Patritti’s young winemakers embrace excellence at the historic suburban winery
Giovanni Patritti disembarked on an Italian boat in Port Adelaide in 1925 at the age of 25. He’d left his region of Piedmont, Northern Italy with ideals of a new beginning and skills in winemaking. An opportunity quickly arose, within the Marion district, to lease and then purchase vineyards. As more Italians arrived in steady numbers, the demand for Italian style red also increased. Giovanni’s new business flourished. From 1926 until the early 1990’s, Giovanni and then his three sons Peter, John and Geoff Patritti oversaw all wine and juice production at the Dover Gardens property. From the mid 1990’s, Patritti employed a number of contract winemakers including Lado Uzunashvili, who introduced Giovanni’s grandson James to the Georgian variety Saperavi.
In 2001, the third generation entered the family business. James Mungall began working as winemaker. In 2006 he was joined by friend and fellow oenology classmate Ben Heide and their experimentation with single vineyard wines and obscure varieties began. Their passion for high-end, small batch winemaking has resulted in a five star rating with James Halliday and many 90+ scores of current release wines.
In 2010, Judges at the McLaren Vale Wine Show awarded a trophy to the Patritti’s 2009 Blewitt Springs Estate Merlot (best wine in class). This wine was just $8.80 per bottle at the time of the announcement –needless to say, it astounded the judges. In 2013, the Patritti Alternative Varieties Saperavi was awarded a gold medal at the Royal Sydney Wine Show – the first Australian Saperavi to ever reach this score on the national circuit. This wine now has a cult following.
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Since 2010, Patritti have released a number of single vineyard wines from the 50+ year old family-owned vineyards in Tatachilla and Blewitt Springs and they attract significant attention for their quality. In addition to the single vineyard wines and juices, Patritti also produce a huge range of wines sourced from SA’s best regions.
Eighty-seven years on and Patritti remains 100% family-owned & 100% South Australian. Giovanni’s legacy continues with fervour. Patritti is now the only fully operational, 100% family-owned winery and cellar door located in an Australian capital city. The five acre property is just 10 minutes from Glenelg and all 20 staff operate from the original, 1930’s Patritti family winery.
Giovanni’s sons Geoff & John are directors and still work at the winery. Eldest son Peter is a now retired but remains a vital board member. Giovanni’s daughter Ines Patritti is the Managing Director and his grandson James is one of two winemakers. James and his colleague Ben Heide are passionate winemakers and continue to heighten the status of Patritti’s premium range of wines through dedication, experimentation and commitment to small-batch, quality winemaking.
For more information visit southaustralia.com
