The Monichino family sadly fare welled their father, grandfather and Founding winemaker Carlo Monichino on Friday, August 28th 2015.
Carlo was a true pioneer of wine making in the Goulburn Valley wine region. He first migrated to Australia from the renowned wine growing region of Piemonte in the Asti region from Northern Italy in 1949, when he was just 18 years old.
In 1962 , his dream came to fruition at a property in Katunga where Carlo developed not only a vineyard, but a winery and created his well-known brand of unique, Goulburn Valley wines.
Through hard work and a labour of love, he and wife Margaret established the vineyard, which flourished, and in 1972 Carlo opened his cellar door, the only one in the area at the time.
Over the years, Carlo continued to grow new varieties and to innovate “beyond his years”. Among other things, he recognised the need to refrigerate his harvest, to maintain the integrity of the grapes; creating his own refrigerated field crusher made from two milk vats welded together and powered by the farm’s tractor to keep the handpicked grapes cool to avoid oxidation. This was one of Carlo’s many innovations.
Carlo was the first applicant for a vignerons licence in the Goulburn Valley after the war; after studying wine making at Dookie College. His legacy will continue to live on with the winery now producing 27 varieties of wine, all bearing the Monichino name-a testament to the triumphs of dreams come true.
The business kept growing and demand for his wines continued with constant experiments with various grapes and wine varieities. He was rewarded with many trophies and medals. The stand out was the Chris Killeen Trophy for best Australian Vintage fortified red in 2008, plus many others.
In 2001 Carlo received a centenary medal for services to the wine industry. This was one of the biggest highlights of his professional career.
Carlo was well known for his charismatic personality and enjoyed every ones company, especially the ladies, I am sure our customers have some happy memories of their visits to Monichino winery.
One of his great pleasures in his old age was to ride his motor bike around his vineyard, even though he could hardly walk.
When asked the secret of his success he replied “hard work and no holidays”.
“I think Carlos life was one big holiday because he loved what he did.”
-Doug McKeown family friend
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Award winning 2012 Monichino Chardonnay
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The 2012 Monichino Chardonnay has just won another award, winning best in it's class at the Dookie Wine Show in September. This is the fourth year in a row the Monichino Chardonnay has won best in its class at this particular show.
This classic full bodied, rich and enticing Chardonnay is perfect drinking for the season with its lush American oak & vanilla aromas. Burnt honey, melon & peach merge in a rich flavour filled combination with the wine's buttery, malolactic characteristics. A fantastic refreshing Chardonnay for the upcoming warm weather.
Wholesale price $11.29 per bottle or $105.00 per dozen
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The 2013 Monichino Riesling is perfect drinking for Spring with the refreshing aroma's and flavours of fresh apple, lemon & lime; perfect for the warmer weather.
Wholesale price $11.29 per bottle or $105.00 per dozen
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For orders please phone:
Country Regional rep Anna (03) 58 646 452
Melbourne rep Sasha 0402 140 627
Shepparton & District rep Chris 0414 314 868
Echuca & District rep Melissa 0459 319 958
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