Beechworth, Victoria

Very earthy and delicately savoury, cherries and kirsch, a hint of smoke and sap. Plush palate with dried orange, autumn leaves, sous bois and squashy tiny wild strawberries. Immense length and focus on the finish with the finest tannins. Drink 2021-2026

Heralded as “one of Beechworth’s rising stars,” husband and wife team Tessa and Jeremy Schmölzer Brown purchased a 20ha block of prime cleared land just south of Beechworth, complete with lake and abandoned goldmine back in 2013. Whilst Jeremy had previously worked as an architect, Tessa comes with a wealth of cellar experience, having clocked up years working as a winemaker at Kooyong estate, and closer by at Sorrenberg. They’ve so far planted 10,000 vines at the highest point of their property, with the plan to farm it organically. In Tessa’s words, “Winery operations are a shadow dance to the vineyard's growing season and although the work happens indoors, it can’t be separated from the vineyard.” Whilst waiting for these vines to mature, they’ve been producing wine from several vineyards close by in Beechworth, as well as the King Valley and the Alpine Valleys, all farmed with the same principles as they follow.