Join me in the stunning Victorian High Country for an unfiltered, warm, and genuinely hilarious conversation with winemaker and mentor Kepple Smith of Savaterre.
On the first day of spring, with a flight of Chardonnay in front of us and an incredible spread prepared by Kepple’s wife, we dive into the story of how a former Sydney surfer, police officer, and foreign-exchange executive ended up becoming one of the most respected Chardonnay producers in Australia.
Kepple talks about:
* His unexpected path into wine
* Planting vines in Beechworth before anyone believed in the region
* Close-planted vineyards, ancient soils & the magic of elevation
* Reduction, ripeness, and the tightrope of Chardonnay winemaking
* The 2024 vintage, bottled just last week and not released until May
It’s a conversation full of honesty, wisdom, and laughs… and yes, you’ll hear us chewing.
👉 If you love wine, stories, and real insight into what makes Beechworth so special, this one is for you.