The story of our wine begins on the other side of the world in the town of Valdobbiadene in north eastern Italy (pictured above). A traditional high-walled Italian town of stone houses and citadels surrounded by mountains, Valdobbiadene is a region renowned for wine-making. Owing to its generous soil and mild climate, vines hundreds of years old blanket the landscape.
It is here that Ottorino Dal Zotto was born and raised on his family’s vineyard. The love of viticulture, appreciation of fine wine and dedication to the highest standards was instilled from an early age, his education steeped in the practices of traditional Italian winemaking. And so began Otto’s lifetime passion.
With little else but a dream, determination and a sense of adventure, Otto packed his bags in search of the opportunities awaiting him in Australia. It was 1967 and like many Italian migrants before him, Otto migrated to Victoria’s KingValley in the foothills of the Victorian Alps in north-east Victoria. It was a taste of home; a stunning valley of rolling hills, fertile land, mild climate and an Italian agricultural heritage.
Otto
and his wife Elena used their agricultural experience
to grow tobacco as share farmers until shrinking
demand for tobacco and the introduction of the Tobacco
Stabilisation Scheme bought about the decline of the
local industry. With the purchase of their first
property in Cheshunt 1987 came the exciting
opportunity for Otto to return to his heritage. The
couple planted Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet
Sauvignon vines on their new property and Dal Zotto
Estate Wines was born.
The winery first began as a contract supplier of premium quality grapes to larger wineries. The ideal conditions the winery enjoyed in the King Valley and Otto’s viticultural background meant our grapes were in high demand.
At the same time the King Valley, once the heartland of tobacco production in Australia, was emerging as a renowned vine growing region. With time, Otto put his own winemaking skills to work using the best of the traditional Italian methods alongside some of the modern techniques Australia had to offer. Dal Zotto’s highly regarded Shiraz, Cabernet Merlot and Riesling were the impressive results.
With the expansion of the winery in 1994 came the opportunity for Otto to take the path less travelled and he decided to introduce Italian varietals into the vineyard – Barbera, Sangiovese, Pinot Grigio, Prosecco, Arneis. All of which are perfectly suited to the winery’s terroir.
Dal Zotto Estates had become pioneers of Italian varieties in Australia.The unique characteristics of Sangiovese, Barbera and Arneis are appealing to more and more wine consumers. The release of Prosecco (a dry, sparkling wine) for the first time in Australia is typical of Dal Zotto Estates commitment to both innovation and to honouring our heritage.
With an array of awards and accolades, the appreciation of winelovers both in Australia and overseas and the good fortune to be living our dream, the Dal Zotto family look set to move forward with great enthusiasm into a promising future.
A second generation of Dal Zotto’s have now dedicated themselves to this vision. Eldest son Michael has added a youthful element to the winemaking process by joining Otto as winemaker. Christian takes care of sales and marketing, making sure as many people as possible experience the fruits of the family’s labours.
Not to be outdone, matriarch Elena Dal Zotto excels in whatever she puts her hand to – her gardens are stunning, her hospitality is legendary, and her sales record in the cellar door is the envy of the rest of the family!
Together we’re working to grow the best grapes and produce the most outstanding wines we can. And at the end of each day, sit down together to share a bottle of wine that we can all be proud of.