Bellvale Wine
John Ellis, Winemaker, Bellvale Wine
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Berrys Creek VIC 3953
Australia
Fax: 03 5668 8230
Email: bellvale@optus.com.au
Appointment Email: johnellis@bellvalewine.com.au
Bellvale Wine produces fine wine for the Australian and international markets from its boutique winery situated in Berrys Creek, in cool-climate South Gippsland on coastal Victoria, in the Lakes & Wilderness region.
Established in 1998, Bellvale Wine is a family-owned business run by principal winemaker and viticulturalist, John Ellis. Situated in the lush Tarwin River valley of South Gippsland, the area is acknowledged as one of Australia's best Pinot-Noir producing regions.
The name, Bellvale, is derived from the Ellis family's rich agricultural heritage, which may be traced back to a farm in Nieuw Amsterdam (the New York area), in the late 1600s. The Bellvale label features two majestic oak trees that grace the centre of its vineyard.
John Ellis spent 50 years on Long Island, in south-east New York, before emigrating to Australia in the 1980s. His abiding passion for fine wine and viticulture stem from extensive free time spent in Europe during a 25-year career as a commercial pilot. To maintain his interest, John followed several agricultural paths during that time, including planting Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to supply the first vineyard in the Hamptons in the 1970s. Over time came many trips to Burgundy to hone his knowledge of traditional French winemaking methods and traditional viticulture.
Exposure to Australian wines sparked an interest in terroir down under. What followed was a lengthy period of research and the selection of South Gippsland's cool climate, where he aims to produce wines of the quality and integrity of the premium producers of the Burgundy region.
Bellvale won both Gold and Bronze at the world's most prestigious and influential wine judging competition - The International Wine Challenge in London.
The Gold award was presented for The Quercus Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008 and Bronze for John's Athena's Vineyard Chardonnay 2008.
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- Gippsland
- Lakes and Wilderness
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Pioneering winemaker John Ellis has just won Gold and Bronze awards at The International Wine Challenge - London for his The Quercus Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008 and Athena's Vineyard Chardonnary 2008. Currently on the shelves are his equally fine 07 Pinot along with the 08 Chardonnay. Read their tasting notes here »
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