Chardonnay has always fascinated Patrick Sullivan for its ability to express place with clarity. Since his first vintage in 2013, he has been on a mission to craft Australia’s most expressive chardonnay: wines that reflect soil, season and site with precision and individuality.

Rooted in Gippsland’s wild, cool-climate terrain with ancient volcanic soils, Patrick’s approach is hands-on and detail-driven. He believes great wine is grown not made, and every season teaches him more about how vineyard choices, from soil health to pruning and canopy management, shape acidity, texture and balance.

Central to his work are vineyards such as Tumblestone Farm, Ada River and Bull Swamp, alongside carefully chosen sites in the Upper Yarra, Henty and Limestone Coast. Each vineyard offers unique soils, elevation
and aspect, providing the structure, freshness and minerality that define his chardonnay.

This laser-focus dedication to soil, site selection and viticulture was nurtured early on in Patrick Sullivan’s university studies, electing to study viticulture rather than oenology, which led to what would prove to be two life learnings. The first, that the fruit must always be the focus. Great wines are made in the vineyard – be as honest as you can to the vineyard. It’s not about ‘minimal intervention’, rather ‘maximum intervention’ in the vineyard. Pruning, leaf thinning, being out in the vineyard all the time to ensure the resultant wine is as reflective of the site as possible at that time and at that place. And secondly, after studying the benefits of its climate and noble red volcanic soils, was identifying that Gippsland – and in particular the Baw Baw Shire – was extremely well suited to premium, single-site Chardonnay.

Patrick’s journey began in the Yarra Valley, where he honed sustainable, site-focused viticulture. Returning to Gippsland to launch his eponymous label, he quickly gained a loyal following. Today, his wines invite you to connect with the land that inspires them, season by season, bottle by bottle.