Salo Wines

Salo Wines is a partnership between Steve Flamsteed (of Giant Steps fame, GT Winemaker of the year 2016) and Dave Mackintosh (Arfion) who met in the Yarra Valley in 2006 when Dave got the assistant winemaker job at Giant Steps. They instantly bonded over their mutual love of rugby, art, food and... Chardonnay. In 2008, they embarked on the Salo Wines project with the aim of making a Yarra Valley Chardonnay that sat outside the stylistic norms for the region. Letting their creative minds loose, the first vintage was 50% whole-bunch fermented and a pretty out-there style, but obviously struck a chord and was met with some serious critical acclaim.

Since 2008, the pair have honed Salo, refining and tweaking each year depending on the vintage conditions, but always making Chardonnay with great weight, power and structure. It's a wine that is uniquely theirs, inspired by a desire to work together, to make wine from their favourite variety and to have a good time doing it.

The Full Moon Vineyard, located high up in the Southern Hills of the Yarra Valley on the eastern side of the Gladysdale region, has been the source for Salo Chardonnay since 2014. It’s one of the only vineyards in the area, and unique in the fact that even though it faces west, it sees remarkably even ripening. The old vines are on chocolate, red-coloured volcanic soils and are sustainably and meticulously managed by Simon Harte. The fruit quality in Dave’s words is “always exceptional”.

The boys sum it up best:
“When the right grape is married to the right soil and site, really cool things happen. This partnership can transcend all challenges and shines well above human interference. Occasionally the stars align and nature throws us a really beautiful growing season.”