So you’ve been to the Yarra Valley and you’ve likely been stuck behind bus loads of tourists visiting Chandon, Mandala, De Bortoli, and Rochford…the list goes on.

Maybe you’ve occasionally ventured a little further off the beaten track to the Mornington Peninsula, Macedon, Gippsland, Heathcote, Harcourt, Grampians, Bellarine, Balnarring or even far north Beechworth. Maybe you’ve even explored niche micro climates within these regions like Red Hill or Gruyere?

We’re a firm believer that any good wine aficionado will be constantly searching for those little gems years before they get reviewed by Halliday and become famous. These wines might not have the brand names and marketing machines behind them that the large labels do, but that doesn’t mean the quality of the wine is compromised. In fact, most of the time it’s far superior.

Here’s a list of 7 Victorian producers that you should know about.

Note: We have personally tried wines from all these producers and were impressed enough to stock them. This typically involves visiting their vineyards, inspecting the vines, talking to the chief wine maker about production techniques and tasting their whole range. It’s a tough job but someone has to do it.

Selections from all of these brands can be purchased on the Simply Wines website by the half or full dozen only.

1. Bass Phillip (Gippsland)
   Some of the best Pinot Noir is made at this winery in Leongatha, Gippsland.
   The wine is carefully crafted and based on the forces of nature driven by the moon, the planets and the earth. The Premium Pinot Noir is a must try for any wine enthusiast.
   View the best wines from Bass Phillip here
   
2. Savaterre (Beechworth)
   Founded in 1996 By Keppell Smith owner and winemaker.
   Keppell, or as we like to call him Kepp, is a warm, down to earth straight shooter with an infectious laugh and gravelly voice. His wines can be found high up in the sky aboard Emirates first class on the pouring list. Not to mention some of the finest restaurants in Australia, including Attica, Circa and Vue de Monde. The Pinot Noir is a red Burgundy killer and is a must try.
   View the best wines from Savaterre here
   
3. Yarra Yering (Yarra Valley)
   Where do we start with Yarra Yering? Sarah Crowe the winemaker was awarded winemaker of the year by James Halliday in 2016/17. The wines produced at this vineyard are some of the best in Australia, the Dry Red Wine No. 1, Agincourt and the cult Shiraz/Pinot which is a blend of 50% Shiraz and 50% Pinot Noir.
   
   
4. Avani Syrah (Red Hill South)
   Shashi and Devendra are two of the most accommodating people we’ve ever met.We had an amazing experience tasting their magnificent wines at the vineyard in Red Hill South. All wines produced are organic, with no chemicals, pesticides or sulphur used. A must try is the Pinot Gris that has been left on skins, this wine is like a guava juice!
   
5. Piano Piano Wines (Beechworth)
   As traditional vignerons, Marc Scalzo and Lisa Hernan have set about planting Chardonnay and Shiraz vines on their picturesque Beechworth property. They are located on the highly sort after ‘golden mile’ amongst some of the region’s most notable wine producers. They focus on making premium, estate grown single vineyard wines. The wines produced by Marc and Lisa are true expressions of the Beechworth Terroir, the Chardonnay is clean, crisp and perfect with a piece of crispy skinned salmon.
   View the best wines from Piano Piano Wines here
   
6. Timo Mayer (Yarra Valley)
   As Timo says “Bring back the funk.”
   That’s exactly what he’s done, his two Pinot Noir’s are among our favourite wines at the moment.The Close Planted 2016 and Dr. Mayer 2016 Pinot Noir’s are sensational. We love these wines like Kanye loves Kanye.
   
7. Serrat (Yarra Valley)
   After winning wine of the year in 2016 from James Halliday the next day Tom and Nadege Carson “were greeted by 4000 emails, a few hundred faxes, and even random deposits of money into their bank accounts.”
   200 dozen of the Shiraz/Viognier 2014 was produced, it all sold out by 8am the day Tom and Nadege were greeted by all those enquiries.
   
   If you can find this wine you need to buy it, if you find more than you can buy can you please ring us and we will buy it!