest to this day. Our flagship Maurice O’Shea Shiraz is awarded 99 points by world-renowned wine critic James Halliday. Awarded number 3 in the Top 100 Australian Wineries by Halliday.

Founders Marc and Eva Besen purchased the property at TarraWarra in 1979, initially as a family retreat. Thanks to their love of the wines of Burgundy, and with encouragement from legendary Yarra Valley winemaker Dr John Middleton, they planted the first 6 hectares of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in 1983. Forty years on, the 400-hectare property now encompasses 26 hectares of vines, an extensive nature reserve, cattle grazing, a kitchen garden and our beautiful cellar door and restaurant. The vision to create and share a unique and beautiful place is driven by gratitude to this country that opened its arms and homes when Marc Besen arrived in 1947. Together we strive to fulfil his vision for TarraWarra, as custodians, we are defined by heritage and a deep sense of place.The TarraWarra vineyards are managed by Stuart Sissins, Chris Beard and their team. Stuart joined TarraWarra in 1997, coming from a background in farming. Their knowledge of every site on both properties is a constant in informing the decisions of the future. Chris commenced with TarraWarra in September 2023 when we took over the long-term lease of Swallowfield vineyard in Gembrook.The vineyard at TarraWarra is comprised of 26 hectares divided into 25 separate blocks, which are spread across the property’s 400 hectares. While TarraWarra Estate is best known for exceptional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, more recent additions have attracted much attention. These include J Block Shiraz and our newest varieties, Barbera and Nebbiolo. These single-vineyard wines express the unique terroir of distinct sites on the property, while the Estate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are blended from fruit grown across the property and represent the essence of the Estate. Under the watchful eye of winemaker Sarah Fagan, all of TarraWarra Estate’s wines are meticulously grown, handpicked, made and aged on the estate.TarraWarra Estate’s respect for sustainability and provenance make the property an internationally recognised place to visit in the Yarra Valley. Our subterranean cellar door provides an unforgettable tasting experience, while the deck shaded by native peppercorn trees, and with expansive views of our surrounds, is the perfect place to linger over a glass of wine. Our restaurant, with Head Chef Maxwell Parlas, have created a wonderful dining experience with a menu inspired by our kitchen garden and local suppliers.Whether you visit us here, surrounded by native bushland and waterways, or drink our labour of love at home, TarraWarra Estate always finds a way to leave an impression.

In 1894 Robert Strangways Wigley, a former state cricketer and lovable eccentric purchased 240 acres of land in McLaren Vale and established Wirra Wirra. In a burgeoning era for McLaren Vale as a wine region, Wirra Wirra was a major player with a reputation for quality. Wigley died in 1926 which led to the winery’s closure in 1936 and the beautiful ironstone cellars of Wirra Wirra were left to ruin.In 1969 another visionary saw two crumbling walls and a stubborn slate fermenter and had a dream to resurrect Wirra Wirra to its former glory. Richard Gregory “Greg” Trott enlisted his Cousin Roger and they purchased the site and spent the next three years counting pennies, hauling rocks and re-building the bones of Wirra Wirra. Greg’s love for building and dreaming continued until his passing in 2005, yet his legacy lives on at Wirra Wirra.Today, Wirra Wirra is known the world over for its exemplary Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvigon and Grenache from McLaren Vale and Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling from the neighbouring cool climate Adelaide Hills. Wirra Wirra’s home in McLaren Vale is surrounded by estate vineyards which are biodynamically farmed and includes a café and cellar door. In 2021 Wirra Wirra was recognised as a Global Winner of the Great Wine Capitals Tourism Award.

