Lithostylis

Dean and Dayna Roberts purchased their ’97-planted vineyard in ’06. They say ‘Organic and biodynamic practices are preferred, but not dogmatically pursued. Winemaking is limited to essential interventions.' Dean began his career with a viticulture diploma from Swinburne University, Lilydale, in '02, becoming vineyard manager for Diamond Valley Vineyards, simultaneously undertaking further winemaking studies. He then completed a vintage at Ponzi Wines in Oregon, and on returning to Australia had a short, but intense, period of employment with Bass Phillip. He now works as a vineyard management contractor, and on the winemaking front receives assistance from Dayna, who has a biomedical science degree from Monash University. -JAMES HALLIDAY