product details
key information
- Region: Victoria
- Sub-Region: n/a
- Style: red
- Vintage: 2008
- Taste guide: C
- Grape variety: Shriaz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec
- Alcohol Content (%):
- Organic/Vegan/Vegetarian:
The story of Brown Brothers began in Australia's Milawa region with a solitary man, John Francis Brown, who had dreams of owning a family vineyard. Armed with more vision than experience, he set forth to plant his first vines. In 1889, his dream bore fruit. John Francis Brown savored his first vintage from his modest ten acres. It was only after he planted the grapes, produced the wines and named the vineyard Brown Brothers that he discovered his three brothers had other ideas. It took two generations before the "Brothers" in "Brown Brothers" became a reality.
It was passion and spirit that guided John Francis through when phylloxera made a clean sweep of his vineyard in 1915. It was this spirit which made him start again. And again. It also saw him through the ravages of grasshoppers, frosts and WWI.
In 1934, John Francis was joined at the winery by his son, John Charles Brown. Now recognized as one of Australia's more innovative and experimental winemakers, John Charles was one of the first to recognize the true potential of the land at Milawa and began experimenting with a diverse range of varieties that would flourish there. Their 1937 planting included red and white Grenache, Palomino, Trebbiano, Graciano, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
When John Charles had children of his own, there was no doubt that they would eventually join their father. Wine was in their blood.
Perhaps the most obsessive was his eldest son, John Graham. Together, father and son saw a growth so rapid that Brown Brothers became an institution in itself and a name to be reckoned with internationally. The estate reached an impressive 150 acres and continued to acquire new vineyards, including the Whitland vineyard, one of the highest in Australia.
Age has not diminished John Charles' love of wine. Though in his 80s, he has far from retired. You can find him in the winery's tasting room, sharing his passion with visitors. A natural storyteller, his many anecdotes of wine and family are as intriguing as the wines themselves.Following in his father's footsteps, John Graham became the third generation of Brown winemakers at Milawa. And just like his father, he has not only pursued viticultural innovation, but also explored new processes in winemaking. He was the driving force behind the Kindergarten Winery. Not content just to dream about it, he built it.
A third brother, Ross Brown, joined the company in 1970. With a relentless enthusiasm, he has spread the word of his family's winery across the country and overseas. His empathy with people, together with his passion for the intricacies of wine and food pairings, has taken him to consumer and trade events throughout the world. John Graham recently handed over the management of the company to Ross. With the support of the fourth generation of the Brown family - represented by John Graham's son and daughter, Ross is poised to lead Brown Brothers into the 21st century.
Deep crimson colour with hints of maraschino cherries, dried herbs and undertones of cedar on the nose. Full bodied on the palate with silky tannins and moderate acidity, and flavours of blackcurrant, mature plum and dark cherries, with some notes of chocolate on the finish. Pair with red meat and casseroles.