Fowles Wine owns and manages 360 acres of vines across two vineyards called Upton Run and Billi's in the Strathbogie Ranges.

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The rugged and beautiful Strathbogie Ranges are located an hour and a half drive northeast of Melbourne. It is here, in vineyards peppered with massive ancient granite boulders, at elevations between 430 and 550 metres above sea level that the vines from which we source Strathbogie fruit grow.

The soils in our family vineyards (Upton Run and Billi's) are comprised of decomposed granite - interspersed with massive granite outcrops. Technically speaking, the soil is sandy clay loam overlying granite and Callabonna clay bedrock - the soils are remarkably even across our vineyards. Ancient, nutrient poor and free-draining, these soils are great for grapes because the vines put their energy into fruit development (its means of survival), rather than canopy.

The climate in the Strathbogie Ranges is cool with a January mean temperature of 19.5ºC. In fact, in winter it's been known to snow! However, an almost constant wind whistles through the vines up here ensuring good air circulation in the grapes, reducing the risk of frost damage in early spring and mildew in summer. The location of the Strathbogie Ranges, north of Great Dividing range, means we experience strong diurnal weather patterns - warm days, cool nights. These conditions allow our fruit to gradually ripen over a longer period accumulating the right balance of sugars and acid whilst building intense flavour and colour. The lower rainfall (average annual rainfall is 700mm) and quick draining soils mean our vines have dry feet (vines don't like their roots constantly soaked) and as a result produce low yielding, flavourful fruit.

The topography of our family vineyards is undulating meaning our vines experience different micro climates and sunlight exposure; all of which can affect the character of the fruit. So although our soils are even, the diversity of aspect and micro climate in our vineyard blocks allows us to pick across a spectrum of ripeness and flavour profiles to craft interesting blends.

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Our winery is a 15-minute drive from the Hume Freeway on Upton Road in the Strathbogie Ranges. Sitting next to our family vineyards and perched on top of a hill overlooking the central Victoria plains, it is here that we cultivate curiosity. Chief Winemaker Victor Nash and Senior Winemaker Lindsay Brown apply ancient wisdom to modern winemaking, with a full suite of winemaking tools and gadgetry, including a barrel hall with over 1000 barrels including some that are 140 years old.