Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All Vintages
Fowles Wine vineyards and winery are located in the high altitude, cool climate region of the Strathbogie Ranges in Victoria, Australia. Led by Matt Fowles, a former lawyer who swapped the vitriol for the vineyard, Fowles Wine craft some of Australia’s finest cool climate wines, winning many of the world’s most prestigious wine medals and trophies.
The Strathbogie Ranges is approximately 80 miles north east of Melbourne, and is a region of incredible natural beauty. Set in the foothills of Australia’s Great Dividing Range, the region is characterised by giant granite boulders that are 440 million years old. The family’s two vineyards - Upton Run and Billi’s - rest upon the free draining, granite soil from these decomposing boulders. The nutrient poor soil is ideal for viticulture; forcing the vines to put their energy into growing high-quality grapes. The vineyards are also perched on a rolling plateau at the top of the Ranges – giving each block unique aspects and micro climates which ensures each bottle of Fowles’ Wine is complex and distinctive. The high altitude of the area, with elevations up to 600 meters, granitic soils and cool climate all combine to produce elegant yet intense wines.
The Fowles’ rich family history of vignerons, hunters and farmers is embedded in the winemaking philosophy. These pillars guide the winemaking team in producing three distinct styles of wine including: wines that reflect Strathbogie provenance and capture the granite terroir of the region, texturally fine wines that pair with the flavors of wild produce, and intensely aromatic wines that are crafted to complement the soft textures of farm raised meats.
Theses wines represent the best of the next generation from Australia.
Nestled into the tip of its southeastern coastline, Victoria is Australia’s smallest mainland state, second most populous and third largest wine producer. Victoria includes the cool regions of Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Geelong, made famous mainly by impressive Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The more inland Heathcote and Bendigo lead the way for complex and textured, full-bodied reds. Rutherglen’s fortified wines compete among the best on the planet.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.