The De Bortoli family story begins 90 years ago. It began with Vittorio and Giuseppina De Bortoli, two immigrants who made a name for themselves in their adopted country through hard work, innovation, and the support of family and friends. From humble beginnings making small quantities of dry table wine, primarily for fellow European immigrants, De Bortoli Wines expanded under the leadership of Vittorio and Giuseppina's energetic son, Deen, and his wife, Emeri. Their four children—Darren, Leanne, Kevin, and Victor—joined the family business and developed De Bortoli's reputation for premium wine, first through the iconic dessert wine Noble One and then through the success of the cool-climate wines produced on the family's Yarra Valley Estate. Always with the same goal in mind and following the official motto of De Bortoli Wine, Semper ad Majora ("always striving for better") and the unofficial (good food, good wine and good friends) as true and central as ever.
The grapes come from various vineyards in Heathcote. The old red Cambrian soils of Northern Heathcote are ideal for dark-fruited, full-bodied red Shiraz. The vineyards are carefully selected for a balance between fruit weight and ripeness. The grapes are rigorously selected to produce the perfect quality wine. The juice ferments for 6 to 8 days at a controlled temperature of 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. Finally, the wine matures for 8 months in oak barrels.
The Woodfired Heathcote Shiraz is a deep red in the glass with a purple sparkle. It immediately reveals strong aromas of dark fruit, fennel, olive herbs, and dark chocolate. The wine is soft, rich, and plump with balanced tannins.
