Meletos | Winemaker of the Month, April - May 2023

Here at Meletos, each month, we select a local Yarra Valley winery to highlight on our wine list. This is to acknowledge the wonderful work of some local icons and showcase the incredible wines being produced by some of the wineries in the stunning region we call home. 

This past month, we have celebrated the wines, and works of Dominic Valentine of Valentine Wines. After his time spent learning the art of Riesling from winemakers in the German region of Rheingau, he came back inspired to create similarly textured and layered wines, but with a uniquely Australian interpretation, and so Valentine Wines was born. Dom seeks to produce wines that truly reflect the year and season in which they were grown, and that honor the area and site in which they are produced. We selected his iconic Riesling and rich Grenache as our feature wines this month. Dom describes the riesling as a layered, textural beast of a wine. Barrel & stainless steel fermented, combined with some skin contact creates a zesty, zingy riesling that brings a grippy mouthfeel allowing the length of flavor to linger on the palate. The Grenache, as he would describe it, is identified by its highly unique tannin structure. Picking the fruit earlier to retain natural acidity, along with some whole bunch pressing, this grenache gives bright red fruits, complemented by the combination of acidity and tannins. 

Dom is one of those people you meet that is just so keen to share their knowledge and passion for all things wine. His own passion for wine, and wine making was ignited in Margaret River, with his time spent working in some well known wineries and under the mentorship of some industry greats. He acknowledges the great influence these mentors had in fostering his passion for wine and the wine industry. Dom now generously fosters others' passion for wine through industry events, even kindly offering his knowledge, story and time to our staff here at Meletos, of which we are so appreciative. 

Dom believes wine is best enjoyed over good food and with good friends. His wines are made with the thought, desire and intention to compliment a beautifully and lovingly prepared meal, one that has been created in the effort of providing an experience for the guests. 

So, come join us at Meletos, for a glass of Dom’s delicious wine, a lovely meal, and let us create a beautiful experience for you and your guests.