About Basalt Wines

Celebrating 20 Years of winemaking

Just over 20 years ago Shane had an epiphany, while working in a vineyard in South West Australia with some Italian immigrants.

He realised he could combine his passion for farming, good wine and food, and settle back in Southwest Victoria to establish his own vineyard.

Although by trade he was an auto technician, he had worked in some swanky hospitality venues over the years, and enjoyed some of his youth working on his cousins Dairy Farms.

The next 20 years lead us to where Basalt Wines is today, and where it’s heading.

Winemaking At Basalt

Our journey began in 2003, set on a path of organic practices for pest and disease control.
And our philosophy evolved as we understand that great wine is all about what happens in the vineyard, maintain the soils and the vines.

Nestled in the Earth’s Embrace

Each vine that grows on our estate is cradled in black volcanic topsoil, speckled with basalt fragments – a memento from the ancient volcano that once reigned here.

Beneath this rich mantle, porous tufa, decomposed limestone and yellow sand layers reveal an incredible soil profile – the perfect canvas for cultivating our vines.

A Robust Horticultural Legacy

Our vineyard has deep roots in Victoria’s robust horticultural history, nurtured by Irish settlers who found a home from home in Killarney’s familiar landscapes.

Once a hub for potato and onion farming, our land is now dedicated to the art of viticulture.

Our Unique Vineyard Orientation

Planted on a gentle north-facing slope, our 2,900 vines are sheltered by native belts that provide refuge to local fauna and buffer against the bracing Southern Ocean wind.

The careful layout and orientation of the vineyard ensure each vine soaks up just the right amount of sunshine.

The Stars of our Vineyard

We’ve selected early ripening grape varieties to capitalize on our maritime/cool climate and the moderating effects of the sea breeze. We grow Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, and Riesling, each grafted onto Schwarzmann rootstocks.

The decision to use grafted vines stems from the need to control vine vigor due to the nutrient-rich soil. Plus, we use drought-resistant rootstock, and our vineyard is completely dry grown, all contributing to a balanced vine growth.

Holistic Vineyard Management

Our vines are trellised using the Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP) system and are meticulously hand pruned and thinned to achieve a maximum yield of 1 to 1.5 tonnes per acre.

At optimum ripeness, each grape bunch is handpicked with precision, reflecting our commitment to quality and sustainable practices.

Unlock Exclusive Perks with Basalt's VIP Club

Join our esteemed VIP Club to immerse yourself in the rich world of Basalt Wines.

Members enjoy complimentary cellar door tastings, exclusive access to our newest releases, special discounts, and a special surprise on their birthday.

JOIN THE CLUB TODAY

Customer Love

    
 
 
        
   Jean 
 06/08/2023
 
 
  Our group of six gals had a wonderful experience at Basalt.

Our waiter had a great energy about him, hilariously funny and knowledgeable about his wine. The food was incredible - particularly the halloumi and fish - and the wine was divine. The team went above and beyond with the service - it was one of our birthdays and they bought out a slice of cheese cake with a candle and sang happy birthday. We were also gifted some free sides, totally yummy.

Overall - divine wine, great atmosphere and a wonderful host made our time very enjoyable.
  
 
       
   Nicholas Tonkes 
 28/06/2023
 
 
  Lovely team running the cellar door restaurant. The Tempranillo and Shiraz were delightful and the food was delicious. I would stop by again for the cheese and chorizo tasting plates. Great place to stop by for a quick stop or a couple of hours as I did. Thanks for a great time to the team at Basalt, I will return!
  
 
       
   Flo Potter 
 11/06/2023
 
 
  Highly recommend. Such a great vibe and beautiful spot, friendly staff, delicious local food and wine. Wood fire outside welcomed us and cosy restaurant inside. Topped a really great day around Port Fairy. Thank you, we will definitely be back!
  
 
       
   David Shannon 
 10/06/2023
 
 
  A lovely little winery with friendly people and great wine, don't forget to pat Pat.
  
 
       
   Peter Veeken 
 07/05/2023
 
 
  We stopped here on our road trip to charge our EV.
The charger is advertised as being 22kW but we found it only charged at 6kW so was slow.
We had a coffee and the lady serving us was excellent.
We spent about an hour charging before the next leg of our holiday.
The fact that they have a charger is a great initiative.
  
 
       
   Joseph Nancarrow 
 07/05/2023
 
 
  Great wines and good service.

Only suggestion would be to discount the tasting ($10/head) if wine is bought, which is standard play at most other vineyards.
  
 
       
   Andrew Baudinette 
 06/05/2023
 
 
  Great food and good wines and good cigars too. Paid Electric vehicle charging. Limited operating hours now. Check the website.   Perfect place for an event.
  
 
       
   Miriam Kennedy 
 01/05/2023
 
 
  Lovely sharing board and really enjoyed their award winning Reisling.
  
 
       
   Gemma U 
 22/04/2023
 
 
  Friendly staff, nice jazz music, good wine...nice place to visit :)