Mount Mary

Set in the heart of the Yarra Valley, Mount Mary is a family owned estate crafting finessed wines across 40 acres of vines. The single vineyard estate is now run by Sam Middleton who works diligently in the vines as his father, David, and grandfather, John, once did. At the forefront of the resurgence of the Yarra Valley, the Middleton family has not taken the foot of the pedal as they continue to innovate and future proof their vines generation after generation.

Finding similarities to Burgundy and Bordeaux, the terroir of the Yarra Valley is the perfect platform for winemakers such as the Middletons to develop their fine wines to rival that of France.

Following numerous visits to Bordeaux and Burgundy in the 1960s, John and Marli Middleton looked to acknowledge their passion for premium French wines through forming their own estate in the heart of the Yarra Valley. With an unwavering commitment to making elegant, low alcohol wines from French grape varietals, the couple secured the property now known as Mount Mary in 1971.

Wasting no time, the planting of the first vines was completed by mid 1972 on the ideally located, gentle north facing slope. During this time a friend of John Middleton, Colin Preece (Senior Winemaker at Seppelts Great Western), mentioned that Australia was yet to produce a refined and elegant Cabernet. Of course we know now that Mount Mary has succeeded in such a field with their award winning Quintet cuvee.

Mount Mary Wines

Purchase Mount Mary Wines from Clos Cachet

Working the vines sustainably, the team at Mount Mary have a keen interest in soil health adopting practices such as spreading compost to increase soil organic matter, and mulching undervine with straw to increase soil water retention. Minimising the use of machinery each vintage is also in action to help reduce the soil compaction between the rows of vines. Additionally, cover crops are sown down every alternate row helping to increase soil organic matter, improve soil structure and provide a home for the many beneficial insects which play an important role in pest management.

To be entirely self-sustaining, working with the earth for generations to come has been the goal and philosophy of the Middleton family since day one and they continue to evolve with each vintage to ensure a future of great wines. To achieve this, more than half of the acreage is not directly related to the wine production with revegetation areas for native wildlife to thrive, and a large water hole to hydrate the vines and surrounding land. Renewable power, water collection and recycling, and redesigned facilities are at the centre of their innovations along with projects such as the Reticulation of harvested water supplies, Gully Wetlands area, and the propagation.

There are 18 varietals planted at the Mount Mary estate, all harvested to produce a premium selection of wines across the Estate and Marli Russell range.

The four Mount Mary Vineyard estate wines comprise of two blends traditionally grown and made in Bordeaux, France (Quintet and Triolet) and two varieties traditionally grown and made in Burgundy, France (Pinot noir and Chardonnay). All the wines are made from estate grown fruit and are produced and bottled on site at Mount Mary.

Clos Cachet is honoured to distribute Mount Mary's wine. They represent the Victorian landscape of the Yarra Valley perfectly.