Description
Vignerons Schmölzer & Brown is a quietly compelling Beechworth project founded by Tessa Brown and Jeremy Schmölzer, centred on a singular vision of high-altitude, site-driven winegrowing. Established in 2014, their Thorley vineyard sits among the highest plantings in Beechworth, rising above 700–800 metres and firmly positioning the estate within Australia’s cool-climate frontier.
From the outset, the focus has been resolutely vineyard-led. Farmed with organic principles and a deep respect for ecological balance, Thorley is treated as a living system, with the pair spending far more time among the vines than in the cellar. The altitude, granitic soils, and long growing season combine to produce fruit of natural acidity, fine structure, and pronounced mineral character.
Winemaking follows a “maximum consideration, minimal intervention” philosophy. Fermentations are wild, handling is gentle, and additions are kept to a minimum, allowing each site and season to speak clearly. Alongside estate wines, the range includes small parcels from nearby vineyards such as Brunnen and Whitlands, expanding the lens on regional expression.
The wines—particularly Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah—are defined by precision, energy, and an alpine-like freshness. Produced in small quantities, Vignerons Schmölzer & Brown represents a thoughtful, quietly ambitious voice in modern Australian wine.
