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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.
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THE Monichino family sadly farewelled their father, grandfather and founding winemaker Carlo Monichino who passed away on Friday, August 28th.
Carlo was a true pioneer of winemaking in the Goulburn Valley wine region. He first migrated to Australia from the renowned wine growing region of Piedmonte 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 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”. He recognised the need to refrigerate his harvest, to maintain the integrity of the grapes; creating his own refrigerated field crusher made from cows milk vats welded together and powered by the farm’s tractor. 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 winemaking 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.
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The business kept growing and demand for his wines continued with constant experiments with various grapes and wine varieties. He was rewarded with many trophies and medals. The stand out was the Chris Killeen Trophy for best Australian Vintage fortified red.
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 finally conceded that his son Terry could make wine in his own right when he won a Trophy for best Chardonnay in 2001, so the winery continues with a competent winemaker.
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 the 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 Carlo’s life was one big holiday because he loved what he did.” quote by Doug McKeown, family friend.
We now have the hard job of tasting all of Carlo’s museum fortified wines to select one special enough to represent him as a tribute wine to be bottled and labelled in his honour. We will keep everyone posted.
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AWARD WINNER
2012 Monichino Chardonnay
The Monichino family was honoured to receive the award for their 2012 Monichino Chardonnay, winning best in its class, on Tuesday the 15th of September at the Dookie Wine Show Awards dinner.
Monichinos have been experimenting with its wild fermented Chardonnay for years and now this wine has won best in its class for over four years in a row.
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WINE CLUB
THE Monichino Wine Club offers loyal customers of the winery generous discounts on wine orders by the dozen. The great news is that it costs you othing to join.
All you have to do is place an order for a minimum of a dozen wines, every three, six or twelve months and enjoy the benefits.
Join now
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DEGUSTATION DINNER
Saturday 12th March 2016
MONICHINO Wines are working in conjunction with Moira Shire and the Melbourne Food and wine festival to present a weekend of celebrations to promote our farmgate producers.
Monichino Wines will be hosting a Farmgate to Plate Degustation Dinner, Saturday March 12th 2016.
For more information look up our events page www.monichino.com.au
Price $120 per head.
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IT'S FINALLY HERE
Monichino Cafe Tramontino open Wednesday to Sunday
11.30 to 3.00pm
MONICHINO Wines is very excited to announce the upcoming opening of our Monichino Cafe Tramontino. Sample our modern European menu using local products created by Executive Chef, Ryan Gibson.
After spending time travelling and working in France and Europe, Ryan has spent the last few years in the Goulburn Valley area and is passionate about utilising and showcasing the produce that the area has to offer.
But where did the name come from? When Carlo Monichino first came to the Katunga property in 1962 and began building his winery he originally named it Tramontino Vineyard, which translates from Italian to English as “little sunset”.
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BOOK YOUR CHRISTMAS FUNCTION NOW!
SILLY season is fast approaching and with spaces already filling fast it’s time to book your Christmas party at Monichino Wines!
Enjoy modern European cuisine prepared for you amidst the nostalgic atmosphere of the Barrel Room, or for smaller functions the warm charm of our Cellar Door is perfect for an intimate setting.
To book phone Monichino Wines on (03) 5864 6452 or email functions@monichino.com.au
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THE GIFT OF WINE
Christmas is almost here and wine makes a special and personal gift. You can never have enough wine!
CHOOSE from our large selection online, or look up our stockists in the country and city section on our website, www.monichino.com.au,
for retail sales.
Better still visit our cellar door and taste a quality wine with our friendly staff who can also help with your selection.
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New Release 2013 Monichino Riesling
Appearance | Light bright lemon
Aroma | Apple, lime and citrus
Palate | Lemon, lime and subtle passionfruit
Price | $16 per bottle
Tasting notes:
The aroma consists of fresh apple, lime and lemon followed by lemon and tart apple flavours onto the palate. This wine will prove to be very refreshing particularly during the sommer months. Cellaring potential 5-8 years. Great with seafood, chicken or Asian dishes.
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New release 2015 Monichino Sauvignon Blanc
Appearance | Pale straw coloured
Aroma | Lemon, green apple, nashi fruit & passionfruit
Palate | Passionfruit, lychee and citrus
Price | $15 bottle
Tasting notes:
A typical Sauvignon Blanc displaying aromas of passionfruit, lychees and citrus aromas fuse with the crisp delicate flavours of lemon, green apple and nashi fruit.The lingering palate and abundance of natural flavours allow the wine to stand alone or as an accompaniment to food. Serve with Thai style dishes or seafood.
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Monichino 2013 Pinot Grigio
Appearance | Pale straw, viscous
Aroma | Floral, Lychee and spice
Palate | Mouth filling spicy, lychee, lengthy soft finish
Price | $19 bottle
Tasting notes:
This is another exciting and powerful wine with lots of intense, complex flavours. The aroma is floral with hints of stone fruits, lychees and spice, while the palate, is clean, crisp and refreshing. Good length and finish. Cellaring potential 5 years. Serve with antipasto, tapas, cream sauce pastas.
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Monichino 2014 Rose
Appearance | Light red
Aroma | Strawberrys and cherrys
Palate | Strawberry, cherry and Spice
Price | $12 bottle
Tasting notes:
This is a new release Rose. A light fresh crisp style displaying flavours of strawberries, cherries and white peach. A wine for almost any occasion that can be enjoyed with a wide range of dishes. Try with risotto or a curry, warm chicken salad or fish and chips. Served Chilled.
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Monichino 2013 Sangiovese
Appearance | Light brick
Aroma | Raspberry and cherry
Palate | Well structured with forward tannin, balanced by sharp acid and backed with a combination of raspberry and boysenberry fruit, with cherry and spice
Price | $19 bottle
Tasting notes:
Colour, palate, texture and flavour are skilfully balanced to show how the classic Italian grape variety Sangiovese has come of age in Australia. The generous fruit aromas hint at the complexities and richness of the palate, combining tannin and the piquancy of raspberry, guava and cherry, enhanced by subtle oak to create an explosion of flavour. Cellaring 5-7 years. Serve with antipasto, tapas, salami, fish or chicken.
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Monichino 2012 Cabernet Merlot
Appearance | Dark Ruby Red
Aroma | Blackberry, ripe cherries & chocolate
Palate | Berries, dark chocolate and spice
Price | $17 bottle
Tasting notes:
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot aged in both French and American oak.The nose has charactertic blackberry, ripe cherries and dark chocolate. The smooth rich flavours of berries and dark chocolate with a hint of spice on the palate, complemented by a long lingering finish. Match with roast lamb or goat dishes. Cellaring 7 years.
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