Their sustainably-managed vineyards can be found across the best wine regions of Australia. Handpicked’s vineyards are chosen for their ability to express the character of the region and the personality of the site. Chief Winemaker Peter Dillon commits to letting the wines narrate a story of terroir. Expression of the character and personality of the site is front and centre of their winemaking philosophy, treating each parcel individually and teasing out the nuances that make each parcel unique. Conceived as a boutique winery with a focus on quality over quantity, the building was erected bordering our Capella estate’s lake, which is itself surrounded by 7 hectares of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir plantings. The winemaking facilities feature a variety of fermentation vessels, from open stainless steel vats to puncheons, along with ceramic, terracotta, or concrete eggs. The shed that holds their barrel cellar is nestled between the winery and the Capella vineyard, and not only houses all wines that come from its vines, but also from our vineyards in Tasmania or from other regions like Pyrenees, Heathcote, and the occasional outlier. They tailor their oak selection to region and site, and in some cases, even to the block where the fruit is sourced from. Generally, they have a preference for French oak and larger format puncheons to hold the wines, but not exclusively in view that they handle very small premium parcels that require smaller maturation vessels.
Handpicked Wines are committed to adapting their business operations to actively protect the natural ecosystem incorporating their vineyards and winery. They are a proud Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA) Certified member for all their vineyards and winery. “It’s hard to convey the satisfaction of walking into a vineyard where the soil and vines are humming with vitality. It’s a palpable feeling of joy and one we are becoming addicted to as we introduce more sustainable management practices and organics throughout our vineyards and wineries. You can taste it in our wines that increasingly sing of the places they were grown and made.” They strive to enhancing the quality and experience of what is in the glass, setting the bar high with the aim of providing pure hedonistic drinking pleasure, and one that tells a story…and they certainly achieve it!
