Oakridge Wines
Star Cellar Door
(03) 9738 9900
oakridgewines.com.au
The history of Oakridge Wines has been played out over 39 years in two Yarra Valley locations and under a number of owners, but its reputation and enduring appeal rests on the broad shoulders of its long-time chief winemaker and CEO, David ‘Dave’ Bicknell.
The Oakridge name has come to be associated with two grape varieties, both made exceedingly well and not in one but many guises: chardonnay and pinot noir.
Leading the pack is the 864 Chardonnay (the name hails from the winery’s address) in a series of “micro-selection” expressions from single-block vineyards located across the Yarra Valley: Guerin, Lusatia Park, Willowlake and D’Alosiso, in addition to Oakridge’s home block. The 864 Chardonnay recently celebrated its first decade, an important step in the winery’s story. “We felt we had the resources to do something better than what we had been doing,” says Bicknell, who chose to highlight the grape’s aromatics and textural qualities.
Visitors to the well-maintained cellar door and restaurant should plan on staying a while, whether it is to linger over a tasting, the superb Valley views or something more substantial off the regional-driven menu. The coffee alone is worth a visit. JENI PORT
OUTSTANDING WINE: 2014 Oakridge 864 Single Block Chardonnay Funder and Diamond Vineyard, A$78