Boutique Chaperon Wines, made in small batches to the highest quality, are now available at the Golden Nugget Restaurant in Maldon. The exclusive wines are produced entirely by hand at Grangehill Vineyard from varietals including shiraz, grenache and mourvedre.
The business was inspired by its location at the historic property, which had been a thriving winery until the phylloxera epidemic of the late nineteenth century. After selling various homegrown products in outlets across regional Victoria, owners Russell Clarke and Angelina Chaperon decided to take the property back to its roots, so to speak. “At that time, when phylloxera went through the wine states, if the disease didn’t kill the vines, people were paid to dig them up. So there was none of that left,” Angelina explained. “But the history made Russell think that since it was once a winery, it could be again.”
Russell studied wine-making at TAFE, worked at other wineries and learned under mentors, and after replanting the vineyard, the couple’s first vintage was released in 2000. It was produced in the traditional way. “The vineyard has never been irrigated. We don’t use herbicides or insecticides,” Angelina says. “Grapevines don’t need irrigation and we believe that makes the quality of our fruit.”
Chaperon only produces 500 cases of wine in a good year, which means this high-quality drop is rare and valuable. It makes sense that Golden Nugget Restaurant at Porcupine Village, which has just won a prestigious award, would want to feature Chaperon on its menu.
“We’re thrilled to have our wines served at Golden Nugget and we also want to congratulate the team on their win at the Restaurant and Catering Awards,” Angelina said.
Chaperon Wines of Grangehill Vineyard are also available at Maldon Market, Maldon IGA and from their own cellar door on weekends. Visit Grangehill Vineyard each Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 5pm at 135 Gallaghers Lane, Eddington. For enquiries call Russell on 0457 353 838 and look out for Grangehill Vineyard on social media.
This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 8 November 2024.
