Australian Magic – The tale of a true craftsman

Angela Mount meets legendary winemaker Sandro Mosele of Kooyong Estate, featured in Flavour Magazine.

‘I never drink my own wines at home; I drink other people’s wines, so that I am always exploring and learning; I want to be inspired’ . This quote from one of the world’s most respected winemakers, Sandro Mosele, says a great deal about the man himself. Inquisitive and intuitive, Sandro displays an incredible respect for nature and winemaking, and has an endearing humility about his own incredible achievements – a true craftsman, combining the practicality and logics of a scientist, with the flair of an artist.

Sandro is an Australian, of Italian origins, who studied genetics and applied science and university and then discovered winemaking. He is the genius behind one of the top wine estates, in Australia’s premium winemaking region of Mornington Peninsula, who fell in love with the concept of creating superlative wines, and whose vision and craftsmanship has taken this winery, started only in 1995 to an iconic status worldwide.

Firstly, let me paint a picture of the Mornington Peninsula, which will set it apart from so many other Australian wine regions. It is a small area that lies 50km south of Melbourne, and stretches out into the Southern Ocean, influenced by the gulf winds, and often battered by the wind and rain that rolls in from the sea. It is the region of Australia that most resembles Europe in terms of weather, although the summers are far hotter, but the nights are cool, mists and fog roll in, and the winters are very cold.

Kooyong is world famous for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir; these grape varieties suit the climate, and also reflect Sandro’s personal passion for Burgundy; the elegance, and nervy restraint of the top wines of this region are reflected in the wines he makes, although they are unique in themselves.

Kooyong produce wines across 5 vineyards on their estate, some blended across the five, and others a unique expression of that individual vineyard, each with unique character.

Click here to see Kooyong Wines