The Vineyard

Beautifully situated on sunny north-west slopes of the Diamond Valley - a sub-region of the Yarra Valley highly regarded for the quality of its wines - the 10 acre vineyard, established in 1983, has gained a strong reputation for producing superior fruit. Distinctive wines of true varietal character and resounding fruit quality are produced on the estate from the classic Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet varieties.

The soil type is a low fertile clayey grey loam filled with degrading yellow-brown mudstone. The annual rainfall is a modest 500mm on average. These two factors contribute to the vineyard being naturally low yielding. However, these two things plus the reflective radiation of the many stones littered throughout the vineyard and the sun exposure, due to its favourable aspect, contribute to consistent ripening of fruit and high sugar levels.

Winemaking Philosophy

Lovegrove is independently owned and makes its own wine using time honoured techniques, passion and intuition with minimal chemical inputs and intervention. Much of the emphasis is on the vineyard and allowing the fruit to exhibit the inherent qualities of the soil and the site. In this way most of the production methods utilized to make the vast quantities of commercial beverage wine are deliberately avoided to fashion a product which is more in keeping with the way wine making first began. The wine is a farmhouse product intrinsically belonging to the vineyard.

The Owners

Lovegrove is owned by Stephen Bennett and Louise Heathcote, two people that have devoted most of their lives to wine and food and art. There won't be too many weekends when you don't find Stephen and Louise sharing their passion and knowledge with the many interested cellar door visitors.

Product Distribution

A frequently asked question. Most of our wine is purchased at the cellar door and by mail order, however a significant percentage is sold to local eateries and independently owned wine outlets. A smaller percentage is exported to the UK and Turtle Island Resort, Fiji.

For trade enquiries contact our agent, Rob Davey of Davey Wine Merchants on 0418142011 or email rob@daveywm.com.