Rob Dolan

‘Real people, real wine, real character’ was the philosophy behind Rob Dolan’s new venture. After twenty-five years finessing his craft for some of Australia’s most respected wine labels, 2010 marked a significant milestone in Rob’s career – the year to launch his own label, aptly titled Rob Dolan Wines.

In 2011 Rob was able to purchase the Hardys Yarra Burn winery located in South Warrandyte, just 30 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD. The Winery came well equipped and runs as a fully functioning state of the art winemaking facility capable of processing more than 1,000 tonnes each vintage.

2012 saw the release of the first Rob Dolan wines from vintage 2010 crafted from fruit grown by friends and grape growers who have supported Rob throughout his time in the Yarra Valley. 2012 was also the first year Rob put his new Winery to the test.

“The cheers and applause for Rob Dolan on the night suggest such accolades have been a long time coming”.  In 2013 Rob Dolan Wines was announced the 2014 Winner – Newcomer Winery of the Year at the James Halliday Australian Wine Companion Awards, one of four major awards on the night. The win reaffirmed Rob had made the right decision to launch his own label in receiving such a prestigious award in the early stages of building the brand.

The brand continues to grow and 2014 sees the launch of a state of the art new Website and plans in place for the opening of a Cellar Door in the not too distant future. In the meantime Rob and his team are more than happy to conduct tastings at the Winery by appointment.

YARRALAND, CHIRNSIDE PARK

Proprietors: D’Aloisio Family

This family owned property sits proudly in a prime location with sweeping views over the Yarra Valley. The property was planted to Strawberries in the early 1990’s and eventually the family decided to branch out to vineyards (pun intended). The first plantings were Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon in 1994 and later in the 90’s Chardonnay, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Merlot followed. More recently some of the Cabernet was grafted to produce popular Italian Varietals including Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Barbera and Tempranillo.

YERING PARK, YERING

Proprietors: Trevor + Elspeth Hill 

Originally home to cattle and Texan Angoras this picturesque North facing site lends itself to warm days and cool nights. It was only a matter of time before the Hill Family, who have owned the site for over 30 years, planted the entire vineyard to Cabernet Sauvignon in 1997. There are currently 5 acres under vine producing high calibre fruit year in and out.

IMMERSE, DIXONS CREEK

Proprietors: Steve + Helen Myles

The purchase of this unique property almost 15 years ago enabled the Myles family to create a boutique lifestyle destination where lovers of food and wine can Immerse themselves in the best of the Yarra Valley. The 23 acre vineyard planted in 1989 is home to Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz. Immerse was hard hit by the 2009 bushfires with majority of the buildings burnt to the ground and all of the fruit destroyed; with help from the local community the Myles family rose from the ashes to rebuild and restore the property and lovingly tend to the vineyard which has now bounced back to yet again produce high quality fruit year in and out.

BOAT O’ CRAGIO, HEALESVILLE + KANGAROO GROUND

Proprietor: Steven Graham | Vineyard Manager: Andrew Mills 

Two stunning Family owned Vineyards in the Yarra Valley. The high altitude Healesville site currently boasts 20 acres under vine, mainly planted to White Varietals including three clones of Chardonnay, two clones of Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir. Kangaroo Ground also boasts 20 acres under vine and is mainly planted to Red Varietals to make the most of its rich, volcanic soils, including Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Viognier. Andrew Mills (pictured) currently manages both sites for the family.

WILLOWLAKE, GLADYSDALE

Proprietor: Jo Goodman | Viticulturist: Tim Wray 

Down a winding dirt road just outside the Township of Gladysdale proudly sits the family owned Willowlake Vineyard boasting some of the earliest plantings in the Yarra Valley. Elevated at 300 metres the property was mainly planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in 1979, the owners later went on to plant Sauvignon Blanc and other Pinot Noir clones and currently have a total of 80 acres under vine. Viticulturist Tim Wray (pictured) has been managing the vineyard for over 8 years.

HJ ESTATE, GRUYERE

Proprietors: Helen + Joey Xu | Vineyard Manager: Peter McRobert 

Alongside a hilly dirt road in Gruyere this family owned property was first planted to vines in 1996 and again in 1998. With sweeping views of the Yarra Valley and a total of 85 acres under vine the site is home to numerous varietals including Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Peter McRobert (pictured) manages the Vineyard for the family and has lived locally for over 20 years.

Rob Dolan has been making wine in the Yarra Valley for over 20 years. He has an outstanding winemaking record and has played a pivotal role in the evolution of the Yarra Valley. Rob’s first experience in the Yarra Valley was as senior Winemaker at Yarra Ridge Winery, one of the success stories of the 90’s and the benchmark Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of its time. During this time Rob managed the entire Victorian Winemaking operation for Mildara Blass (Fosters).

Rob went on to build two more contract winemaking ventures and in doing so launched two highly successful Yarra Valley brands – Sticks and Punt Road. (“Sticks” being Rob’s nickname as a premiership ruckman with Port Adelaide Football Club… don’t hold that against him!) In 2011 Rob purchased the former Hardy’s Yarra Burn winery and launched the Rob Dolan range of wines. 

Rob is a well known Yarra Valley identity (he’s hard to miss) and arguably one of the most experienced Winemaker in the region.

The Yarra Valley is known as a Cool Climate region with dominant rainfall in winter/spring and a relatively cool, dry, summer. Cool Climate regions are typically known for producing wines with intense varietal characteristics due to the long, slow ripening periods.

Generally speaking each vintage in the Yarra Valley is a good one, however they do have their own challenges. 

There are key elements at play to produce quality wines each year which include sourcing fruit from different vineyards across the region and only sourcing fruit from well managed vineyards, which regardless of weather conditions consistently produce fruit of a high quality.