Caledonia Australis

Caledonia Australis was established in 1995 at Leongatha, Gippsland in Victoria’s East. Caledonia Australis has a vision to produce high quality fruit and make high quality wines from estate grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines, from carefully selected vineyard sites around the Leongatha area of Gippsland.

The decision to choose Leongatha vineyard sites was based on the experience and background of the current managing director, who has been involved in wine for over 35 years and has assisted the owner of a vineyard near Leongatha since the mid 1980s. With this background and knowledge, a vision to produce high quality wine was further crystalised by leading Australian wine writers and international sommeliers who praised the Pinot Noirs from the area.

Caledonia Australis commenced with a partnership of two with a shared vision; a business plan was developed and a further eight partners were encouraged to join. Three carefully chosen vineyard sites were purchased in 1995. The original idea to grow Pinot was expanded to include Chardonnay because of the high quality of other chardonnays made in the area.

There is a total of 40 acres of vines to Caledonia Australis, comprising 25 acres of Pinot Noir and 15 acres of Chardonnay. Winemaker, Martin Williams MW, one of Australia’s leading cool climate winemakers has extensive experience in Australia, the United States and the Burgundy region in France joined Caledonia Australis in 1995.

Caledonia Australis produces wines under three labels: Caledonia Australis Estate (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Rose); Mount Macleod (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Rose); and Caledonia Australis Reserve (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir). With the release of the first wines, immense interest was generated within Australia and many wine writers waxed lyrical. Australia’s leading wine writer, James Halliday, gave the 2001 Caledonia Australis Chardonnay 95 points, to place it among the top Chardonnays in Australia. He also gave Caledonia Australis an impressive rating as a 5-star vineyard. The high quality wines and excellent reviews prompted a group of investors from Hong Kong to become shareholders.

Pictured below is the winemaker Martin Williams MW



Winemaker: Martin Williams, MW
Chief Executive/Export Contact : Alison Fraser, Managing Director
Address: Caledonia Australis Wine Company, PO Box 626, North Melbourne VIC 3051
Phone: (+61) (0) 418 174916
Email: alisonf@caledoniaaustralis.com
Website: www.caledoniaaustralis.com.au
Vineyard: 40 hectares under vine
Production: 6000 cases/year
Brands: Caledonia Australis Estate (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Rose); Mount Macleod (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Rose); and Caledonia Australis Reserve (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir)