The DiGiorgio family, originally from the Abruzzo region of Italy, settled in the Limestone coast during the 1950’s. Since then they have built a successful pastoral business, and are one of the largest land owners in the region. The family turned their attention to viticulture in 1989, when they pioneered the first vine plantings on their property at Lucindale. Today, the Lucindale vineyard comprises a total of 126ha, and is a truly majestic sight, set amongst old growth eucalypts and gently undulating countryside.
Their passion for viticulture and obsession with producing the highest quality wines is demonstrated in their vineyard development and management practices. The family believes that you cannot make great wine from ordinary grapes, and that commitment to lower yields and maximum fruit expression is the secret to quality wine production. During the 1990’s, fruit from the Lucindale vineyard was initially sold to major wine companies in the Limestone coast, before the decision was taken for the DiGiorgio family to produce their own range of wines in 1998.
In March 2002, the DiGiorgio family purchased the historic Rouge Homme winery and 13.5ha of surrounding vineyards in the heart of Coonawarra. The Shiraz and Cabernet plantings at Coonawarra are some of the oldest in the district, dating back to 1963, while the other varieties were planted in 1979. From these older vines, planted in famous ‘Terra Rossa’ soil, the newest range of DiGiorgio wines are made. The picture became complete when Peter Douglas joined the team as head winemaker in 2004. Peter’s extensive knowledge of the region, and skills as a winemaker gained from 14 years at the helm of Wynns, has injected a new dimension of quality and style to the DiGiorgio portfolio.
2010 James Halliday Wine Companion
4 ½ Star Winery
Sterita Park is the name of the DiGiorgio Family’s property at Lucindale. The Sterita wines are made to be approachable, versatile and food friendly. Fruit is sourced from the younger vines on the Lucindale vineyard. The Unoaked Chardonnay is light, tropical and lively, while the Shiraz combines cool climate style and elegance with richness, complexity and structure, and the Cabernet Merlot is a full flavoured, softly textured wine.
2006 Sterita Cabernet Merlot
90 Points – James Halliday Wine Companion, 2010
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The ‘Lucindale’ range has gradually been expanded, and now covers a wide spectrum of varieties and styles. The ‘blush’ NV Pinot Noir/Chardonnay goes from strength to strength, driven by it’s distinctive strawberries and cream character and sheer drinkability. The Chardonnay is a beguiling wine, showing great youth and poise for a wine of this age. The Cabernet Sauvignon continues to impress, with it’s distinctive eucalypt and peppermint fragrance, ripeness and complexity. Not to be overlooked also is the Sparkling Merlot, a crowd pleaser if ever there was one. The 2002 Francesco is a truly great achievement, showing the potential of Lucindale to produce world class wines of stellar quality and received a Top Gold Medal at the 2006 Royal Adelaide Wine Show.
2005 Coonawarra Sparkling Pinot Noir
Trophy Winner - Advertiser/Hyatt awards - Best Sparkling in SA
The 2008 Sparkling Pinot Noir is a great fusion of style and quality. It has lifted strawberry and cherry characters, balanced by delicate baked bread yeasty complexity. The Shiraz, from dry grown vineyards, is a classical cool climate example and has impressed those who rate elegance over sheer power. Emporio is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. As with the other Coonawarra reds, it was open fermented in old concrete vats, followed by 24 months maturation in French oak.
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2005 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
94 Points – James Halliday Wine Companion, 2010
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2005 Coonawarra Shiraz
93 Points – James Halliday Wine Companion, 2010
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2004 Coonawarra Emporio
4.5 Stars and Best in Class – Winestate Magazine, Nov 2008
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