Cellarhand Dott.

About Dott.

Dott. is handmade by Chalmers from estate-grown fruit. Inspired by the late Dr. Rod Bonfiglioli a passionate, eccentric scientist whose dogged determination and visionary foresight brought so much colour, interest and integrity to Australian wine. He sought out these rare grapes for our collection, seeing their promise long before we did, and for that we are grateful. The choice of grape varieties in the Dott. range challenges the concept of homoclimes as the most beneficial place to establish grape varieties in new locations. Through years of open-minded experimentation, the Chalmers family have discovered that sometimes translating a grapevine to a new environment can give surprising and beautiful results, often producing a wine which is truly distinct from its ancestors in Europe yet still achieving quality and authenticity. A new expression, a truly Australian wine which speaks of its own place and time. The Dott. range encapsulates this idea, taking grape varieties that originate in the humid and oceanic northeast of Italy and growing them in the inland dry climate and red, mineral rich soils of northern Heathcote. Dr. Rod would have said if you do the research diligently and analyse the results objectively you can ignore the rule book and forge new ground.

About Kim and Tennille Chalmers

Kim studied at the University of Adelaide before joining the family business. She has been director at Chalmers Wines since 2005, managing operations from the vine to the wine list. In 2011 she was awarded an AgriFoods Skills Australia Overseas Fellowship, for which she wrote a paper entitled “Hot climate wine growing, making and marketing in Southern Italy and its application in Australia”. Kim's husband, winemaker Bart van Olphen completed the family team in 2011, a year after sister Tennille joined the business full time following a 10-year career in hospitality, most recently as a sommelier. The Chalmers sisters have been pivotal in turning the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show into a major event on the wine awards calendar. In 2015 they also spearheaded 21st Century Vino, an initiative to increase awareness and expertise in Italian vine varieties grown in Australia.

Current Range

2022 Dott. Nebbiolo

Dott.

2023 Dott. Prosecco

Dott.

2021 Dott. Ribolla Gialla

Dott.

2020 Dott. Ribolla Gialla

Dott.

2022 Dott. Malvasia Istriana

Dott.

2018 Dott. Malvasia Istriana

Dott.

2021 Dott. Pavana

Dott.

2018 Dott. Pavana

Dott.

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