Castagna

Filmmaker turned winegrower Julian Castagna and his wife Carolann founded Castagna in 1997, trading their city apartment for a caravan in the emerging Beechworth wine region. Today, their son Adam is making his mark on the business.

Castagna sits in the foothills of the Australian Alps at 500 metres altitude in ancient granitic soil. Once grazing land, it now grows five clones of Syrah, progeny of the original 1850s rootstock imported from the Rhône in France, as well as Viognier and Sangiovese. Farmed by Rudolf Steiner's biodynamic principles, their overarching focus is how the grapes are grown rather than how the wine is made.

Castagna's leading Genesis Syrah, rated Excellent in Langton's Classification, is reminiscent of Côte Rôtie in France. Other notables are the Ingenue Viognier and La Chiave Sangiovese.