• Delivery
Wine clubWine clubWine clubWine club
  • Gift registry
  • Wishlist
  • FAQs
Gary and Nick Farr are father and son, they make wine together but aren't afraid to go head to head when their opinions differ. Nick grew up amongst some of the world's most sacred vineyards, he knows about the land and found a magnificent little site, barely east of Lake Colac. Irrewarra is the vigneron's shangri-la, prepared for viticulture by generations of grazing and eons of the sobering south sea breezes, which stimulate vines to yield meagre harvests of parched little grapes, sleek of tannin and rich in flavour. Vintaged in excruciatingly limited lots, there are fully two styles of Irrewarra on offer, a grapefruit and oyster shell Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir of pasture and of place, both finished.. It's irrewarra by farr»
Established 1976, Clairault are one of the pioneering estates on Margaret River. A tastefully limited range, from elite vineyards within the very dress circle of prestigious wineries at the heart of Margaret River's most illustrious precincts, Wilyabrup, Yallingup and Karridale. These are the dearest winegrowing terroirs in the Australian west, a place of auspicious soils and stimulating climes, the motherlode of environmentals which yield the most august vintages on the continent. The team at Clairault take a decidedly pastoral approach, biodynamically grown and environmentally sound, a sanctuary to native flora and fauna, their vineyards are managed to a completely natural agriculture. So exclusive.. The kindly cabernet of clairault»
Dr Frederick Kiel would take the trek by paddle steamer from Melbourne every summer during the late 1800s to spend his summers at Sorrento. His children established a grazing station nearby, on a property acquired from the Baillieu family along Portsea Ocean Beach, ultimately planted to vineyards in 2000. These are the most extreme western longitudes of Mornington, the undulating paddocks and sweeping views of tempestuous Bass Strait are a magical place for growing Burgundesque styles of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, well protected north facing parcels of propitious free draining limestone and calcareous sands. The windswept maritime vineyards of little Portsea Estate yield the quality of Mornington that.. Mornington's westernmost vineyards»

Dominique Portet Heathcote Shiraz CONFIRM VINTAGE

Shiraz Heathcote Victoria
Heathcote produces the most distinctive Shiraz wines, lined by noble tannins and carrying a serious weight of fruit. The rich terra rosa soils and favourably sunny climes make the region so exciting for protagonists of world class Shiraz, that it beckoned Dominique Portet to impart continental flair and skill into parcels of the choicest local fruit. A solidly structured wine, instantly recognizable as Heathcote, endowed with showroom tannins and an intensity of bramble flavours, luxuriously refined oak and minarets of peppery, aromatic spice.
Dominique Portet is the ninth generation of his family committed to winemaking, yet he is the first to establish a winery and label bearing the family name. His training began early, at one of the world's most illustrious estates. Portet's father was regisseur (vineyard and winery manager) of the great Chateau Lafite Rothschild. Shiraz is harvested as the fruit reaches the desired levels of physiological ripeness. Following selection and sorting, grapes are inoculated and macerated in fermenters, followed by transfer to a selection of the most luxurious Allier, Nevers and Tronçais French oak barrels for an extended maturation and term of bottle age underneath the Dominique Portet cellars.
Deep garnet colour. Nose of bright, ripe red and black fruit, liquorice and freshly milled spice over red and black cherry notes. Delightfully approachable in its youth, the distinctive plum and spicy pepper flavours are supported by smooth but firm tannins. New French oak enhances the complexity of flavour, Portet is a master in the fine art of handling oak without destroying the fruit. A match to duck, steak and the finest cheese.
Dominique Portet
1 - 9 of 9
1
1 - 9 of 9
1
Dominique Portet
Dominique Portet the man, the vision, the story

The Portet family lays claim to a singular accolade in the Australian wine Industry. Dominique is the ninth generation in his family to be committed to winemaking, yet he is the first to establish a winery and label bearing the family name. Since 1976 he has lived in Australia to create a family. "I'm at home here, I think my roots are here now." Although he now calls Australia home, Dominique Portet's bond with Bordeaux cannot be broken. His family has had links with the wine industry since 1780. "It is longer, but most of the records were lost during the revolution." The earliest document dated 1720, relates to the sale of Eaux de vie by Portet to the Martells.

Dominique Portet

The son of Andre Portet, regisseur (vineyard & winery manager) of Chateau Lafite-Rothschild in Pauillac, Dominique's training began at one of the world's most illustrious red wine properties. He qualified at the Montpellier University of Oenology and during a compulsory one year military service was the legion's wine purchasing adviser. With each French soldier receiving his daily wine ration, the army's morale was at stake. Further enhancing his qualifications, Dominique spent vintages in the Medoc, the Rhone Valley, Provence and with world Champagne giant Moet et Chandon.

Dominique was inclined to join his older brother Bernard in the Napa Valley of California where he would spend three vintages, and at the same time commencing a search to find vineyards to rival that of his native Bordeaux. His quest lead him to a newly planted vineyard owned by a distant millionaire. Portet was only going to stay for a year. Bernard Portet had selected the Taltarni site at Moonambel in Victoria’s Pyrenees region, and Clos Du Val owner John Goelet had invested the money, and they were seeking a winemaker. Dominique, who had worked three vintages with his brother, put his hand up.

Dominique had a strong vision for Taltarni that never faltered, creating powerful red wines intended for ageing. The wines were modelled on French techniques, lengthy fermentation times and the use of riper grapes. Along with the growth and development of the vineyards, the winery, and a market extending to thirty countries, he also developed the premium Tasmanian sparkling wine house of Clover Hill. Taltarni’s move into serious sparkling wines, establishing the Clover Hill vineyard in Tasmania was considered a bold move, but Portet knew it had the edge on quality. A pioneer of the renaissance of the Victorian and Tasmanian wine industries, he was steadfast in his vision to initiate highly regarded styles of wines.

Dominique Portet

After a break from winemaking, six months in Provence and two vintages away from the industry, 2000 would see the beginning of the Dominique Portet label. Looking around for suitable winery sites he decided on the Yarra Valley, attracted to its quality and style. "I found the fragrance, aromatics and structure - most of all the structure - reminds me of Bordeaux," he explains. Dominique leased space at Yering Station prior to setting up his own cellar door facility on the Maroondah Highway Coldstream.

"I found the fragrance, aromatics and structure - most of all the structure - reminds me of Bordeaux," he explains. Dominique leased space at Yering Station prior to setting up his own cellar door facility on the Maroondah Highway Coldstream.

The Dominique Portet label features an emblem in the form of an arabesque, by the only jeweller to be welcomed as an associate of the Academie des Beaux-Arts, Ilias Lalaounis. A sinuous unbroken line that suggests grace, strength, purity of line, and unbroken bonds. It symbolises the links and close bonds between generations, families and continents, within the context of an artistic drive and expression. These are the qualities that Dominique Portet strives to embody in his own wines.

The tradition associated with the Portet family continues today with wife Julia and sons Benjamin, Thomas and Henri, all having close association with the production of Portet Winemakers. A tenth generation is just upon the horizon for the Portet family, entrusting also an undoubtable commitment to high quality winemaking of exceptional standards.

Dominique Portet