Charlie Melton founded his winery on Krondorf Road in the Barossa Valley of South Australia in 1984 along with his wife Virginia Weckert. A few years later he created the Rhône-style Nine Popes, the first GSM blend [Grenache/Shiraz/Mouvèdre] to be produced in the Barossa. He is credited with helping to retain the vinicultural heritage of the Barossa – this was a time when many vineyard owners were uprooting Shiraz vines in favour of what they thought were more fashionable varieties. However Charlie convinced them to keep their historic vineyards and revive the underrated grape varieties of Shiraz and Grenache. Charlie was recognised for his achievements in 2007, by being inducted into the “Barons of Barossa” wine fraternity, which is offered to people who have made an outstanding contribution to the Barossa Valley. Estate grown fruit is complemented with grapes from other family-owned vineyards in the Barossa, Charlie's own five vineyards are some of the oldest and most revered in the region, and these gnarly venerable old vines give the unique style to the Charles Melton wines. The 30 acre Kirche vineyard in Krondork is 40 years old and produces some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz in the area. The Winery Block Vineyard, which surrounds the winery in Krondorf has 5 acres of Grenache which was planted in 1942. The 25 acre Woodland Vineyard in Altona is 50 years old and planted principally with Grenache and Shiraz. The Koch Vineyard in Rowland Flat was planted in 1927, and has 20 acres split almost equally between bushvine Grenache and Shiraz. The High Eden Vineyard in the Eden Valley was purchased in 2008, and here 73 acres are planted with Shiraz and bushvine Grenache, along with a small field planting of some of the other varietals that comprise the traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape blend. Charles Melton has won national and international acclaim for his fine red wines, and his rosé, The Rose of Virginia, named after his wife, is thought of as one of the best rosés ever created in Australia. Charlie Melton is a Barossa icon!
www.charlesmeltonwines.com.au