Veteran winemaker David Traeger began his life in the Australian wine industry in 1973. After working as a winemaker for both major and smaller wine companies, in 1986, he established his namesake wine business. After selling his eponymous “David Traeger” brand, he has re-established himself as a small independent winemaker. His aim is to produce limited volumes of elegant and distinctive wines, working with grapes from vineyards that attain the finest fruit character.

Victoria is one of Australia’s most diverse and dynamic wine states, boasting over 20 distinct wine regions. Its varied climate ranges from cool maritime influences along the coast to warmer inland areas, allowing for a wide array of grape varieties and styles. Cool-climate regions like the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, and Macedon Ranges produce elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, often with bright acidity, fine structure, and complex citrus, stone fruit, and red berry flavours. Warmer zones such as Rutherglen and Heathcote excel with robust Shiraz, offering rich plum, blackberry, and spice notes, while also producing acclaimed fortified wines.

Victoria’s soils are equally diverse—from ancient volcanic clay-loams in Heathcote, imparting depth and minerality, to sandy loams in the Yarra Valley, lending finesse and aromatic lift. The Grampians and Beechworth yield distinctive, cool-climate Shiraz with peppery complexity, while King Valley’s Italian heritage has made it a hub for varieties like Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, and Prosecco, delivering wines with vibrant fruit and savoury nuance.

This diversity in terroir and climate fosters a thriving culture of experimentation and small-scale, artisan winemaking. Victoria’s wines are known for their balance, elegance, and strong sense of place, offering everything from crisp sparkling wines to richly textured reds.

Verdelho is a white grape variety with a long and distinguished history, originating in Portugal, where it is most famously associated with the fortified wines of Madeira. Believed to have been introduced from mainland Portugal to the island in the 15th century, Verdelho quickly became one of the classic varieties used in Madeira’s medium-dry styles, prized for its balance of acidity and flavour intensity.

Viticulturally, Verdelho is a relatively vigorous variety, though it is susceptible to powdery mildew and requires careful canopy management to achieve optimal ripeness. It thrives in warm, sunny climates where it develops concentration without losing its naturally high acidity. The bunches are typically small to medium in size, with thick-skinned berries that contribute to its aromatic depth and resilience during vinification.

Today, Verdelho is grown not only in Madeira but also across mainland Portugal, notably in the Douro and Dão regions, where it is valued in fresh, still white wines. Outside Europe, it has found success in Australia, particularly in regions such as the Hunter Valley and Langhorne Creek, producing vibrant, aromatic whites. Stylistically, Verdelho wines are marked by bright acidity, citrus and tropical fruit notes, often with hints of spice and a refreshing, zesty character.