Charles Melton

Charlie Melton, one of the Barossa Valleys great characters, with wife Virginia by his side, makes some of the most eagerly sought a la mode wines in Australia. Inevitably, the Melton empire has continued to grow in response to the insatiable demand. There are now 7ha at Lyndoch, 9ha at Krondorf and 1.6ha at Light Pass, the lions share shiraz and grenache, and a small planting of cabernet sauvignon. An additional 30ha property was purchased in High Eden, with 10ha of shiraz planted in 2009, and a 5ha field planting of grenache, shiraz, mataro, carignan, cinsaut, picpoul and bourboulenc planted in 10. The expanded volume has had no adverse effect on the wonderfully rich, sweet and well-made wines. The original Krondorf village church (circa 1864) has been acquired and converted to guest accommodation. JAMES HALLIDAY, The Australian Wine Companion