Established in 1997 the D'Anna family decided to plant grapes on the property that has been in their family since 1960. Located between Gembrook road and adjacent Hoddles Creek in the Upper Yarra (a higher, cooler and more marginal climate than the lower Yarra) both vineyards are on steeply sloping blocks needing hand-pruning and harvesting. They're cropped at less than 2.5 tonnes per acre and being a marginal climate the vines requires extensive canopy management, this is achieved using the 'Scott-Henry trellis system' to promote fruit exposure.
Viticulturist and winemaker Franco D'Anna cut his teeth at Coldstream Hills later consulting with Mario Marson (ex-winemaker for Mount Mary and Jasper Hill) where he took some valuable lessons. His philosophy on winemaking practises tend to be minimal - their wines all see a percentage of oak including the Sauvignon Blanc albeit old French.
Hoddles Creek wines are single vineyard estate grown.
