Zonzo Estate — Yarra Valley's Most Creative and Unconventional Winery
Zonzo Estate is one of the Yarra Valley's most distinctive, innovative, and genuinely exciting wine producers — a winery that combines a deep commitment to cool-climate winemaking excellence with a restless creative spirit that has produced some of the most original and celebrated products in the Australian wine and drinks industry. From benchmark Yarra Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to a pioneering range of Italian varieties and a series of ready-to-drink aperitivo cocktails that have become roaring commercial successes, Zonzo Estate is a producer that consistently surprises, delights, and rewards those who seek something genuinely special.
History & Philosophy
Zonzo Estate is located in the Yering subregion of the Yarra Valley — one of Victoria's most celebrated and historically significant wine regions, located approximately 50 kilometres east of Melbourne in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. The estate's philosophy is built on two complementary pillars: a commitment to producing wines of genuine quality and regional character from the Yarra Valley's exceptional cool-climate fruit, and a dedication to creativity, innovation, and the exploration of new ideas that has produced some of the most original products in the Australian drinks market.
The Scoperta range — Italian for ‘to discover’ — was born from a desire to explore Italian grape varieties that are not only exciting and distinctive in their own right, but that may also prove more sustainable and better adapted to the Yarra Valley's changing climate than the traditional varieties of the region. By sourcing fruit from the King Valley, Heathcote, and other Victorian regions with established Italian variety plantings, Zonzo has created a range of wines that are genuinely unlike anything else produced in the Yarra Valley — wines of discovery, curiosity, and genuine character.
The estate's aperitivo and spritz range represents an equally bold creative vision — a series of ready-to-drink cocktails inspired by the Italian aperitivo tradition, crafted with the same attention to quality and flavour that defines the wine range. The Zoncello Limoncello Spritz, the Bellina Bellini Di Cristina, the Roro Aperitivo Spritz, and the Cicchio Pistacchio Spritz — the world's first pistachio spritz — have all become genuine commercial successes, introducing a new generation of drinkers to the pleasure of the Italian aperitivo moment in a uniquely Zonzo style.
The Region: Yarra Valley, Victoria
The Yarra Valley is one of Australia's most celebrated and historically significant cool-climate wine regions — the first wine region established in Victoria, with a history of viticulture stretching back to the 1830s. Located in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range approximately 50 kilometres east of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley's cool, maritime-influenced climate, diverse soils, and dramatic topography create ideal conditions for producing wines of exceptional finesse, aromatic complexity, and natural acidity.
The region's climate is one of the coolest of any Australian wine region, with average growing season temperatures comparable to Burgundy and Champagne in France. Cool summers, cold winters, and the moderating influence of altitude and the nearby Dandenong Ranges create a growing environment that is ideal for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wine production — the varieties for which the Yarra Valley is most celebrated. The region's soils are diverse, ranging from the rich, fertile alluvial soils of the valley floor to the shallow, well-drained clay loams of the upper slopes, each contributing different characters to the wines grown above them.
The Yarra Valley's cool climate and long, slow growing season allow grapes to ripen gradually while retaining the natural acidity, aromatic complexity, and structural elegance that define the regional style. Yarra Valley Pinot Noir is celebrated for its vibrant red fruit character, silky tannins, and the savoury, earthy complexity that develops with age. Yarra Valley Chardonnay is equally distinguished — elegant, mineral, and restrained, with a finesse and longevity that places it among the finest expressions of the variety in Australia.
Our Range
Estate Wines — Yarra Valley
Zonzo Estate Pinot Noir — Yarra Valley — A vibrant and expressive cool-climate Pinot Noir from the Yarra Valley's finest fruit. Vibrant ruby red with bright clarity. Spice, raspberry, sour cherry, strawberry, and red currant on the nose. Pomegranate, dried rose petal, and raspberry on the palate with fresh acidity and soft savoury tannins, with just enough oak to bring it all together. A natural partner for roasted duck, salmon, mushroom risotto, soft-rind cheeses, and charcuterie.
Zonzo Estate Chardonnay — Yarra Valley — A beautifully crafted cool-climate Chardonnay with careful oak handling that keeps the fruit expression front and centre. Pale gold with brilliant clarity. Meyer lemon, brioche, and white stone fruit aromas complemented by crisp green apple. Savoury spice intertwined with a classic Chardonnay profile of lemon and white stone fruit. Outstanding with salmon, roast chicken, creamy pasta, and soft cheeses.
