Paul Osicka

The Osicka family arrived from Czechoslovakia in the early '50s. Vignerons in their own country, their vineyard in Australia was the first new venture in central and southern Victoria for over half a century. With the return of Simon Osicka to the family business, there have been substantial changes. Simon held senior winemaking positions at Houghton, Leasingham, and as group red winemaker for Constellation Wines Australia, interleaved with vintages in Italy, Canada, Germany and France, working at the prestigious Domaine Jean-Louis Chave for the ’10 vintage. The fermentation of the red wines has changed from static to open fermenters and French oak has replaced American. Extensive retrellising of the 65yo estate plantings is now complete. Paul Osicka, Simon’s father, passed away in '19 after 50 vintages and over 60 years of involvement in the vineyards. -JAMES HALLIDAY