Savaterre

Savaterre started in the mid-90s when Keppell Smith left his job in finance and went looking for the right place to grow proper Chardonnay and Pinot. He didn’t want just any vineyard - he wanted somewhere special. After searching all over the country, he found this site just outside Beechworth. High altitude, granite soils, cool nights. It ticked the boxes.

He bought the land, planted it in ’96, and got to work. The soil’s tough - rocky granite over clay - which means small yields but great concentration. Everything is done by hand. The winery’s right next to the vineyard, so the fruit doesn’t travel far.

Keppell makes wine with a pretty minimal approach. No added yeast, no fancy additives. Just wild ferments, time on lees, and a long rest in high-quality French oak before bottling. He’s always looked to Burgundy for inspiration, but he’s never tried to copy it. These wines speak clearly of Beechworth.

The Chardonnay is the flagship, the Pinot is more under the radar but seriously good. Both wines are layered, structured, and built to age, but they’re not flashy or showy. Just really well made.

Savaterre is one of the most sought-after labels in Beechworth - especially if you are a Chardonnay fan, we highly recommend you search these out.