Generation 10
Making wine is, and always has been, a family affair for the Portets. Now, as tenth generation winemaker Ben Portet returns to his family’s Yarra Valley winery, the legacy continues.
Dominique Portet, is of the ninth recorded generation in a family of vignerons dating back to eighteenth century France. Arriving in Australia in 1976, where he quickly became an integral part of the Victorian wine industry. Dominique believes that a love of winemaking tradition has developed from ‘the boys growing up amongst vineyards, wine, food and family.’ he explains ‘ wine is part of life, it has a cycle from the earth to our table, it’s something to love’.
Thirty One year old Ben Portet, has a degree in Oenology from Adelaide University and fluent in French, has gained impressive winemaking experience, both locally and internationally. He was fortunate enough to be under the direction of Brian Croser and Con Moshos at Petaluma winery, completing four vintages while still at university. In addition, he has worked in illustrious world wine regions, including Bordeaux, with Philippe Blanc from Chateau Beychevelle. Philippe worked at Taltarni with Dominique in the 80’s. Ben worked in Reims with Louis Roederer, learning what makes champagne so unique and moved on to the Rhone Valley, specialising in the Syrah of Hermitage.
Ben’s training continued to the New World travelling to Stellenbosch, in South Africa to the marvelous Warwick Estate for vintage, where wine is a passion, along with cricket!
Finally Ben travelled to the Napa Valley to Vineyard 29, an exclusive St Helena winery where he enhanced his knowledge from a technical perspective. Ben explained, “ I had one foot planted firmly in tradition and the other in the latest scientific developments.” Nearby, his uncle Bernard Portet at Clos du Val became a mentor to the young Portet. Together they share many aspects of wine and its future. A true empathy with the grape!
Ben will ensure that Dominique Portet winery will maintain its place deeply seated in Australian soil but with respect for the combined experience of his forebears from France and his Father and Uncle’s pioneering spirit. It’s a symbolic international journey of entwining generations through wine.
