PROJECT Forty Nine

Rocco Esposito has had a long and distinguished career as a sommelier and wine director, formerly at Vue de Monde. He and wife Lisa Pidutti moved to Beechworth with the intention of growing a vineyard using biodynamic principles from the word go, with a total property size of just under 25ha. In the meantime, until the vines are in production, he is purchasing shiraz from the Warner Vineyard (opposite their property) and making it in the Yarra Valley with Gary Mills of Jamsheed. His daytime job is hospitality manager at All Saints Estate in Rutherglen, and he also provides consultancy services. -JAMES HALLIDAY