Dromana Estate Winery

Established in 1982, Dromana Estate was instrumental in forging the Mornington Peninsula’s reputation as one of Australia’s leading wine regions. Wines such as the Dromana Estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay were among the first to highlight the region's inherent suitability to cool climate viticulture. Now made by Chief Winemaker Duncan Buchanan, Dromana Estate's range of classic French varietals has continued to rise in status to become known as some of the country’s finest. -53.9 acres under vine (over 60,000 vines) -Estate grown varietals include: Arneis, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, -Sauvignon Blanc & Viognier -Trellising: Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP) -Entire vineyard irrigated with recycled water THE REGION Wine production on the Peninsula dates back to 1886, when Dromana wine won an honourable mention in the Intercontinental Exhibition. In 1891, fourteen Peninsula grape growers were mentioned in a Royal Commission into the Fruit and Vegetable Industry. In the 1920s, many of the Mornington Peninsula's vineyards were abandoned or uprooted. In the 1950s, Seppelt and Seabrook operated a vineyard in Dromana, but this was destroyed by fire in 1967. The renaissance of the region's wine industry began in 1972 when a number of aspiring vignerons independently recognised the potential of the unique maritime climate of the Mornington Peninsula for producing high quality cool climate varieties, similar to those of the great wine producing regions of France. The maritime influence provides relatively high summer humidity and rainfall. The coincidence of late ripening and a prolonged gentle autumn, result in fully ripe grapes with outstanding fruit flavours, high natural acidity and fine tannins. The main grape varieties grown in the region are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Shiraz. Some of the more innovative plantings include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Riesling and Arneis. Today, there are more than 200 vineyards, of which over half are less than 5 acres and two thirds less than 10 acres. The area continues to expand, the growth being driven primarily by the larger vineyards of more than 20 acres, which now represent 42% of the total area planted. The region also boasts 50 wineries with cellar doors. The Mornington Peninsula, an hours drive from Melbourne, with its long, slow ripening season is ideal for producing award wining cool climate wines in the classic Burgundian style, characterised by their finesse, complexity and intensity. Dromana Estate’s Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have been consistently rated as some of Australia’s finest examples of these classic Burgundian varieties.

 



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