Felicitas
2016 Heathcote
A method traditional sparkling which takes its name from the Roman Goddess of fertility, good luck and happiness. Made from 100% Fiano it spends more than two years on lees. Fiano is a star performer in the Heathcote vineyard with lovely natural acidity which means, even in the warm conditions of Colbinabbin it can make a sparkling wine with finesse and freshness without the need for acid or sugar adjustment in the winemaking. A true sign that the grape is a great match for the site. Remember, Felicitas = happiness. On any occasion.
Vermentino
2018 Heathcote
Chalmers came out with Australia’s first Vermentino wine in 2004 and it’s since become a trademark line in the range, their ‘go-to’ white. There are now more than 100 winemakers working with the grape across this country and it’s no wonder when it loves the sunshine and makes such delicious wines with ultimate drinkability. Chalmers Vermentino is a truly unique iteration of the Mediterranean grape, a crisp and refreshing drink with white florals, soft stonefruit and a lick of saltiness, perfect for the Australian al fresco lifestyle.
Greco
2017 Heathcote
An intriguing variety which makes an equally interesting wine and the most recent white to join the Chalmers fray. With bucket-loads of natural acid, these grapes stay vibrant and racy through the warm summer of northern Heathcote, meaning Greco can achieve fruit richness without compromising freshness. The wine is bold and intense with ripe apple and poached quince flavours with a chalky, crunchy backbone. Not for the faint at heart, rather an adventure for the palate, especially at the dinner table.
Fiano
2017 Heathcote
The top tier wine of the Chalmers whites. This grape has shone since day one in both Chalmers vineyards and has really made it’s home in Heathcote proving that the famous Cambrian soil is just a special for what it imparts to whites as it does to reds. Chalmers Fiano always has a portion of wood in the winemaking, recently in a chestnut botte, it is also bottle aged before release, both to emphasise the natural bees-waxy texture of the variety. It ages with aplomb so stick it in your cellar or serve it at your next dinner party to white burgundy lovers. They will love it.
Rosato
2018 Heathcote
Who doesn’t love rosé? The Chalmers Rosato is made from mostly Aglianico with a splash of Nero d’Avola and Sagrantino. All three varieties are growing on the prized top block at the Heathcote vineyard which is a complex rocky site with green basalt, ironstone, dolerite and fractured limestone. The block gives a distinct elegance and prettiness to the red varieties grown there, even though these varieties are usually more muscular. The Aglianico portion is fermented in old barriques and the other two are co-fermented in stainless steel to retain freshness. The end result is a serious yet slurpable pale, dry and textural rose.
Nero d'Avola
2018 Heathcote
Imported by the Chalmers family in 2001, that one little vine which was brought in has evolved into more than 200,000 vines planted all over Australia and is doing great things. It’s really found a synergy with the red soils of Heathcote, particularly in the top block where the Chalmers Nero d’Avola is grown. The combination of the lightness and charry/graphite notes of that site with the cherry/raspberry, tar and hard herb characters of Nero are a great match. Chalemrs deliberately go for a crunchy style which gives an enchanting, vibrant and juicy red perfect for summer drinking. Chill it off slightly for utmost enjoyment.
Aglianico
2016 Heathcote
In the quest for grapes which produce excellent wines in warm Aussie conditions in the face of climate change, Aglianico has won the race. A late ripening grape, it cruises through summer to ripen slowly in the cooler autumn months giving a lower alcohol yet complex and refined red wine capable of long ageing. Made in a chestnut botte and bottle aged before release, Chalmers Aglianico has earned its place at the top of the range showing all the hallmarks of a great red wine. Poise and structure, freshness and complexity, this wine has it all. Open a bottle with friends over dinner, in every glass you’ll find something new to love.
Appassimento
2017 Murray Darling
Decadent and charming at once, this little dessert wine is very special. Made from 100% Lambrusco Maestri estate grown at the Merbein vineyard, the grapes are hand-picked then naturally sun-dried on traditional sultana racks before vinification. This concentrates the sugars and reduces the weight meaning that there are 1.5kg of grapes in every 375ml bottle of wine. After a long slow fermentation and ageing in barrique the wine is ready for bottle. The result? Think prunes, Dutch cocoa, black cardamom. Pretty much the perfect cheese plate wine.
Lambrusco
2014 Heathcote
Lambrusco is a dirty word in the eyes of many a wine connoisseur because of it’s huge popularity as a cheap and cheerful quaff, especially in the 70s and 80s, but a dedicated bunch of fine Italian producers from Emilia-Romagna have been working hard over the last decade or two to change perceptions about what Lambrusco can be. There is a small but strong movement emerging whose mission is to produce and promote more structured, dry Lambrusco wines. And no wonder – because the variety makes a divine drop when treated with care and attention.
