The Giaconda Vineyard and Winery was established by Rick Kinzbrunner just outside of Beechworth, Victoria. Originally a mechanical engineer with an 'interest' in wine, Kinzbrunner studied at the University of California at Davis before working at a handful of local wineries including Stag's Leap, Simi and Matanzas Creek as well as the famed Chateau Petrus, on Bordeaux's Right Bank. In 1982 after returning to Australia, Kinzbrunner purchased land and planted the classic varieties of Chardonnay, Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc, Merlot and Pinot Noir. Situated in the foothills of the Victorian Alps, warm days and cool nights provide ideal ripening conditions for the grapes while the moderately fertile soil provides just enough support to allow the varietal character to shine through. The first wines produced under the Giaconda label were released in 1987.Considered one of AustraliaÕs best winemakers, Kinzbrunner was awarded the Australian Winemaker of the Year by Gourmet Traveller Wine in 2003 as well as one of Decanter MagazineÕs top ten white winemakers in the world in 2006.
