Shane Virgo Senior Winemaker - Red Hill Estate Cheviot Bridge Wine Company Shane s first job was with the newly established Petaluma where he was exposed to all aspects of winery operations from Cellar Hand and Vineyard Hand, to Management of Barrel Operations and Sparkling Wine Program Co-ordinator.
Shane s ability to turn his hand to such a broad range of responsibilities and his obvious passion for the industry led Brian Croser to recommend that Shane complete formal training by studying for his Wine Science degree at Charles Sturt University.
Upon starting study in 1993 Shane was promoted to assistant winemaker for Petaluma table and sparkling wines and over the next few years he worked throughout the group as it grew, including time spent at Mitchelton, Petaluma's USA joint venture in Washington State and St Hallets.
Shane says My involvement in 31 vintages across Petaluma, Mitchelton, St Hallett and Washington State has exposed me to many wine making techniques and vineyards across many premium regions.
I have been fortunate to make wine from fruit that comes from some of Australia s premium vineyard regions, such as Clare, Barossa, Coonawarra, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek and various Victorian wine regions.
Shane's wine making philosophy is all about getting it right in the vineyard to maximize the potential of the grapes in the winery.
Attention to detail is critical as is applying the same philosophy across all wines and price points.
Shane believes that wines should show distinctive regional characteristics as a result if careful and considered vineyard input is put into the wines.
ELAN VINEYARD in Bittern is hidden away up a winding dirt road and makes a number of wine varieties including its most renown, Gamay- a red wine made in Beaujolais.
This wine has a succulent fruitiness in its youth with an intensity tha t belies its light-bodied appearance.
Flavours of cherry and raspberry are fabulous with a regional food hamper.
Elan offers a BBQ playground and rotunda for picnicking.
Winemaker Selma Lowther continues to develop the quality of her wines and the cellar door is open on the first weekend of every month.
EELANVINEYARDMORNINGTON PENINSULAEnjoy 100 Estate grown hand made winesCellar Door open first weekend of every month 12-5 or by appointment 17Turner Rd, Bittern 3918 Mel.
162 K5Ph.
03 5989 7209 82 GoodLife, june - july - august 2012