The Portet family holds possibly an unmatched record in the Australian wine industry. Dominique is the ninth generation in his family to be committed to winemaking, yet he is the first to establish a winery and label bearing the family name.
The son of André Portet, régisseur (vineyard & winery manager) of Chateau Lafite-Rothschild in Pauillac, Dominique’s training began at one of the world’s most illustrious red wine properties. He was uniquely qualified at the Montpellier University of Oenology and during a compulsory one year military service was the legions wine purchasing adviser. With each French soldier receiving his daily wine ration, the army’s morale was at stake. Further enhancing his qualifications, Dominique spent vintages in the Médoc, the Rhone Valley, Provence and with world Champagne giant Moët et Chandon.
Dominique was inclined to join his brother Bernard at his winery Clos du Val in the Napa Valley of California where he would spend three vintages, and at the same time commencing a search to find vineyards to rival that of his native Bordeaux. Since 1976, as a pioneer of the renaissance of the Victorian Industry, Australia, he was steadfast in his vision to initiate the highly regarded wines, that he made at Taltarni and Clover Hill.
“I’m at home here, I know my roots are here now.”
In 2000 would see the beginning of the Dominique Portet label, looking around for a suitable winery site he decided on the Yarra Valley, attracted to its quality and style. “I found fragrance and structure- most of all structure reminds me of Bordeaux”, he explains. “The Yarra has a charm, a beauty that engulfs you, the wines are worldly”
Although he now calls Australia home, Dominique Portet’s bond with Bordeaux cannot be broken. His family has had links with the wine industry since 1720. “It is longer, but most of the records were lost during the revolution.” The earliest of documents, dated 1720, relate to the sale of eaux de vie by the Portets to the Martell family.
The tradition associated with the Portet family continues today with wife Julia and sons Ben, Thomas and Henri, all having a close association with the winery. Thomas lives in Denmark, keeping a keen eye on exports. Ben a 10th generation winemaker, from Adelaide University and experience in wineries around the world, France, South Africa (Stellenbosch) and America (Napa Valley), has returned to his family Yarra Valley winery, the legacy continues. Entrusting also an undoubtable commitment to high quality winemaking of exceptional standards to the Portet family winery. |
