It has been truly refreshing—really, there’s no refreshment quite like it—reminding ourselves, and everyone else, how scintillatingly original these wines remain. It was a pleasure to welcome Alexandre Garandel to Australia at the end of July to mark 20 years since the inaugural 700-series release. The first wine, released in 2005 with 2000 as its base vintage, did more than rewrite the rulebook on the non-vintage concept; it turned Champagne on its head. Suddenly, the big houses weren’t on top. Small was beautiful. Site, not…

It's Never too Slate for Great Riesling   At Dr. Loosen, history runs deep, but the future is just as thrilling. For over two centuries, this storied Mosel estate has been rooted in some of Germany’s most breathtakingly steep and slate-rich vineyards. Under the vision of Ernst Loosen, the estate has become a beacon for Riesling lovers worldwide, celebrated not only for its iconic fruity styles, but increasingly for its world-class dry wines. The pinnacle of that dry wine journey is found in the Grosses Gewächs (GG)…

Clare Valley legends, the Barry family, of Jim Barry Wines & clos Clare fame, are a genuine Tour de Force. The multi-generational family business (Jim Barry wines) has seen the family not only be standard- bearers of all things Clare within Australia, but as custodians of some of the regions’ most brilliant vineyard sites, they have taken the wines of the Clare to the world and helped establish the region as one of the most exciting sources of site-specific wines coming out of Australia today.…

The annals of time are filled with great collabs & partnerships. Laurel & Hardy. Cagney & Lacey. Fripp & Eno. Duos that just work. Duos that work in symbiosis with each other. Creative forces that are great in their own right, but that as a duo offer something different; something that allows another side of their personality to shine. The remarkable & enduring friendship between Mosel superstar Ernst Loosen of Dr. Loosen fame and Clare Valley legends the Barry family goes back some 30 years…

Dalwhinnie is a site that just makes sense.  The majesty of the views, the truly mesmerising nature of the steep amphitheatre, the ancient mineral & rock-laden soils; it just seems like a place that should make amazing wine…and yes, yes it does just this.  For us to be able to continue this winemaking legacy at what I see as a peerless Victorian Shiraz site is a great honour and an even bigger thrill. Dalwhinnie’s Eagle Shiraz was one of the first cult wines I ever…

It's a Family Affair!  After 26 years, CellarHand is still a family-run business.  The ‘bosses’ (as much as they don’t like to be called that) are still that same husband and wife dynamic-duo that decided to “give it a crack” in 1999, starting up operations from their house, their bedroom in fact. And, after 26 years, CellarHand is still a business that prides itself on representing and celebrating some of the greatest winegrowing family businesses from both here in Australia and across the globe. But this one,…

What a lot of people don’t realise about the Peninsula is that it’s very sub-regional. The difference between the Tuerong Chardonnay and the Main Ridge – it could be different regions. It’s completely different aspects, different bodies of water that have a huge influence on it as well. - Will Byron, Onannon Will Byron has spent years exploring the nooks and crannies of the Mornington Peninsula, unearthing some of its most exciting vineyard sites along the way. After a long & successful stint as winemaker at Stonier,…

There’s something special about a change in season, particularly when it’s timed with welcoming a wine that is grown at a place that is truly one with its surroundings and works is complete symbiosis with the environment that has brought it to life. The 2022 Burn Cottage Pinot Noir, a wine that perfectly captures the character of this exceptional Central Otago vineyard, is one such wine. The 2022 growing season was beautifully settled, with minimal frost pressure and ideal ripening conditions, allowing the fruit to develop purity, balance and finesse. Winemaker Claire Mulholland describes…

"This is the best vintage yet!" - Julian Langworthy   Julian Langworthy is quite the wordsmith and many of his, let’s say, taglines, are well known (and loved) to those who have come along for the journey throughout his illustrious winemaking career.  And, as much as they’re often received with a chuckle, these turns of phrase are a big contributor to his reputation as one of the most admired and highly-regarded winemakers in this country.  Not only is he one of Australia’s most gifted talents, his ability to…

The Yeringberg release each year is always one of the most exciting days on the CellarHand calendar, and never more so than with this stunning bracket from the brilliant, if not tiny, 2022 vintage.  Over the years we’ve seen these wines emerge with a continued sense of grace and a great sense of terroir and have clearly become one of our national vinous treasures. A multi-generational family, Sandra, David and their team are leading this estate into the next half of the decade with renewed focus and vision. These wines represent the…

A Quick Swirl from the past 6 months... As we gear up for what is going to be an epic 2025, we’ve been reflecting on all that's been going on at CellarHand over the last few months. To say it's been busy is an understatement!  We’ve welcomed Corsican legends Domaine Vico and Clos Venturi to the family, and their wines have stopped those who have been lucky enough to try  them already in their tracks, and are a must for anyone with a passing interest in intriguing, thought provoking, and ultimately delicious wines.…

As we head into the festive season and the smell of barbecues and pavlova fills the air, we asked our team what they'll be bringing to their Christmas tables this year. Along with their picks, they've shared a little snippet of how they'll be celebrating - whether they're soaking up the sun on a holiday, or celebrating at home. Being part of the CellarHand family means we're spoilt for choice - and it's no surprise that our lineup spans the breadth of our incredible portfolio. We're ready to pop some corks,…

Introducing Domaine Vico & Clos Venturi to the CellarHand Portfolio At CellarHand, bringing new producers into the portfolio is always a thrilling milestone and meeting Jean-Marc and Manu Venturi last year was just about the highlight of our year. It's a privilege to meet winemakers with such deep-rooted passion for their craft, and tell the story of a region that is as fierce and beautiful as the wine themselves.  Founded by Jean-Marc Venturi in the 1980s, the original vineyards were planted in 1901 by Jean Vico, who wanted to…

"If you go down in the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise” or so the song about a mass gathering of teddy bears goes; but the truth is, there are certainly no surprises in the Woods here! 2024 marks our 3rd year of celebrating the remarkable Reserve releases from the team at Deep Woods Estate and there is one thing for certain, these wines, year in, year out, deliver the goods.  The same can be said for the entire Deep Woods Estate line-up…

The Holyman release marks an especially thrilling time of the year, when winter coats are stowed away, and the sweet smell of spring fills the air. Birds are chirping, and a gentle gurgling sound is heard from afar, as Joe Holyman emerges from his Tamar Valley shed, ready to introduce the fruits of his labour. 2023 presented its fair share of challenges, but it ultimately shaped up to be a remarkable vintage. The warmer weather resulted in wines that are approachable yet layered with complexity…