Eastern Peake

Eastern Peake is located in the Ballarat Highlands not far from Clunes, in a dramatically picturesque setting exemplified by the granite outcrop of Mt Bolton – or “Eastern Peake”. The site was originally selected, with the help of Trevor Mast, in 1983, to produce fruit for Mt Langi Sparkling. Norm Latta – described by Alla Wolf-Tasker as a “National Treasure”, worked with Trevor Mast for over a decade before signing off to create the independent label Eastern Peake. The soils here are duplex in nature with clay loam basalt overlying a subsoil of clay and fine ironstone. Combined with the dry and cool climate, this terroir is ideal for producing fine and very long-lived Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and cool climate Syrah. Owen Latta has been making wine at Eastern Peake since he was a teenager. Circumstances have meant that he and his father have had to work together closely, with Norman as the overseer and Owen as the hands-on winemaker. Norm and his son Owen craft wines on site that need little intervention in the vineyard or winery. Natural acidity and balance from the unique site allows long macerations, natural ferments in open concrete fermenters and ageing in mostly used French barrels. Jacqs, PWS