Bittern Estate Wines

Bittern Estate, the Mornington Peninsula’s leading producer of varietal wines, the vineyard was established in 1997 by the Zerbe family. Working with winemakers Alex White and Carl Tiesdell-Smith, their aim is to make a range of wines that best express the distinctive nature of the grape varieties and of the region. Bittern Estate produces nine varietal wines: chardonnay, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, gewürztraminer, arneis, moscato, dolcetto, shiraz, and tempranillo. Garry comes from generations of orchardists. “I wanted something to grow that wouldn’t walk around, moo, or jump fences.” Vines were the answer. They fascinate him – “so much more responsive than apples”. He is well aware of the virtues of the vineyard site, partly because he has owned the Bittern site since 1959. It was one of the family orchards, growing apples and pears.