Diamond Valley Vineyards was established in 1976 by the Lance family, on highly scenic terroir, along the beautiful Yarra River Valley. The hillside estate's vineyard is blessed with pure air, bathed in sunlight, it is a haven for kangaroos and native birds. The aim was to grow the finest grapes possible, and to handcraft them into elegant and distinctive wines of the highest quality.
Since the first release in 1982, Diamond Valley Vineyards has enjoyed outstanding acclaim for its wines, amassing a tally of medals quite out of proportion to it's tiny size, yet remaining one of Australia's leading smaller wineries, by adhering to the founding philosophy, placing the pursuit of quality before the production of good quantities.
The carefully selected four hectare vineyard site is a north and west facing suntrap, delivering warm growing conditions to the vines in a cool climate. The soil is of low fertility, translating into the maintenance of balanced vines and low grape yields. A carefully managed canopy and few disease problems complete the essential parameters for growing the finest fruit. The Lance family, and their friends, tend the vines by hand to produce beautifully ripe grapes which are fashioned into elegant and distinctive wines of the highest quality.
Diamond Valley employs a modern on-site winery, designed to employ the highest standards of vinification, whilst being firmly based on traditional winemaking techniques. All wines are crafted at the winery and bottled in the estate's own high quality bottling facility. The Blue Label wines are from selected parcels of fruit purchased from premium Yarra Valley growers. Released earlier than the White Label wines, the Blue Label includes Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Shiraz Viognier, Cabernet Merlot and a Pinot Noir, which is widely acclaimed as one of Australia's best value for money Pinots.
Diamond Valley's White Labels are entirely estate grown, single vineyard wines which express the terroir of very special fruit blocks. The White Label range of wines consists of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernets and Shiraz. These deeply flavoured, marvellously complex wines consistently delight with concentrated fruit, beautiful balance and lingering full flavours, and have been awarded an abundance of medals and more than thirty trophies.
Today, Diamond Valley Vineyards continues as a family owned and operated winery under the new ownership of Graeme Rathbone. James Lance remains as winemaker to further enhance the Diamond Valley philosophy. Diamond Valley Pinot Noir is consistently regarded as among Australia's finest. Diamond Valley Chardonnay is a deep and refreshing Yarra white with more fruit and less oak. Diamond Valley also occassionally produce small batches of limited release wines, which as always represent value and optimal drinking quality.
