Sam grew up amongst the vines in Griffith but he eventually became aware of the quality of King Valley fruit as growers would drop by to sell their harvests. Sam became highly enthused by tales the growers would tell him of the natural beauty of King Valley and the excellent conditions for growing world class fruit. Griffith and King Valley share a vibrant culture of Italian migrant agriculture, in 1991 Sama made the journey and fell in love with the picturesque beauty of Victoria's high country. Sam loved the fresh style and complex structure of King Valley wines. He acquired a 70 hectare property in 1997 on the corner of Snow and Whitfield Roads. He made his King Valley operations complete when he established a winery and cellar door in the following year.
The Sam Miranda vineyard and wineworks stand tall in the heart of the Milawa food and wine gourmet region, along the scenic roadway to the ski fields of Falls Creek and Mt. Hotham. Redesigned and redeveloped by renowned Sydney architect Alex Popov in 2007, the new Miranda cellar door is modern but simplistic, offering a relaxed atmosphere to compliment Sam’s wines and the beautiful surroundings. A delicious menu of Mediterranean inspired cuisine, using local and seasonal produce, delights local foodies and tourists alike.
In 2004 Sam acquired a further 120 hectares in the Myrrhee district. Not only is this a choice viticultural site with ideal winegrowing conditions, it also offers magnificent views over the surrounding mountains, a nice way to work while Sam sits on his tractor some 400 metres above sea level.
To Sam the future is written in hard work and strong development, in being able to plant and grow, source and make wines which best reflect the true and honest style of King Valley. He feels a strong affinity to the region, a unique convergence of soils and climes which highly favour the planting and harvest of classic Italian wine grape varietals, Sangiovese and Nebbiolo, Pinot Grigio and Arneis.
Miranda's Oxley vineyard is fortuitously planted to the King Valley creek bed which is fed by melting winter snows which cover the high country from June to September. The site is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, it offers rich soils and a cool climate allowing for long ripening periods, yielding lovely medium bodied wines which articulate the freshness and elegance for which King Valley is renowned.
Miranda's spectacular Myrrhee vineyard is planted to an altitude of 350 metres above sea level, the perfect site to experiment with an array of rare and unique grape varietals. It is here at the foothills of the beautiful Victorian Alps, that the perfect growing conditions are ideal for Prosecco wines, Merlot and Traminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Tannat. In addition to his harvests of estate grown fruit, Sam Miranda makes a range of exclusively single vineyards wines, crafted from choice parcels planted to exceptional, higher altitude sites throughout the King Valley. Miranda's Mountain range are proven cool climate performers. The objective is to make wines which exhibit purity of flavour while reflecting the terroir of beautiful King Valley. Miranda's signature range are the pick of crop, sourced from vineyards in the upper King Valley. These wines are made to exhibit a refined style and display distinct varietal eloquence. They are a result of matching specific varietals to the perfect soil and climate, vineyard management and careful winemaking.
It’s been a long time since Francesco Miranda took up viticulture in 1939. It was his vision and hard work that set the scene for Sam Miranda's King Valley vineyards. While Miranda's outstanding range of new world styles continue to impress and to win over a new generation of Australian wine enthusiasts, the traditions of good old fashioned old world quality and care in the vineyard and winery endure.