The 2014 Chalmers Lambrusco is intensely fragrant showing purple florals, tobacco, blackcurrant fruit and sweet spices of vanilla, cinnamon and clove. The palate shows bright fruit with savoury notes, refreshing acidity and a lasting tannic grip and fine persistent fizz.
“That sickly sweet Lambrusco of the ‘70s and ‘80s is gone but slowly being forgotten thanks to winemakers like the Chalmers family in Heathcote. This is a beauty, with a delicate fizz and cassis and sarsparilla-like flavours that flow across the palate. Chill Well”
Chris Morrison, Sunday Herald Sun, October 2017
GI: Heathcote, Victoria
Aglianico
2013 Heathcote
In southern Italy aglianico is hailed as the noblest of red varieties. In Australia it has proven to produce wines of finesse, structure and elegance in the most adverse of climatic conditions. At Chalmers the aglianico wines have always been considered top-tier reds within the range. To reflect that the latest planting has been established on the prized, top elevation, rocky site on the ridge of the Mt Camel Range at the Heathcote vineyard which is similar in characteristics to the variety’s native terroir.
The 2013 Aglianico shows earthy cherry, aromatic spice and delicate petal perfume on the nose. The balanced, savoury palate shows subtle fruitcake spices, tobacco, leather, herbal notes and candied orange rind with a pleasant mouth-watering acidity and the fine, smooth, building tannins you would expect of the variety. An elegant and structured medium weight wine which, although it has already been cellared before release, still has excellent potential for long ageing.
“Deep crimson. Very pure, fresh raspberry and cherry, vibrant and succulent, and a little sleeker than the Italian pedant but with a vibrant finish. Really sleek and fine and linear.”
17+ / 20, Walter Speller on JancisRobinson.com, February 2015
“I can do business with this wine. It has no sharp edges to worry about; it is light to medium-bodied, with spicy/juicy red and sour cherry fruits and a clean finish.”
Halliday, Wine Companion, August 2017
GI: Heathcote, Victoria
Sagrantino
2014 Heathcote
One of the most tannic varieties in the world, sagrantino is relatively small player in Italy where there are only about 250 hectares of the grape grown in the Montefalco region of Umbria. Despite this it is a highly revered wine with DOCG status since 1992. It has been growing in Australia since 2000 with the first Australian wine made by Chalmers in 2004. There are now a number of producers making great examples of the variety which has proven to perform fantastically well in both extreme heat/drought conditions and wet vintages like 2010 and 2011.
The 2014 Sagrantino is from our Heathcote vineyard where the vines are growing in a special site close to the top of the ridge in complex, rocky Cambrian earth. The wine is deep and robust with aromas of dark fruits, bitter chocolate, spice and tobacco. These characters are echoed on the generous yet elegant palate, supported by mouthfilling, yet fine-grain tannins and bramble accents.
“Medium red colour with tints of purple and developed brick-red. The bouquet is savoury, earthy, developed and mellow, thanks to age development. The palate is sweet and soft, mellow and showing aged characters. Some smoked-meats nuances.”
Huon Hooke, December 2017
GI: Heathcote, Victoria
Our Brands
Along with the core Chalmers range of wines, we also produce the following brands.
Chalmers wines are the result of years of experimentation and refinement, from the soil to the bottle, Australian wines which pay respect to their continental heritage.
Where the Chalmers range is all about unique and detailed expression of variety, site and vintage, Montevecchio is just about good drinks. Based on style rather than variety, this concise range of everyday drinking wines have fun and flair at their heart.
Where all the fun happens. Every year Chalmers makes experimental wines from the nursery source blocks in Merbein as well as the every growing Heathcote plantings. Not to be locked away in the lab – these wines are made public and can be found in a wine bar or indie bottle shop near you. You can’t miss the colourful labels.
Dott. is handmade by Chalmers from estate grown fruit. Inspired by the late Dr. Rod Bonfiglioli a passionate, eccentric scientist whose dogged determination and visionary foresight brought so much colour, interest and integrity to Australian wine. He sought out these rare grapes for our collection, seeing their promise long before we did, and for that we are grateful.
When your main business is as left field as the eclectic and diverse work with Italian varieties at Chalmers, what do you do for a side project? Sisters Kim and Tennille decided to make a Heathcote Shiraz, but in the style of red that they enjoy.
After Chalmers imported 6 clones of Malbec selected from Mendoza in Argentina 15 years ago Bruce Chalmers has been passionate about making great Malbec. Arturo is his baby.
Our Brands