Zonzo Estate Rosé — Yarra Valley — A dry, crisp, and beautifully perfumed Yarra Valley rosé. Pale pink with bright, fresh clarity. Strawberry, rose petals, apple, and savoury spice on the nose. Dry and crisp on the palate with juicy red berries, pomegranate, and rhubarb, with a touch of spice and refreshing acidity. Perfect with grilled salmon, prawn salads, and outdoor meals.
The Scoperta Range — Italian Varieties
The Scoperta range (‘to discover’) explores Italian grape varieties sourced from Victoria's finest Italian variety regions — King Valley and Heathcote — crafted in small batches with a winemaking approach that honours the Italian tradition while expressing the unique character of their Victorian origins.
Scoperta Pinot Grigio — Yarra & King Valleys — Elegant and mineral-driven. Pale straw with subtle green reflections. Delicate aromas of sea minerals, lemon zest, lychee, fresh pear skin, rose, and cardamom. Chalky, mineral-driven palate with crisp citrus acidity and flavours of lemon, pear, and subtle stone fruit. Outstanding with seafood, poultry, and Asian cuisine.
Scoperta Barbera — King Valley — Aromas of sour cherries, violets, and earthy dried herbs. Fresh and fruity on the palate with cherries dominating, fresh acidity, and a light, lively, medium-bodied character. Fermented in oak fermenters with 10% whole bunch. A summertime wine of genuine Italian character.
Scoperta Sangiovese — Heathcote — Soft aromas of spiced red fruits and plums with dark chocolate and subtle orange. Firm and fine savoury tannins match well with black cherry and berries. Classic Sangiovese fresh acidity and a bright, clean finish. Fermented in large-format oak and stainless steel, pressed on day 15 to older oak.
Scoperta Sagrantino — Heathcote — Rich, savoury, and dark fruit aromas of cherries and chocolate. Fine and powdery tannins, beautifully balanced between richness and the freshness of sour cherries and darker berry fruits. Sagrantino is an Italian variety indigenous to Umbria, Central Italy — one of the rarest and most tannic varieties in the world, and a genuinely extraordinary wine in the Zonzo Scoperta range. 93 Points, Phillip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion.
The Aperitivo Range — Italian-Inspired Cocktails
Zonzo's aperitivo range brings the Italian tradition of the pre-dinner drink to life in a uniquely creative and accessible format — ready-to-pour cocktails of genuine quality and flavour that have become some of the most talked-about and celebrated products in the Australian drinks market.
Zoncello Limoncello Spritz — Available in 750mL bottle and 200mL can. A vibrant and refreshing sparkling cocktail combining handmade Zoncello Limoncello — crafted from locally sourced lemons steeped in alcohol for two months — with Zonzo Estate Prosecco. Pale golden with lemon sherbet aromas and refreshing citrus character. Best served chilled over ice. A genuine crowd-pleaser and the perfect aperitivo.
Bellina Bellini Di Cristina — A ready-to-pour Bellini of genuine elegance, crafted from a balanced blend of ripe peach nectar and Prosecco. Vibrant orange colour with fine, lively bubbles. Generous peach nectar aroma and palate with a smooth, creamy texture and gentle Prosecco fizz. The traditional Italian aperitif, perfected and bottled.
Cicchio Pistacchio Spritz — The world's first pistachio spritz — a genuinely unique and innovative aperitivo of balanced notes of honey, melon, and pistachio. Made with natural ingredients, best chilled over ice. A Zonzo original that has become one of the most talked-about drinks in Australia.
Roro Aperitivo Spritz — A distinctively red-hued sparkling cocktail inspired by the great Italian aperitifs — Cinzano, Cynar, Montenegro. Bright citrus-driven aromas with subtle caramel undertones. Vibrant, fruit-forward, and refreshing. Outstanding with antipasti, charcuterie, and Italian appetisers.
How to Enjoy Zonzo Estate
The estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are best served at 14–16°C and 10–12°C respectively in generous varietal glasses. The Rosé is best well chilled at 8–10°C. The Scoperta reds are best at 16–18°C and pair magnificently with Italian-inspired food. The aperitivo range is best served well chilled over ice in a large wine glass or tumbler — the Limoncello Spritz and Bellini are outstanding aperitifs before any meal, while the Pistachio Spritz and Roro are perfect for long, leisurely afternoons in good company.
Explore our full Zonzo Estate range below and discover why this Yarra Valley winery has become one of Australia's most creative, celebrated, and genuinely original producers.
