About Annapurna Wines

Annapurna Wines are located on Simmonds Creek Road, Tawonga, Victoria. They are makers of excellent wines.

The name, ‘Annapurna’, was used by a previous owner and was taken from the name of the second highest mountain in the world. The translation from Nepalese to English is ‘Goddess of Bountiful Harvest and Fertility’; which seems quite appropriate.

It was in 1989 that Annapurna Wines was established. It runs to some forty-five acres and is planted to Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir. It is situated at around 550 metres at Tawonga South in the Alpine Valleys region of north east Victoria.

It is said that the region is very much like the finest wine growing areas in Europe in terms of its soil and climate. It has a plentiful supply of fresh, clean water, the air is pristine, the winters very cold and the summers have hot days, but cool nights; which all makes for the growing of exceptionally high quality, intensely-flavoured grapes.

It was in 1969 that the Minutello family bought the property. It was originally a dairy farm, but had run down and was overrun by bush and scrub, with a swamp, a small track, blackberries and a little shack.

They grew tobacco for about eleven years, but abandoned that scheme when it proved to be unprofitable. The farm lay virtually idle for six years and then in, 1987, Ezio met Wendy and were soon married. They set up a home on the estate.

In 1989 they planted their first vines and now the vineyard was established. Two years later the first harvest of the grapes took place. It was not until 1995 that their first vintage was released under the Annapurna Estate label.

Between 1996 and the present, they have won numerous awards and medals for their superb wines. It is a wonderful testament to their dedication and hard work.

Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir are all available at their Cellar Door.