Chalmers

For more than a decade the Chalmers family has led the way in importing new, ‘alternative’ grape varieties through their Merbein nursery and Vineyard. They were prescient in seeing the need for varieties that are suited to Australian conditions and a changing climate, pioneering Mediterranean varieties, most recently falanghina, pecorino and ribolla gialla. With vineyards in the Murray Darling, established in the 1980s, and Heathcote regions ('11) and through the 2nd generation Kim and Tennille Chalmers, the family produces cutting-edge wines. From the Chalmers Project (experimental, micro-fermentation wines), the Montevecchio label (approachable blends), Le Sorelle (a celebration of Heathcote and Murray Darling fruit), Dott. (a tribute to viticulturist, Dr Rod Bonfiglioli) and Chalmers label (single-vineyard wines) and more, the family excels as both growers and producers, never content with the status quo. -JENI PORT