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Meet three of Australia’s best value wineries

By Halliday Promotion

25 Sep, 2019

James Halliday’s 10 Best Value Wineries are those that quietly overachieve, producing an exceptional product. We catch up with three of these producers to find out more about their approach to creating high-quality wines.

  • Singlefile Wines

  • Patrick Corbett, co-founder

    singlefilewines.com

    Singlefile Wines is an expression of the unique and diverse Great Southern wine region. Co-founder Patrick Corbett believes the key to their high-quality and value-rich product comes down to their focus on seeking out the ideal varietal and site pairings for quality parcels of fruit. Being the largest wine area in Australia by landmass, the Great Southern region is home to many of the classic varieties. Singlefile handpicks premium, cool-climate sites throughout its subregions to produce the best possible wines. Perhaps this diversity, care and attention to detail is the reason 11 of 13 Singlefile Wines in this year’s Halliday Wine Companion received the value rosette.

    Paul Corbett Visit Denmark: Named after the resident geese of the chardonnay vineyard that began the Singlefile journey, the Denmark tasting room is the perfect place to sample the diverse wines on offer. Take your time with the impressive line-up and enjoy a complimentary tasting, private tasting tour, or settle in with a wine and chocolate flight.

  • Domaine Naturaliste

  • Bruce Dukes, agronomist and winemaker 

    domainenaturaliste.com.au

    Our Best Value Winery of the Year, Margaret River's Domaine Naturaliste is a testament to the success of a holistic approach to agriculture. Winemaker Bruce Dukes believes that winemaking begins with an understanding of your surrounding ecosystems. His background in agronomy has led to a passion for healthy soils and, in turn, healthy vines. This respect for the natural environment is perhaps what sets Domaine Naturaliste apart, with Bruce aiming to translate the natural composition of the fruit and work with its inherent strengths. These fragrant and textured wines reflect the coastal food, lifestyle and climate of the Margaret River region.

    Bruce Dukes Take a seat: Immerse yourself in the Domaine Naturaliste experience with a sit-down tasting, presented on local Marri wood tables. The tasting area is nestled among the vineyards – Bruce suggests you “chat to the vines which yielded [the] wines” as you contemplate life and how to live it.

  • Lake Breeze

  • Greg Follett, winemaker 

    lakebreeze.com.au

    Winemaker Greg Follett believes attention to detail is key to the success of Lake Breeze. The Follett family has been making wine in South Australia’s Langhorne Creek since 1987. “Achieving great value comes from owning our own vineyard and winery,” Greg says. The ability to have such a consistent hands-on approach and philosophy has always been a strength of the winery, encouraging a long-term customer base. Lake Breeze wines have a distinct regionality, speaking of the floodplain soil and unique maritime climate of Langhorne Creek. The cabernet vines of 50-plus years of age have produced some exceptional red wines, receiving many awards. 

    Luke Follett Have a long lunch: Besides their excellent red wines, the hero of Lake Breeze is their cellar door. A rustic limestone shed built in the early 1930s makes for the perfect place to enjoy a tasting while taking advantage of the stunning vineyard view. Stay for a long lunch of local produce and seasonal dishes paired with award-winning wines.

    *This article was produced by Halliday Wine Companion in partnership with the featured wineries.