Seville Estate

Dr Peter McMahon and wife Margaret commenced planting Seville Estate in 1972, part of the resurgence of the Yarra Valley. Peter and Margaret retired in 97, selling to Brokenwood. Graham and Margaret Van Der Meulen acquired the property in 2005, bringing it back into family ownership. Graham and Margaret are hands-on in the vineyard and winery, working closely with winemaker Dylan McMahon, who is the grandson of Peter and Margaret. The philosophy is to capture the fruit expression of the vineyard in styles that reflect the cool climate. JAMES HALLIDAY

Dylan McMahon was on track to become an electrical engineer until he decided to follow his destiny and make wine - a good choice Dylan! His grandfather, Dr Peter McMahon, planted the first vines at Seville Estate in Victoria's Yarra Valley in 1970 and, with various incarnations including a stint under the Brokenwood wing, Dylan stepped into the winemaking seat at Seville in 2004. He's made the pilgrimage to Europe, like most of our finalists, but there's a home-grown preference for elegance and finesse that runs along family lines. YGW