Australia’s Victoria ‘has great potential for Cabernet’

Oscar Rosa, co-owner and winemaker of Mount Cathedral Vineyards in the Upper Goulburn area of Victoria, believes the region can produce world-class Cabernet Sauvignon that can rival some of its more well-known neighbours in Coonawarra and Margaret River.

From left to right: Nic Arena and Oscar Rosa

Located in the northern part of the Great Dividing Range, the 22-year-old winery makes two ranges of wines including a ‘reserve’ range of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, in addition to a ‘non-reserve’ range of Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, a Bordeaux blend and a rosé wine from central Victoria, with its Cabernet being the most popular wine domestically and the export market, according to Rosa.

“We receive more sunlight hours during the growing season, resulting in better ripening conditions for later ripening varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon,” he explained.

On average, Rosa said, during growing season, there are roughly more than 1,200 hours of sunlight.

Comparing latitude and soil type, Rosa believes central Victoria shares similar soil type and latitude to Coonawarra, where the ample sunlight, terroir and climate provided ideal condition to growing Cabernet Sauvignon.

Mount Cathedral Vineyards’ wine range

Located 300 metres above sea level on the northern part of the Cathedral Ranges, the winery has a total of 12 acres of land under vine with seven acres planted with Cabernet Sauvignon grape.

Its wines are currently sold in Singapore but are not yet available in Hong Kong and mainland China, according to Rosa, however, he is sanguine about the unlimited potential of the Chinese market, where it has already become the biggest export market for Australian wines by value.

In 2019, tariffs on Australian wines are going to be completely scrapped based on the two countries’ Free Trade Agreement, which is expected to further boost Australian wine exports to China.

Eyeing up the opportunities, Rosa is confident that its food friendly wines are a good match for Asian cuisine.

“We make wines with the intention to go with food. Hong Kong and China are renowned for their cuisine. Our wines were made to be consumed with food, so it’s the perfect marriage,” he explains.

Founded in 1995, the winery was ranked as a ‘5 Star Winery’ in James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion in both 2014 and 2015.

Mount Cathedral will be showcasing its whole range of wines at this year’s Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair at HKCEC at booth 3C-B20.

In addition to its wines, the winery will be debuting the ‘Premium Wine Producing Experience’, a holistic food and wine programme, where two people will have the chance to travel in business class to Melbourne, Victoria and the central Victoria to get first-hand experiences in making a personalised pallet of premium quality of wines at the winery in addition to dining.

The 2017 Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair will kick off on 9 November until 11 November.