Munda Wines stands as an Indigenous-owned enterprise proudly holding verified Supply Nation status. Pauly Vandenbergh, the Director hailing from Ceduna, is a proud member of the Wirangu and Kokatha people, whose ancestral language defines "munda" as the sacred essence of land or country. The mission of Munda Wines is rooted in sharing the profound narrative of the land and the intricate processes that give life to the wines they proudly present. As Aboriginal people, we don't claim ownership of the Munda. We view Munda as our nurturing mother and provider, believing that by caring for munda, it reciprocates that care. Across the vast expanse of this Munda now known as Australia, there exist over 500 distinct countries and language groups, each contributing to the rich tapestry of our collective heritage.The Australian Wine Industry encompasses more than 2,100 wineries spread across 60 regions, each intricately weaving their narrative around shared attributes and unique selling points. These regions, known as Geographic Indicators (GI), were initially described during European colonization. It is crucial to recognize that beneath these GIs lies a foundation deeply rooted in the stories and heritage of First Nation's Peoples, with a history stretching back over 65,000 years.Presently, the industry crushes over 2 million tonnes, exports surpassing $2.6 billion, and caters to a well-educated domestic market that is rapidly evolving, driven by a growing appetite for authentic narratives. Despite employing over 150,000 individuals, Indigenous representation remains notably limited.Our vineyard sourcing reflects our philosophy of firstly no ownership of country but selecting some of the finest vineyard sites in the country that best reflect its unique munda (land/country/terroir).

Established in the 1960s by the Fratin family, Mount Langi Ghiran is a pioneer in cool-climate Shiraz, located in the remote and rugged Grampian region of Southeastern Australia. Originating from a pre-phylloxera Shiraz clone from the Northern Rhône, the vineyard's early roots were nurtured by viticulturist and winemaker Trevor Mast, who assumed winemaking duties in the 1980s. Today, the second generation of the Rathbone family continues Mount Langi Ghiran’s legacy as family-owned, crafting wines that exemplify the best of both place and vintage. Nestled in a north-south valley sheltered from the afternoon sun and cooled by icy winds from the Southern Ocean, the estate features towering granite cliffs and loamy red soils. The unique setting results in an extended ripening season, making it one of the last vineyards harvested in Australia. An optimal environment for cool climate Shiraz, Mount Langi Ghiran is celebrated for its diverse fruit flavors, aromas, elegance, vibrancy, and subtle notes of pepper. The winemaking legacy, initiated by Trevor Mast in the 1980s and 1990s, has evolved under the stewardship of Adam Louder, a Grampian local raised just three miles from the winery. Working closely with viticulturist Damien Sheehan, who has tended these vines for over 25 years, Adam aims to capture the best of both site and season each vintage, solidifying Mount Langi Ghiran's reputation as a benchmark for cool-climate Australian Shiraz. With 25 years of vineyard oversight, General Manager and Viticulturist Damien Sheehan brings a holistic approach to ensure each vine performs at its best. His deep love for the Mount Langi Ghiran property and dedication to its legacy inspire ongoing enhancements in quality, vine health, and sustainability. Aligned with Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, the winery passionately promotes biodiversity and strives to minimize its environmental impact. Today, Mount Langi Ghiran stands as a symbol of excellence, rooted in a rich history and a commitment to crafting wines that embody the essence of its remarkable terroir in this special corner of the world. 

At Trocchio Wines our philosophy is to make wines that are a true expression of where they come from: the soils, the growing conditions of a given season and the cultural impacts such as canopy management etc. This is the story that the fruit has to tell when it leaves the vineyard. It is then the winemaker’s job to handle the fruit as gently as possible as it is turned into wine. Doing this requires minimal intervention in the wine making process to avoid the true storey being lost in translation.
Gentle treatment of the wine includes techniques such as traditional open top fermentation and hand pressing the grapes. Gravity fed transfer of the wine is used rather than pumps. clarification of the wine is achieved by letting the wine settle naturally over time instead of using harsh filtration.
Only single vineyard wines are made and our growers subscribe to the importance of provenance and a sense of place.
Our ultimate goal is to produce wines from our own biodynamically grown fruit with a carbon neutral footprint and minimal use of additives. We are progressing slowly but surely towards this goal with every vintage. Follow our posts to track our progress.