Charles Melton talks Barossa Grenache
You could call Barossa winemaking legend Charlie Melton the original champion for Australian Grenache. Charlie has been nurturing old Grenache vines since the early 80s, coaxing exceptional wines from this oft underrated variety. We caught up with Charlie and chatted with him about what makes Barossa Grenache so special and unique, discussing whether he thinks there is a big future for the variety in the region. You can read more about Charlie and his story on the Wine Australia Blog:
Meet the Winemaker (Episode 86): Charlie Melton, Charles Melton Wines by Debra Meiburg
Having started in the winemaking business back in 1984, today Charlie Melton owns about 50 acres of Barossa vineyard and is mostly known for his fine red table wines, under the label Charles Melton wines. His wines range from a light red, 'The Rose of Virginia', to Australia's premier Rhone-style red, 'Nine Popes'; as well as small quantities of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sparkling Shiraz. Charlie is also the only Australian producer of a vin-santo styled dessert wine, Sotto di Ferro.
Charlie, who has over 35 years winemaking experience in the Barossa, counts the community, history and the vineyards of the Barossa as the secret to his success. Charlie points out that wines from the Barossa are typical rich without being high in alcohol. He goes on to explain that they are able to take the traditional richness of the vines and tone them down to make the finer more elegant wines, which they have gained recognition for, both nationally and internationally.
The history and evolution of Shiraz in the Barossa
With a rich vine and wine history dating back to 1842, the Barossa is one of the most historic wine producing regions in Australia. Today, there's a group of new and exciting winemakers who are helping to change the face of wine in the Barossa. We’ve got a bedrock of winemaking tradition and old vines blended with a younger generation who are challenging global perceptions of Australian wine. Charlie Melton, Charles Melton Wines.
Australian Winemakers: Charles Cimicky, Cimicky Wines
Barossa Valley winemaker Charles Cimicky interviewed by Christopher Barnes of Grape Collective
TOP 25 TANUNDA (SA) Attractions (Things to Do & See)
Best places to visit in Tanunda, South Australia, Australia. Tanunda is a town located in Barossa Valley region, about 70 km from Adelaide. Barossa Valley is wine-producing region, Tanunda as a town in that region also be the best places for enjoy wine tasting.
Things to do in Tanunda of course is to enjoy the wine tasting and beautiful views of vineyards. There is must visit wineries and vineyards in Tanunda such as Rockford Winery, Chateau Tanunda, Langmeil Winery, Peter Lehmann Wines, Pindarie Winery, Charles Melton Wines, David Franz Wines, Grant Burge Winery and St Hallett Winery.
Other vineyards and wineries in Tanunda as tourist attractions is Bethany Wines, Basedow Wines, Rusden Wines, Turkey Flat Vineyards, Chateau Dorrien Winery, Rolf Binder, Lindsay Wine Estate, Soul Growers, Michael Hall Wines, Kabminye Winery, Rehn Bier, etc.
Don't forget to enjoy walking in town walk Tanunda and Bethany Historical Walk, visiting Kaiserstuhl Conservation Park and get more information about best places to visit in Barossa Valley Regions in Barossa Visitor Centre & Tanunda Library.
Enjoy your wines tasting experience in Tanunda, visit others wine city in South Australia such as McLaren Vale. Check our other videos in our channel Explore Australia.
Charles Melton, Barossa
Sharing a glass of sparkling Rose of Virginia and a look at where his famous Nine Popes grew from on the vineyard.
Botobolar Wines
Australia's oldest certified organic vineyard. Established in 1971. It has a 22-hectare vineyard in Mudgee,New South Wales in Australia. It is a Solar powered winery to lower carbon footprint. Wines are low preservative or preservative free. To try out the range visit
Let's Taste - Charles Melton Nine Popes 2005 with The Intrepid Wino
As I was tasting my other bottle of Charles Melton Nine Popes 2005 from my cellar, I thought I would also show you how to open a bottle of wine sealed under a screwcap.
Adelaide's Australian wine: The Barossa ????
Driving through Australia's famous wine growing region, we visit some of the characters and attractions to be found between the vines. Visiting the cellar doors of Charles Melton and Maxwell's Wines, we discover there's more to the Barossa than wine.
At Maggy Beer's Pheasant Farm we talk to daughter Saskia, who is following in her mother's footsteps. Plus, at the Seppletsfield Centenary Cellar we try ruby red port as old as Joseph Stalin.
Cheers!
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Road to Vino Ep 26 - The Teusner Pig
On our last day in the Barossa, we were invited round to Teusner for a true Barossan experience - pig on the spit - with more good booze than should ever be in one place, and a great bunch of people who hold the future of the region in their hands.
16th Grand Wine Experience - Noble Grape
Barossa Vintage Festival Parade Charles Melton Float
Charles Melton float celebrating his iconic Nine Popes wine, just brilliant.
Road to Vino Ep 24 - Charlie Melton's Gypsy
On a tip-off from the Lehmanns, Andre and Justin check out the wonder of nature in the Barossa that is the Whispering Wall, before heading over for lunch with Charlie Melton and his famous Nine Popes GSM. What's that about a Gyspy...?
Road to Vino Ep 26 - The Teusner Pig
On our last day in the Barossa, we were invited round to Teusner for a true Barossan experience - pig on the spit - with more good booze than should ever be in one place, and a great bunch of people who hold the future of the region in their hands.
Hentley Farm interview in Shanghai with Sarah Zhang
An interview between Sarah Zhang in Shanghai and Keith Hentschke, founder and owner of Hentley Farm.
Road to Vino Ep 25 - High Eden
The Qwoff Boys take the long drive through the land of a thousand palm trees to a place in history - Seppeltsfield, where Warren Randall takes them through the Centennial Cellar, for a a spiritual tasting experience, including a 1898 port.
Barossa Valley Accommodation Barossa House
Barossa House is one of the few hosted accommodation B&B's, in the heart of the Barossa Valley close to the best wineries and restaurants in the area. Surrounded by vineyards and wineries, Barossa House is perfectly located being only minutes from the antique shops, restaurants, museums and historic Lutheran churches of Tanunda, Angaston and Nuriootpa.
Your hosts, Judi and Lee Prettijohn, offer a unique experience in the Barossa with friendly, personal service, charming country accommodation and the convenience of modern amenities. They can also offer your own personalised tour of the Barossa.In a privately chauffeured car, you'll be driven to some of the Barossa's most outstanding wineries learn some of their history and taste some of their best wines and enjoy a beautiful lunch.
Wine Mothership Rockford's Basket Press Shiraz 2005
Ian and Peter swing back down to Australia, not for a drop of the amber nectar, but for some fine Barossa shiraz.