Heritage
Lillydale Estate is one of the oldest vineyards in the Upper Yarra Valley; a historically respected regional brand; and a sentimental favourite of industry stalwarts and long-time Yarra Valley conoisseurs.
The vineyard was originally planted by scientists and winemakers, Alex White and Martin Grinbergs in 1976, to Riesling, Gewurztraminer, a trial block of multiple clones of Pinot Noir and three clones of Chardonnay.
The early Rieslings were regular trophy winners and Lillydale Estate Chardonnays are recognised as being at the forefront of the world-class reputation that Yarra Valley Chardonnays now enjoy. The estate was also famous for its Gewurztraminer wines, and renowned at one stage as the largest grower of the variety in the Southern Hemisphere.
McWilliams Wines purchased Lillydale Estate in 1985, and their wines continued to enjoy significant success on the national stage, including the Best Table Wine Trophy for the 2005 Lillydale Estate Chardonnay at the 2006 National Wine Show, a particular coup given the big red wine fashion at the time. Their 2012 Tightrope Walker Chardonnay, made from Lillydale Estate fruit, was the Best Young Dry White Table Wine of Show at the 2013 Melbourne Wine Show.
The discovery of phylloxera in the Yarra Valley in 2008, saw a change of focus by NSW based McWilliams Wines and the vineyard was largely left to its own devices and fell into disrepair. The Lillydale Estate label was discontinued and the property was sold in late 2012.
