Description
“If you’re into the new wave of true fine wine producers of Australia you should be onto, should get onto, Domenica. Classics in the making. Rising high. Peter Graham got schooled (partly) at the great Giaconda winery in Beechworth. This is where he struts his own stuff ..’ Mike Bennie Wine Front
Peter Graham has been making wine in Beechworth since 1999, when he began working in the vineyards and winery at Giaconda. During these early years, he studied oenology at Charles Sturt University while working as assistant winemaker at Giaconda until 2012, when he left to establish Domenica.
The vineyard was first planted in 1996, an accord of family and friends. The original planting consisted of Chardonnay, Roussanne and Pinot Noir on the steeper south facing section of the property. Ensuing years saw a joint venture between Michel Chapoutier, Rick Kinsbrunner and Peter Graham expand plantings to feature Shiraz and Nebbiolo.
With more than 25 years of experience working this vineyard site, Peter brings an intimate perspective to the celebrated Beechworth Region. The wines are thoughtfully vinified on-site in small batches to capture the diversity of aspects and clonal selections in the vineyard.
Domenica sits 460m above sea level atop the granite ridge sweeping away to the south west of Beechworth. The wines are vividly reflective of their origin, a gripping mineral texture encasing the mature vine vitality of the varietals chosen to express it. Winemaking is traditional. Taste is more important than numbers. The yeasts come from the site, not a packet. Pressings, solids and lees all play their part completing the picture. The wines are carefully maintained in oak barriques before being bottled unfiltered.
About this wine from the winemaker: “This section of the Estate vineyard was planted in 2006 and grafted to Gamay in 2020. We have used five different clones in this vineyard; planted on south-east facing rows planted south-east facing on granite soils, at 450m elevation. Vineyard practices are organic with minimal irrigation.
“Bright ruby in colour. A medium-bodied wine inspired by the best Cru Beaujolais – a Gamay to be taken seriously. Aromas of black cherry, tobacco and forest floor. Earthy wet stone, fennel seed, and cacao. An intense perfume of heirloom rose petals and sandalwood. A complex wine, precise with silky tannins. Crisp natural acidity extending the length of the palate. An expressive wine with a structure suiting medium term ageing. A pure and vibrant expression of Australian Gamay. Our third release and clearly a natural fit for Beechworth’s climate, elevation and soil.
“The 2025 season was temperate, with a fairly cool and dry growing season. Warm, dry weather in late January and into early February allowed the grapes to fully ripen in excellent condition. Yields were high and the quality was exceptional.”
94 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front “Peter Graham is mad for Gamay. Cherries, dried flowers, spice and cracked pepper, slight new leather and nori. It’s medium-bodied, saline and savoury, cherries, lovely stony/graphite tannin makes itself known but sits neatly inside the wine, and there’s a rose and violet mouth-perfume, which is quite the thing, then fresh on a finish of excellent length. Super!”
RRP $51 Our Special Price $39.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine
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